BUFFALO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

PARENT GUIDE TO STUDENT SUCCESS

Office of Parent and Family Engagement

Dr. Will Keresztes, Chief of Student Support

Heath H Frisch, Director

Gwen Humphrey, Supervisor

Judy Angel, Community Education Leader

408 City Hall

Buffalo, NY 14202

716-816-3966

wwwbuffaloschools.org/parents.cfm

Our

Superintendent

With a wealth of experience in education that spans from the classroom to administrative management, Dr. Pamela Brown has experience in administration, planning and social policy, She has served as classroom teacher, principal, consultant and education reformist. As chief of staff in Richmond, Virginia’s district of 50 schools and 25,000 students, Dr. Brown was involved in successful initiatives such as the Spanish Immersion and the Core Knowledge Academy.

Dr. Brown has demonstrated the ability to turn schools around and achieve student success, regardless of economic challenges faced by students and their families--as demonstrated through her tenure as Principal of Bruns Avenue Academy of Creative Learning, who earned the highest growth in Reading test scores and the second highest in Math scores of all CMS schools from 2002 to 2006.

In her first year as superintendent of the Buffalo Public School District, attendance rose, along with the graduation rate, while short-term suspensions and dropout numbers declined. In her objective to create a college-going culture, Dr. Brown saw to it that nearly all of the 2013 seniors applied to a college or trade school.

Dr. Brown is committed to excellence in education for the students of the Buffalo Public Schools. She will focus on higher test scores and graduation rates for the students through strong curriculum, community and family support, and the belief that all children can succeed.

Parent Involvement: What is it?

Parent involvement is a crucial force in children’s development, learning, and success at school and in life. Decades of research in the area of family involvement have time and again supported the simple fact that children of involved parents have a much greater chance to develop into healthy, knowledgeable, responsible, and caring adults.

Over the last several years, there has been an emphasis placed on parent involvement by major educational policies and legislations. For example, in No Child Left Behind (NCLB)/Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the centerpiece of current educational strategy, the term “parent involvement” appears more than 900 times! For the first time in major legislation, a parent involvement definition appears:

“parent involvement means the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities including ensuring that (a) parents play an integral role in

assisting their child’s learning; (b) parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school; and (c) parents are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child” [title IX section 9101(32)].

Parent involvement in education has many faces and assumes varying degrees from the simple question asked at the dinner table: “How was school today?” to the daily checking and signing off on homework completion, to regular visits to the library, museums, cultural and art events, to participating in program evaluation and other decision making activities. For truly effective parent involvement, several factors must be taken into consideration, such as child characteristics and development, beliefs and expectations of the family and school, the different roles parents, students, and teachers play, cultural perspectives and life demands, and policies that outline or mandate schools to forge relationships with families. All these contribute to what is known as school-family partnerships.

Included in this toolkit are references to policies, practices and strategies the Buffalo Public Schools will use to increase meaningful parent involvement and engagement and to create partnerships among teachers, administrators, parents, students, and the local community.

Buffalo Public Schools

Parent Involvement Framework

In 1999, the Buffalo Public Schools adopted the framework of the National Network of Partnership Schools, a research-based model of parent involvement designed by Dr. Joyce Epstein of Johns Hopkins University. The Buffalo Chapter of this Partnership assists our schools in developing comprehensive programs of school, family, and community partnerships as part of their efforts to increase parent involvement. This model is based on the following six types of parental involvement:

  1. Parenting: Assist families with parenting and child-rearing skills, understanding child and adolescent development, and setting home conditions that support children as students at each grade level.
  1. Communicating: Communicate with families about programs and student’s progress through effective school-to-home and home-to-school communication.

Volunteering: Improve recruitment, training work, and schedules to involve families as volunteers and

  1. audiences at the school or in other locations to support students and school programs.
  1. StudentLearning at Home: Involve families with their children in learning activities at home, including homework and other curriculum-related activities and decisions.
  1. DecisionMaking: Include families as participants in school decisions, governance, and advocacy through PTO/PTA, school councils, committees, and other parent organizations.
  1. CollaboratingWiththeCommunity: Coordinate resources and services for families, students, and the school with businesses, agencies, and other groups, and provide services to the community.

To ensure a partnership exists among our District and school stakeholders, NNPS Six Types of Involvement workshops and professional development opportunities will take place throughout the school year.

Ways Parents and Families

Can Get Involved

The Buffalo Public School District offers a variety of ways for parents and families to become active partners in their child’s education. The list below provides examples of Parent Involvement opportunities and ways in which parents can “connect” with teachers, schools and the District.

