STUDENT SUCCESS
OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS
COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT
LAST REVISED: October 4, 2014
This toolkit will be revised/updated frequently. Please be sure to check the PIO Marketing & Communication Center at web/communications for the most up-to-date version.
Information about the SSOS initiative is also available on the District’s public website at http://www.browardschools.com/BCPS-Spotlights/Student-Success-Opportunity-Schools.
About the Student Success Opportunities Schools (SSOS) Initiative
Launched in the 2012/13 school year and continuing, the SSOS initiative reviews and redesigns educational opportunities within a community inclusive process for students, families, and communities. The SSOS initiative includes:
· Schools identified by the State (also referred to as priority schools) based on the FCAT results from the previous school year.
· Schools identified by the District (also referred to as local restructuring) based on a variety of factors, which could include enrollment, school climate, environment, local conditions, etc.
This toolkit is intended to provide standard templates and content that can be customized for distribution to parents, staff and community members.
Section 1: Schools identified by the State (also referred to as priority schools). These are schools that have been identified based on the FCAT results from the previous school year. Section 1 begins on page 3.
Section 2: Schools identified by the District (also referred to as local restructuring) based on a variety of factors, which could include enrollment, school climate, environment, local conditions, etc. Section 2 begins on page 8.
Section 3: All schools - Translations (Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese). Section 3 begins on page 13.
· Flyer:
o English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole
· Parentlink/Brief Newsletter or Website messages
· Symposium/Community meeting(s) schedule
Section 4: All schools - SSOS Overview Information. Section 4 begins on page 17.
· English
· Spanish
· Haitian-Creole
· Portuguese
All flyer templates, photos, pdfs and other items are now available online in the PIO Marketing & Communications Center at web/communications.
Look for the SSOS section to access a variety of templates.
SECTION 1: State Identified Schools (also referred to as priority schools)
CHECKLIST TO PLAN FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Directions: Please insert date of completion on the line before each activity and return to Office of Service Quality prior to the meeting for State compliance documentation.
Date Completed One Month Before Meeting
______Create a community members’ contact list (include Board Members of Homeowners’ Associations, local athletic clubs, school partners, community agencies that support the school, local business members, etc.)
______Place article in school newsletter or local newspapers
______Flyers mailed or emailed to community contact list
Date Completed Two Weeks Before Meeting
______Post FAQs on school website and/or in school newsletter
______Phone calls to key stakeholders (PTSA President, SAC Chair, Community Contacts, etc.)
Date Completed Week Before Meeting
______Message to parents sent via ParentLink
______Posted on school marquee
______Reminder flyers sent home
Date Completed One Day Before Meeting
______Follow-up message to parents via ParentLink
Day of Meeting
c Check on child care, custodial and security arrangements, including reserved parking for Board Member, Superintendent, City Officials, or other VIPs.
c LCD projector and screen set up
c Bathrooms supplied and open for community use
c Signage for meeting
c Sign-in sheets available
THINGS TO CONSIDER TO INCREASE PARENT INVOLVEMENT
c Incentives for attendance offered to families (raffles, snacks, drinks, give-aways, etc.)
c Arrange for childcare to be available the night of the meeting (if needed)
Key Message 1: Please join us at a meeting to discuss potential changes for our school that may occur for the next school year.
Key Message 2: Attendees have the opportunity to help redesign the educational opportunities for your child(ren) and all of the students at [insert school name].
ParentLink (robo call)
Option One:
Greetings Parents and Guardians,
This is {insert name}, principal of {insert school name}, with an important invitation.
On {insert date} at {insert location}, a meeting will take place to discuss potential changes to our school. This meeting is part of the District’s Student Success Opportunity School initiative, which aims to enhance student learning opportunities.
Your input in this process is very important and I encourage you to make plans to attend. Once again, the meeting takes place on {insert date} at {insert location}. It begins at {insert time}.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Option Two:
Greetings Parents and Guardians,
This is {insert your name}, principal {or designee} of {insert school name}.
