George Washington Carver Elementary School

Providing Soaring Educational Experiences

Title I: Parent Involvement Plan 2014-2015

The St. Mary’s County Public Schools’ Title I Parent Involvement Plan provides for compliance with all federal requirements and mandates, as defined by Public Law 107-110 (the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002). The St. Mary’s County Public School System Title I Parent Involvement Plan is aligned with the six goals of Maryland’s Plan for Family, School and Community Involvement as developed by the Division of Student and School Services of the Maryland State Department of Education, March 2003. This Title I Parent Involvement Plan also coincides with the St. Mary’s County Public School’s vision and mission statement which states that the vision is “Charting a course to excellence,” and the mission is to “Know the learner and the learning, expecting excellence in both. Accept no excuses, educating ALL with rigor, relevance, respect, and positive relationships.”

Goal 1: COMMUNICATION – Carver and our families together will communicate frequently and clearly about academic opportunities, school performance, student progress, and school-family partnerships, as an on-going open conversation.

Opportunities may include:

  • Parental Involvement Plan. In collaboration with the Carver Elementary parents and staff, we reviewed and revised GWCES Title I Parent Involvement Plan, Parent Involvement budget, and the School-Parent Compact at our “Action Team” meeting on June 3, 2014. The ideas and activities in this plan reflect input by parents. We will discuss and distribute the plan and ask for suggestions at our Open House (August 19, 2014) and our Back to School Night (September 18, 2014). This plan will also be posted on the Carver Elementary school website. Parents are always welcome to provide input and offer suggestions about this plan with Ms. Annette Wood, principal.
  • Home/School Compact – Outlines how families, Carver and the students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement. Teachers will distribute these on the first day of school,

August 20, 2014, and will be reviewed with parents at parent conferences on October 13, 2014.

  • Feedback about our Parent Involvement Plan and School-wide Program plan will be collected formally by the principal during quarterly school improvement team meetings; additional feedback will be gathered through other forms of communication. If you would like a copy of GWCES’ school-wide program plan and/or have any comments about the plan, you can submit them to Annette Wood, GWCES principal. Your comments will be submitted to our Title I supervisor for review.
  • Communication Methods – Carver parents will be informed of statewide, local, and school events through School Messenger, GWCES website, local media and monthly newsletters. We will work with the county, our ESOL teacher and various websites to ensure that the information is provided in a language the parents will understand. School staff will respond promptly to parents’ phone calls, letters, and visits. Carver’s Parent Liaison will provide parent and family resources.
  • School Report Card/Individual Student Report – Each GWCES parent will be provided with information detailing state academic content standards and assessments as well as the progress of the school and the level of achievement of the parent’s child in each of the state academic assessments required under the law. Individual student report cards and interim reports will be distributed to student’s families eight times during each school year. Carver will follow the county calendar for interim and report card distribution. Those dates include: Interims: Oct. 2, Dec. 11, Mar. 5, May 14. Report Cards: Nov. 7, Jan. 28, Apr. 10, June 16. Parents may also log onto the Home Access Center to review student grades and progress at anytime (NCLB Requirement).
  • School staff training (TBA) – School staff will participate in training to support effective communication and collaboration with parents. Training will involve parent feedback in determining training needs.
  • Open House (August 19) – Inform parents of their school’s participation in the Title I program, a description of the goals and support provided by Title I, and the right of parents to be involved. Families will have the opportunity to meet their child’s classroom teacher(s).
  • Back to School Night/Title I Information Night (Sept. 18) – Inform parents of their school’s participation in the Title I program, a description of the goals and support provided by Title I, and the right of parents to be involved. Families will have the opportunity to meet their child’s classroom teacher(s). Families will have the opportunity to meet their child’s classroom teacher(s), learn about the grade level curriculum, understand homework expectations and routines, procedures and behavior expectations of the classroom.
  • Teacher/Paraprofessional Qualifications – All staff at Carver are highly qualified. Families have the right to request information concerning the professional qualifications of their child’s teacher and classroom para-educators.
  • Parent Conferences – Carver will offer families the opportunity to participate in a parent-teacher conference, at least annually, during which the Carver-Family Compact shall be discussed as it relates to the child’s achievement on October 13, 2014.
  • Assessment Information Meeting for Parents (TBA) – Information regarding the Maryland State Assessment will be shared with families.
  • Community Organizations: Representatives of community agencies are invited to school to speak with families so that they are aware of supports in the community. The Center for Children, Walden-Sierra and Tri-County Youth Services Bureau all provide mental health services to Carver families. We have established partnerships with several local businesses. We have a formal partnership with the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and we have many Navy volunteers who mentor our students. A variety of community organizations are solicited to participate in our Career Day.
  • Awards Assemblies – Parents are invited to monthly assemblies where students are recognized for Perfect Attendance and Good Citizenship and quarterly assemblies for Honor Roll and Academic Improvement.

