KB:   PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION

The School Committee recognizes that a student’s education is a responsibility shared by the school, the student, and the family.  Research indicates that involvement of parents in support of the children’s education increases student achievement.  Schools and parents must work as partners if the school system is to meet its goal of educating students effectively.

It is the intent of the School Committee that the school system  promote parent involvement by:

A.    Supporting meaningful two-way communication between school and home;

B.    Promoting responsible parenting;

C.    Encouraging parents to play an integral role in assisting student learning;

D.    Assisting parents in their efforts to support, reinforce, and extend their children’s learning;

E.    Providing opportunities for parent input in school programs and curriculum;

F.   Respecting parents as partners in decisions affecting children and families;

G.  Welcoming parents as visitors to the schools;

H.    Engaging in meaningful parent-teacher communications to discuss student progress toward meeting state and national standards, individual instructional needs and student welfare issues;

I.     Communicating with parents about school system policies and regulations;

J.     Encouraging parents to volunteer in the schools and school-related activities;

K.    Encouraging parent involvement through PTO groups and School Committee and school advisory committees;

L.    Supporting appropriate professional development opportunities that enable staff members to increase the effectiveness of parent involvement and communication strategies;

M.   Encouraging school administrators to set expectations and create a climate conducive to parent participation;

N.   Developing methods to accommodate and support parent involvement for parents with special needs, such as limited English proficiency; and

The School Committee expects parents to:

A.   Make every effort to provide for the physical and emotional well being of their children;

B.    Establish a home environment that supports learning and appropriate behavior;

C.    Strive to prepare the student emotionally and socially so that the student is receptive to learning, discipline, and behavioral expectations;

D.    Have students attend school regularly and on time;

E.   Help students to develop good study habits;

F.    Monitor their student’s learning progress;

G.   See that their child participates in remedial activities and/or additional instruction, as recommended, in order to provide them with the opportunity to progress toward meeting the standards;

H.    Review their children’s homework and reinforce academic skills;

I.    Become familiar with school rules and procedures;

J.    Discuss problems and concerns with appropriate persons;

K.    Participate in conferences and parent meetings with teachers and other professional staff;

L.     To foster a positive outlook on learning in their children;

M.   When possible, volunteer in the schools and/or in support of school activities;

N.    When possible, participate in PTO groups, advisory committees and other opportunities to support student learning; and

Adopted:        May 7, 2013

Cross Reference: KBF - Parent Involvement in Title I