  • Regularly visit the Parent Portal
  • Parent Portal is an online tool developed byInfinite Campus for parents to access their child's information e.g., attendance, assignments, grades, etc. anytime, anywhere.
  • To access the Parent Portal, visit the Portal website,
  • Parent guides to the Parent Portal are also listed on the Portal website,
  • Tell the teacher that you would like to work together to solve problems.
  • Join and participate in Parent Leadership Organizations
  • The Buffalo Public Schools believes in building the capacity for parents to become more involved in their child’s education and supports several Parent Leader Organizations in the District. Speak to your
  • child's principal to investigate Parent Involvement opportunities such as joining or starting a school level PTA or PTO.
  • District Parent Coordinating Council (DPCC)
  • The purpose of the District Parent Coordinating Council isto ensure that a partnership with the District is created and to monitor the implementation of the Board of Education's Parent Involvement Policy.
  • To learn more about the DPCC, its members, and mission, please visit their website at
  • Parent/Teacher Organizations and Parent/Teacher Associations (PTO/PTA)
  • The National Parent Teacher Organization is an advocate to help PTO’s or Parent Groups succeed.
  • PTO Groups, in cooperation with the school administrative staff, can be wonderful assets in enriching the school climate with volunteer help and other offerings.
  • The Principal at the local school building is usually their first point of contact.
  • It’s important for parent support groups to remember that they are there to complement the school’s programs.
  • The more successful the PTO group, the more the school and children benefit.
  • Information on forming a PTO is included in the appendix or you may visit the National PTO website at
  • Special Education Parents Advisory Committee (SEPAC)
  • The Special Education Parent Advisory Committee is dedicated to supporting families, coordinating services, and offering input to the BPS Special Education and the Board of Education.
  • All meetings are open to parents of children receiving special education services in the Buffalo Public School District.
  • If you are interested in applying or would like additional information, visit the District's SEPAC website at
  • Multilingual Education Advisory Committee (MEAC)
  • The purpose of MEAC is to ensure equitable access to high-quality education for all students by acting in an advisory and advocacy capacity with regard to programs and services for English Language Learners and their families, and ensuring communication among stakeholders.
  • MEAC meetings are open to the public and held monthly at locations throughout the District.
  • For more information, please contact Dr. Wendy Mistretta at
  • Encourage Parent/Teacher Communication
  • Let the teacher know that you would like to be actively involved in your child’s education.
  • Have the teacher’s contact information and make sure they have yours.
  • Let the teacher know you want to be informed regularly about your child’s work and behavior.
  • Read and respond, if needed, to all notices, newsletters, etc.
  • Ask about class rules, routines, and what students will be learning.
  • Talk to the teacher as soon as you have a question or concern about your child.
  • Go to parent-teacher conferences and other school meetings. If you can’t make it, work with the teacher to make alternative plans.
  • Ask the teacher about specific ways in which you can be involved in schoolwork at home.
  • Ask the teacher when you can visit the classroom and offer to help in the class or with special events.
  • Work with the teacher to clarify your child’s academic and behavioral goals for the year.
  • Communicate with the teacher when you have questions, concerns, or suggestions to improve your child’s learning.
  • Look for School Volunteer Opportunities
  • There are several opportunities for parents and family members to volunteer at their child’s school. A few ways that Parents can help
  • Parent Facilitator – Each school in the BPS has a parent liaison, called a Parent Facilitator, who works to connect parents/families and their schools. Roles and responsibilities of a District Parent Facilitator are located in the appendix.
  • School Based Management Team – As part of the District’s policy on School Based Management and Shared Decision Making, each school has created a School Based Management Team (SBMT).
  • SBMT’s have the freedom to determine which educational issues they will address, within the parameters of existing laws, regulations and contractual regulations.
  • Most SBMT’s discuss the four areas below; however, teams should explore all issues that affect student performance at their individual schools.
  • Student Achievement
  • Student Support
  • Parental Involvement
  • Budget and Resource Allocations
  • Attend Buffalo Board of Education Meetings
  • Board of Education meetings are held every two weeks at various locations throughout the school district.
  • Please call the Buffalo Public School Board of Education Office at 716-816-3567 for information on meeting locations and to register to speak at a Board Meeting.
  • Tips on how to address a Board of Education are located in this toolkit.
  • Become Familiar with Parent Involvement Policies and Regulations
  • There are several policies and regulations that govern Parental Involvement.
  • NCLB 1118 – No Child Left Behind
  • Commissioner’s Regulation 100.11 – Participation of parents and teachers in school-based decision making

There are many other ways parents and families can partner with the District and get involved in their child's education.