Goal 2: PARENTING – Carver and our local communities will work together to support families’ child educating skills and activities that prepare young children for school and promote on-going achievement.

Opportunities may include:

  • Parent Workshops – Carver will be holding 6 Literacy Nights (9/18;10/23;11/20;12/11;12/12;2/19) where families will engage in literacy activities with their children and learn about literacy curriculum expectations. We will use “parent-friendly” language to review strategies that parents can use while working with their children at home. Each child who attends will receive a book to take home. Each child who attends will receive a math manipulative to take home. Carver will also hold a family fitness night. We may hold workshops and sponsor speakers that address parenting and child-rearing skills, behavior management, gang and drug awareness, bullying, internet safety, nutrition and health, and child and adolescent development during the day or during our Literacy and Math Evenings. We will be inviting community organizations to these activities to enhance communication between the community, school and families.
  • Conveying Title I Information – Throughout the year at music concerts and Literacy and Math evenings we will inform parents of their school’s participation in the Title I program, a description of the goals and support provided by Title I, and the right of parents to be involved. Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC) will be shared with parents as well.
  • Parent Liaison, Attendance Monitor and School Counselor will work collaboratively with parents to facilitate attendance to parent events to include assistance with coordinated childcare and/or transportation. Meeting times for parent events will occur using a varying schedule to accommodate work hours and parent schedules.
  • Home Visits – Home visits will be scheduled when there is a significant concern about absenteeism. When behavioral and/or academic concerns are evident and parents cannot be engaged through other means, a home visit will be conducted.
  • Family Satisfaction Survey – Carver conducts an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the Parental Involvement Program in an effort to improve the quality of the academic experiences we provide at Carver. Specifically by identifying any perceived barriers to be removed and all suggestions to increase participation by families. (NCLB Requirement)
  • Puberty Programs – Mother/Daughter and Father/Son programs are offered to fifth grade families in the spring, to provide accurate information regarding puberty and physical changes.

Goal 3: STUDENT LEARNING – Families will support academic achievement at home by reading with children, helping them with homework and engaging them in educational activities.

Opportunities may include:

  • Home-School Compact – Carver will develop, in collaboration with parents, a school-parent compact that outlines how parents, the school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement. (NCLB Requirement).
  • Family Workshops – Carver will be holding 6 Literacy Nights (9/18;10/23;11/20;12/11;12/12;2/19) where families will engage in literacy activities with their children and learn about literacy curriculum expectations. We will use “parent-friendly” language to review strategies that parents can use while working with their children at home. Each child who attends will receive a book to take home. Each child who attends will receive a math manipulative to take home. Carver will also hold a family fitness night. We may hold workshops and sponsor speakers that address parenting and child-rearing skills, behavior management, gang and drug awareness, bullying, internet safety, nutrition and health, and child and adolescent development during the day or during our Literacy and Math Evenings. We will be inviting community organizations to these activities to enhance communication between the community, school and families. Carver also utilizes the “Partner’s In Print Program.” Carver will also host educational activities that can be continued at home with families pertaining to the Maryland State Curriculum.
  • Parent Conference - Carver will offer families the opportunity to participate in a parent-teacher conference, at least annually, during which the Carver-Family Compact shall be discussed as it relates to the child’s achievement on October 13, 2014.