I would like to invite you to the Student Success Opportunity School meeting on {insert date, time and location}. Student Success Opportunity School (SSOS) meetings allow us to design new, innovative educational opportunities for {insert school name} students.
The meeting is on {insert date/time} at {insert location}.
Your involvement and your ideas are very important to us. We look forward to seeing you on {insert meeting day/date} for the meeting!
School Marquee
Option One:
Important Meeting About Possible Changes To Our School
{insert day/date/location}
Option Two:
Important Meeting About Our School
{insert day/date/location}
Newsletter or Website Article
Option One:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As part of the District’s Student Success Opportunity School initiative, an important meeting will be taking place to discuss opportunities to enhance student learning at {insert school name}
Your input in this process is very important and I encourage you to make plans to attend. The meeting will take place on {insert date} at {insert location} and begins at {insert time}.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Option Two:
Dear Parents and/or Guardians,
You are invited to a meeting where you can provide input into the Student Success Opportunity School (SSOS) process, as we work to design new, innovative educational opportunities for {insert school name} students.
Your ideas are important. This is an opportunity to participate in the process and make a direct impact on your child’s education. District staff members also attend these meetings to answer questions you may have.
The meeting takes place on {insert date and location}. It begins at {insert time}
We look forward to seeing you there!
Flyer (use attached flyer to distribute to parents/students)
Please use flyers available on web/communications or click on the following links: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole. Please utilize the list of community meeting/dates and times located toward the end of this toolkit to add the appropriate information to the flyer. A photo library has been provided to provide additional options to customize the flyer.
Talking Points (State identified schools. Also referred to as priority schools.)
· Our school has been identified by the State as a priority school. This means that based on our FCAT results from the last school year, the District must implement a change at our school. The changes that the school will consider are:
o 5 State Turnaround Opportunities to consider:
§ District-Managed Turnaround School
§ Reassign students and monitor progress
§ Close and reopen as a Charter School
§ Contract with a private entity to run the school
§ Hybrid Model
· The purpose of the SSOS meetings is to create innovative approaches and choices for student learning that will result in continued increases in student achievement.
· SSOS will give us an opportunity to design and create a learning environment that will become a shared vision between the school and the community.
· This will be done through meetings with parents and community members in “Design Team/Steering Committees.” The Design Team/Steering Committees include parents, community members, the principal, staff, students, partners, SAC/PTA members, the Cadre Director, etc.
· Through ongoing conversations and dialogue the goal is to design a learning environment that will continue our goal of increasing student achievement. We have many options to discuss:
o 5 State Turnaround Opportunities
§ District-Managed Turnaround School
§ Reassign students and monitor progress
§ Close and reopen as a Charter School
§ Contract with a private entity to run the school
§ Hybrid Model
o 5 Local Restructuring Opportunities:
§ Grade Restructuring, K-8 Model Schools , 6-12 Model Schools
§ Restructure Behavior Intervention Centers
§ Increase Pre-K Opportunities, Centers , Classes
§ Restructure Magnet Programs
§ Restructure to meet larger community workforce, social service, mental health, and medical health needs
FAQs for Website: (State Identified Schools - also referred to as priority schools.)
What is the purpose of the SSOS meetings?
The purpose of the SSOS meetings is to create innovative approaches and choices for student learning that will result in continued increases in student achievement. SSOS will give us an opportunity to create a learning environment that will become a shared vision between the school and the community. The goal is to design a learning environment that will provide our students with additional opportunities for learning, and draw back the market share of students to our school through innovative programs.
Are we required to have SSOS meetings?
The State requires the District to engage the community in dialogue around school performance.
How will this be done?
This will be done through meetings with the community in “Design Team/Steering Committees” as well as large community meetings. Through ongoing conversations and dialogue the goal is to design a learning environment that will continue our goal of increasing sustainable student achievement.
Who is on the Design Team/Steering Committees?
The Design Team/Steering Committees are made up of volunteers of community members, staff, students, partners, SAC/PTA members, the Cadre Director, and principal, etc.