•Join your school's SBMT Team •Become a Parent Facilitator

•Participate in PTA's Teacher Appreciation Week by helping to organize a breakfast or lunch •Get to know your child's teacher by introducing yourself and scheduling a brief meeting •Create a community bulletin board at the school to post information or ideas •Participate in American Education Week, sponsored by the National Education Association by visiting the school and classroom •Record yourself reading books so children with reading challenges can enjoy them •Host a block meeting at your home with other parents to discuss/share school issues and info •Offer to drive other students/families to school-related events they wouldn't otherwise be able to attend •Invite other parents to join you when you volunteer at school •Join your local PTA/PTO.

For questions, comments or to make suggestions, please contact the Office of Parent and Family Engagement at 716-816-3170.

10 Tips for Helping Your Child at Home

  1. Talk positively about the school experience. Even if your own school memories were not always pleasant, you can help your child by emphasizing the positive opportunity that school affords him.
  2. Talk positively about teachers, education, and homework. Your positive attitude can help your child develop a optimistic approach to school.
  3. Show interest in what your child is learning. By asking questions and letting your child share, you communicate that learning is important and stimulating. Again, emphasize the positive. Ask questions like, "What did you do that you really liked?"; "What did you feel good about?"; "What would you like to learn more about?"; "What are you reading?"
  4. Continue learning.Your child sees you as a model for many things. If you continue to expand your own knowledge and skills by reading or perhaps even taking a course, your child sees the value in learning.
  5. Let your child teach you. You can strengthen your child's learning by letting her explain new concepts to you.
  6. Help your child find ways to apply his learning to everyday life.The more practical information seems to be, the more motivated your child will be to tackle new material.
  7. Avoid the grade trap.Avoid the trap of making grades a competition. Help your child learn to relax and enjoy learning without the pressure to compete.
  8. Develop realistic expectations for your child. Encourage your child to do the best he can in school, keeping in mind that children will naturally do better in some areas than in others.
  9. Provide a quiet place and time for homework. Having a special place for homework, whether it's a quiet desk in their own rooms or at the kitchen table, helps build a routine and an atmosphere conducive to work.
  10. Encourage your child to read at home. Reading is the cornerstone of much learning. The more your child practices this essential skill, the better he'll do in all his subjects.

What to Ask at a Parent-Teacher Conference

Overview

Take advantage of parent-teacher conferences during the school year. Think of some questions and concerns you may have and write them down before your meeting. Keep track of your child’s schoolwork to help you with your questions. You are in a position to share important information, as well as ask questions. Remember, you can and should talk to your child’s teacher throughout the year.

Questions to ask for students in all grades:

  1. Is my child performing at grade level?
  2. What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses in reading, math, and science?
  3. How much time should my child spend on homework?
  4. Are my child’s assignments completed accurately?
  5. Does the school have special programs to meet my child’s needs?
  6. Does my child have special learning needs? Are there special classes my child should be in?
  7. Do you keep a folder of my child’s work? If yes, could you review it with me?
  8. How well does my child get along with the other students?
  9. What can we do at home to support classroom learning?
  10. What is the best way to keep in touch with you?

Additional questions for middle and high school students:

  1. How can I help my child work independently and make the best use of time?
  2. How can I help my child prepare for high school?
  3. What can you tell me about peer pressure and how I can help my child handle difficult situations—drugs, alcohol, and sex?
  4. What courses should my child take to satisfy graduation requirements?
  5. Do you have a list of courses my child should take to be ready to enter college?
  6. If my child plans to attend college, how will the school help with the application process?
  7. If my child plans to attend college, how will the school help my child find out about financial aid?

Guidelines for Making a Statement at the Buffalo Board of Education

  • Board meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at various locations throughout the District. All meetings begin at 5:30pm.
  • You must call the Board of Education office and ask to be put on the speakers list by NOON the Tuesday before the Wednesday Board meeting. The number to call is: 816-3567.
  • When you call, you will be asked for your name, affiliation (parent, concerned citizen, etc.), and topic you will be speaking on. When presenting your topic, keep it to a few words (i.e. “transportation issues” or “school lunches”)
  • Speakers are scheduled early on the agenda. You should be prepared to speak right away.
  • Speakers have three minutes to present issues of concern, so you should plan accordingly.
  • Be aware that the meetings and your comments are being recorded, and may be on public access TV and documented in the Buffalo News and/or other print and online media.
  • Avoid general complaints that do not allow for meaningful and immediate follow up.
  • Speak to your direct and personal experience and be specific.
  • Understand your objective- is it merely to put something on the record, plant a seed of an idea, or do you want something?
  • If you want something, you should be prepared to offer possible solutions.