ROGERS HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL

1114 S. 5th Street

479-631-3579

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT PLAN

2013-2014

STANDARD I: Parenting

Parenting skills are promoted and supported.

To promote student learning, the school will offer support to parents by providing resources to improve parenting techniques and skills:

  1. Maintain a “Parent Center”
  2. Purchase and organize parenting books, magazines, and other informative materials regarding responsible parenting. Provide parents an opportunity to borrow the materials for review through the “Parenting Center”.
  3. Advertise and promote current resource selections available in the “Parenting Center” on website
  4. Complete listing in parent center.
  1. Promote parenting websites and toll free numbers to parents on website and in parent center. Printed material can be distributed through the PTO.
  1. Plan and engage in other activities determined by the school to be beneficial to promoting and supporting responsible parenting.
  1. Inform parents of free parenting classes and workshops offered by the Jones Center for Families by posting on website and in parent center.
  2. Inform parents of Family ESOL classes put on by Rogers Public Schools by posting on website and in parent center.

STANDARD II: Communication

Communication between home and school is regular, two-way and meaningful.

To encourage communication with parents, the school will:

  1. Prepare family kits appropriate for students in grades 9-12 that include the following:
  2. The school’s parental involvement program.
  3. The recommended role of the parent, student, teacher, and school.
  4. Ways for parents to become involved in the school and his or her child’s education.
  5. Activities planned throughout the school year to encourage parental involvement.
  6. A system to allow parent and teachers to communicate in a regular, two-way, meaningful manner with the child’s teacher and the school’s administrative staff.
  7. The student handbook which includes the recommended role of the parents, teachers, student and school.
  8. Volunteer opportunities for parents.
  9. Information regarding PTO that includes events, volunteer opportunities and an application for membership.
  10. School webpage address
  11. Anti-bullying policy
  1. To encourage communication with the parents, all parents will be invited to various on-site parent involvement meetings, including, but not limited to:
  2. Open House
  3. Two district-designated parent/teacher conferences, one in October and one in February
  4. 8th grade parent night
  5. College Readiness/AP parent nights
  6. Grade-specific seminars (scholarship and financial aide)
  7. Freshman parent night

These events are intended to inform parents about decisions affecting curriculum choices, student commitments, career planning, and preparation for post-secondary opportunities.

3.  Establish opportunities for parents and educators to share information such as student strengths and learning preferences.

4.  Use a variety of communication tools seeking to facilitate two-way interaction between parents and teachers that include but are not limited to conferences, phone calls, emails postcards, and letters.

5.  Provide clear information regarding course expectations and offerings, student placement, school activities, student services, and optional programs.

a.  Parents will receive a district mailing that will list available courses one month prior to registration.

b.  All families will be provided with a course catalog for use during registration.

6.  Send report cards and regular progress reports to parents. Provide support services and follow-up conferences as needed.

a.  Interim reports will be sent as needed to parents. Parents can see their student’s grades and attendance anytime through Pinnacle Parent Viewer. Passwords will be provided to ALL students and parents. Parents are welcome at anytime to use the computers in the parent center or counseling office to check their student’s grades/attendance. Parents are also able to e-mail teachers directly from Pinnacle Parent Viewer.

b.  Semester report cards will be sent to parents (first semester via student, second semester via mail).

c.  Parents will be notified by phone that report cards are out.

7.  Disseminate information on school policies, discipline procedures, assessment tools and school goals. Include parents in any related decision making process.

a.  School goals will be reported by principal in October during Parent/Teacher conferences to parents.

b.  Student handbooks will be distributed to all students.

8.  Encourage immediate contact between parents and teachers when concerns arise.

9.  Translate communication to assist non-English speaking parents. The district will provide translators for Parent/Teacher conferences, registration meetings, and all other meetings that assist parents in helping their children improve their academic achievement and becoming active participants in the education of their children.

10.  Provide AmeriCorps interpreter/liaison in order to build trust between parents and school staff, to help bridge language barriers between parents and school staff, and to encourage parents to participate in their children’s school experience. AmeriCorps members make phone calls for teachers, interpret during parent/teacher conferences, translate notes to or from home, and other duties that increase and improve communication.

11.  Provide access to a Family ESOL program which provides family literacy services to improve the English language skills of ELL students and to assist parents in helping their children improve their academic achievement and become active participants in the education of their children.

12.  Communicate with parents regarding positive student behavior and achievement, not just regarding misbehavior or failure. Teachers will communicate via email, phone calls, postcards, notes and conferences.

13.  Teachers will provide updated information to parents regarding classroom expectations and online grades will be reported via Pinnacle so that parents may take an active role in their child’s education.

14.  Provide opportunities for parents to communicate with principals and other administrative staff.

a.  Email, conferences, and open houses

b.  PTO meetings at school and district level

c.  Electronic communication through official Twitter and Facebook sites.

15.  Promote informal activities at which parents, staff, and community members can interact.

16.  Provide staff development regarding effective communication techniques and the importance of regular two-way communication between the school and the family. Training will also be provided to enhance understanding of effective parental involvement strategies and the importance of setting expectations and creating a climate conducive to parental participation.

17.  Information regarding available parenting classes or workshops, ways to get involved at Heritage, and other information on upcoming events and services is available in the parent center, RHHS’s calendar on the website, and via phone messaging system.

18.  Parents can create a School Fusion account that can keep them updated on school events and what their student is expected to do in their classes.

Create a User Account on Your School Site:
Please go to the school’s site.
On the left, go to Parent Website Accounts and click on Parent Website Registration. Enter:
1. Your child’s Student ID (the student’s computer login ID – for example, asmith01)
AND Passcode (the child’s six-digit lunch number)
2. An email address, which will become your username
3. First Name
4. Last Name
5. Password
6. Verify the password
Click> Click here to Register When you complete the registration, your account will be created,
and you will automatically be connected to the children whose ID and Passcode you entered.