How do I join the Design Team/Steering Committee?
To be included in the Design Team/Steering Committee, please contact the school principal, who will add your name to the Design Team/Steering Committee list or sign up at the first meeting.
How often does the Design Team/Steering Committee meet?
The Design Team/Steering Committee meets once a month for 1-2 hours.
What options do we have?
Through discussions, we will design a plan for our school to increase student achievement. Some of the options we will discuss are:
· 5 State Turnaround Opportunities to consider:
o District-Managed Turnaround School
o Reassign students and monitor progress
o Close and reopen as a Charter School
o Contract with a private entity to run the school
o Hybrid Model
How will we, as community members, be kept informed of the progress of this initiative?
Monthly SSOS meetings will occur at the school or a centrally located school to report progress and to get feedback from the community on the design.
Will we be notified of the meetings?
The school will post meetings on the marquee, list them in the school newsletter, and/or make ParentLink phone calls to notify parents and community members.
What if I am a community member or business partner, who wants to be involved in this process? Community members and business partners are welcome to join the Design Team/Steering Committee. You can also contact the principal’s office to get your name on the Community Contact List, to ensure that you will be notified of upcoming meetings.
SECTION 2: District identified schools (also referred to as local restructuring)
CHECKLIST TO PLAN FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS:
One Month Before Meeting
c Create a community members’ contact list (include Board Members of Homeowners’ Associations, local athletic clubs, school partners, community agencies that support the school, local business members, etc.)
c Place article in school newsletter or local newspapers
c Flyers mailed or emailed to community contact list
Two Weeks Before Meeting
c Post FAQs on school website and/or in school newsletter
c Phone calls to key stakeholders (PTSA President, SAC Chair, Community Contacts, etc.)
Week Before Meeting
c Message to parents sent via ParentLink (include Creole, Spanish, etc.)
c Posted on school marquee
c Reminder flyers sent home (include Creole, Spanish, etc. translation)
One Day Before Meeting
c Follow-up message to parents via ParentLink (include Creole, Spanish, etc.)
Day of Meeting
c Check on child care, custodial and security arrangements, including reserved parking for Board Member, Superintendent, City Officials, or other VIPs.
c LCD projector and screen set up
c Bathrooms supplied and open for community use
c Signage for meeting
c Sign-in sheets available
THINGS TO CONSIDER TO INCREASE PARENT INVOLVEMENT
c Incentives for attendance offered to families (raffles, snacks, drinks, giveaways, etc.)
c Arrange for childcare to be available the night of the meeting (if needed)
ParentLink (robo call)
Option One:
Greetings Parents and Guardians,
This is {insert name}, principal of {insert school name}, with an important invitation.
On {insert date} at {insert location}, a meeting will take place to discuss potential changes to our school. This meeting is part of the District’s Student Success Opportunity School initiative, which aims to enhance student learning opportunities.
Your input in this process is very important and I encourage you to make plans to attend. Once again, the meeting takes place on {insert date} at {insert location}. It begins at {insert time}.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Option Two:
Greetings Parents and/or Guardians,
This is {insert your name}, principal {or designee} of {insert school name}. I would like to invite you to the Student Success Opportunity School meeting on {insert date, time and location}. Student Success Opportunity School (SSOS) meetings allow us to design new, innovative educational opportunities for {insert school name} students.
The meeting is on {insert date/time} at {insert location}.
Your involvement and your ideas are very important to us. We look forward to seeing you on {insert meeting day/date} for the meeting!
School Marquee
Option One:
Important Meeting About Possible Changes To Our School
{insert day/date/location}
Option Two:
Important Meeting About Our School
{insert day/date/location}
Newsletter or Website Article
Option One:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As part of the District’s Student Success Opportunity School initiative, an important meeting will be taking place to discuss opportunities to enhance student learning at {insert school name}
Your input in this process is very important and I encourage you to make plans to attend. The meeting will take place on {insert date} at {insert location} and begins at {insert time}.