STANDARD III: Volunteering

Parents are welcome in the school. Their support and assistance are valuable to the success of the school.

To welcome parents in the school, the school shall:

1.  [Shall] Not have any school policies or procedures that would discourage a parent from visiting the school, specifically including:

a.  Policies requiring parents to pick-up his or her child outside the school building each day.

b.  Policies prohibiting parents from visiting a child’s classroom during school events.

c.  Ensure that office staff greetings, signage near the entrances and any other interaction with the parents create a climate in which parents feel valued and welcome.

d.  Educate and assist staff members in creating an inviting climate and effectively utilizing volunteer resources.

2.  Use the community’s citizens as guest speakers and student tutors.

3.  Engage in other activities determined by the school to welcome parents into the school.

a.  Volunteer and visitor name tags are prominently displayed in the main office are easily accessible to parents entering the building.

b.  The school’s website will be used to welcome, inform, and show appreciation to parents during the school year

c.  The school will recognize and thank volunteers.

d.  The school will provide opportunities for parents to serve on various committees that have a direct correlation with student’s learning. Such committees are (but not limited to):

·  On time graduation

·  Freshman Transition

·  Safety

·  Discipline

e.  The school will provide opportunities for parents to be involved in organizations established on campus. These organizations are:

·  PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization)

·  Booster Clubs

·  P.A.D.R.E.S

f.  Encourage parents to become involved by volunteering to be a guest speaker on campus relating to curriculum or careers

STANDARD IV: Learning At Home

Parents play an integral role in assisting and promoting student learning.

To help parents in assisting students, the school shall:

  1. Schedule regular parent/teacher conferences where parents are given a report on the state of the school as well as an overview of:
  2. What students will be learning
  3. How students will be assessed
  4. What parents should expect for their child’s education
  5. How parents can assist with and make a difference in his or her child’s education
  6. Provide instruction to a parent on how to incorporate developmentally appropriate learning activities in the home environment and engage in other activities determined to help a parent assist in the student’s learning.
  7. Encourage active participation in physical activities, workforce education, community activities, and volunteerism.
  8. Ensure that parents are informed and involved in the district wellness practices including BMI protocol, accepted foods allowed in the school setting, physical activity opportunities, and suggested resources available encouraging healthy, active living.

STANDARD V: Decision Making

Recognize that parents are full partners in the decision making process that affects his or her child and family.

To encourage parents to participate as full partners in the decisions that affect his or her child and family, the school shall:

  1. Publish the school’s process for resolving parental concerns, including how to define the problem, whom to approach first, and how to develop solutions.
  1. Sponsor parent information nights how to be involved in the decisions affecting course selections, career planning, and preparation for post-secondary opportunities.
  1. Parents are active partners in the annual Registration Process where students discuss their career goal and select classes for the next school year.
  1. Support a PTO that serves as a parental involvement advisory committee to share ideas, needs and desires for the school. Suggestions will be presented to the administrative team.
  1. Treat parent concerns with respect and demonstrate genuine interest in developing solutions.
  1. Engage in other activities that the school determines will encourage parents to participate as full partners in the decisions that affect his or her child and family (i.e. school improvement committee).

STANDARD VI: Collaborating with the Community

Recognize that community resources strengthen school programs, family practices and student learning.

To take advantage of community resources, the school shall:

  1. Engage in other activities that the school determines will use community resources to strengthen school programs, family practices, and student learning.
  2. The school will seek support for students and parents by contacting the local businesses for coupons and prizes for activities and events.
  3. Local business leaders are used as guest speakers during advisory.
  4. Student organizations with the assistance of parents and teachers will provide service to non-profit agencies in the community.
  5. Develop partnerships with local businesses and service groups.

Parental Involvement Coordinator: Kimberly Favero e-mail:

HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL

PTO Membership

All parents and family members are invited to be part of the Heritage PTO. Whether you are a dues paying member or not, there will be opportunities to be involved during the school year. Please note checking a volunteer opportunity does NOT mean you are obligated to volunteer, just that you will be contacted.

Our membership dues and donations are used to fund a variety of activities for students and teachers during the year. We do not ask students to fundraise, so your support is our main source of income. Your dues and donations benefit the Counselor’s Student need fund, two Student Scholarships (Bonnie Grimes & HHS PTO), Teacher Appreciation, Fall Spirit cookout, Homecoming, Color Day, Baccalaureate, ACT Information meeting for families and many other activities. We truly appreciate your financial support and involvement.

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM AND RETURN IT TO THE HERITAGE OFFICE OR SEND IT TO SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILD ON THE FIRST DAY

Parent/Guardian Name(s)______

Student Name(s) and grade(s)______

Parent email address______

Parent Phone______home______work ______cell

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

I can volunteer for:

____Help in the school office ____Text book check in/check out

____ Project graduation ____ Baccalaureate

____Teacher appreciation (Send food or cash to purchase food)

____Help during the day with school events as needed

____ Guest speaker (please put occupation or other topic of expertise or experience ______)

PTO MEMBERSHIP FORM

Joining PTO is a great opportunity for you to participate in your child’s education! Membership dues are only $10.00 per family. Optional donation opportunities are provided.

$__10.00____for membership

$______for additional donation

$______to purchase food for teacher appreciation

$______for the counselor’s discretionary fund for students in need

$______for student scholarship fund

Total Enclosed $______

Please make check to Heritage PTO. We will accept credit/debit cards at Open House/Conference Nights.

HHS PTO is a non-profit organization, so any donation $25 or above will receive a letter acknowledging your generous gift. Please provide your mailing address if you wish to receive this letter for tax purposes.

Address______