Goal 4: VOLUNTEERISM – Families and community members will donate and/or volunteer in support of the improvement of the quality educational experiences we provide at Carver to increase each student’s success.

Opportunities may include:

  • Volunteer Solicitation – Parents will be notified of the procedures for volunteering at Carver at the beginning of the school year.
  • Volunteer Log – Carver will maintain a volunteer log that will be updated annually.
  • Volunteer Training – Carver will provide training and support to ensure volunteers participate in a meaningful capacity that supports Carver academic improvement goals. Volunteer Orientation will be held on Sept. 10, 2014, at 9 a.m. in Carver’s Cafeteria. Call Lisa McCoy (Parent Liaison) at 301-863-4076 ext. 1030 for more information.
  • Volunteer Recognition – Carver holds an annual Volunteer Appreciation breakfast to recognize school volunteers in May.

Goal 5: CARVER DECISION MAKING – Family members, Carver faculty & staff and community members will collaborate on educational decisions that affect Carver children, Carver families and Carver itself.

Opportunities may include:

  • Family Action Team/Parent Input Meeting - In collaboration with the Carver Elementary parents and staff, we reviewed and revised GWCES Title I Parent Involvement Plan, Parent Involvement budget, and the School-Parent Compact at our “Action Team” meeting on June 3, 2014. The ideas and activities in this plan reflect input by parents. We will discuss and distribute the plan and ask for suggestions at our Open House (August 19, 2014) and our Back to School Night (September 18, 2014). This plan will also be posted on the Carver Elementary school website. Parents are always welcome to provide input and offer suggestions about this plan with Ms. Annette Wood, principal.
  • School Improvement Team (SIT) – Families will be invited to participate in the regularly scheduled SIT meetings, including Title I School Budget Approval Meetings. (NCLB Requirement).

These meetings will be held quarterly on the last Tuesday of that month at 3:00pm. September 30th, November 18th, March 24th, and June 2nd.

  • Information Sessions – Carver will provide information sessions on various areas of the curriculum (e.g., new math or reading series) at times and places accessible to family and community members. Carver Newsletter – Highlighting specific educational issues currently being addressed by the SIT.
  • School Newsletter – Will highlight specific educational issues, activities and programs.
  • School Events – Families will be highly encouraged by all staff members to participate in school events.
  • Classroom Visits – Carver always encourages family and community members to visit classrooms. Advanced scheduling with the teacher is always a sign of mutual respect.

Goal 6: COMMUNITY COLLABORATION – St. Mary’s County Public School System, including all Title I schools, will strive to collaborate effectively with The Maryland State Department of Education and local community organizations, agencies, and businesses to promote the academic achievement of all students and the success of all schools.

Opportunities may include:

  • Community Organizations - Representatives of community agencies are invited to school to speak with families so that they are aware of supports in the community. The Center for Children, Walden-Sierra and Tri-County Youth Services Bureau all provide mental health services to Carver families. We have established partnerships with several local businesses. We have a formal partnership with the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and we have many Navy volunteers who mentor our students. A variety of community organizations are solicited to participate in our Career Day.
  • Information Nights – Carver may hold Information Nights for community leaders, businesses, and organizations to describe Carver’s strengths and needs as a basis for potential partnering. Other events include: American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” – Carver participates in the event annually; St. Mary’s College of Maryland & Historic St. Mary’s City – Carver visits them and benefits from their programs; student-athletes and “River Project” students from St. Mary’s College visit Carver monthly to share their experiences with our students; Community Career Day – Members of the community come and share their vocation to our students in our classrooms; McDonald’s, and Rita’s Spirit Nights – Carver appreciates their donations; St. Mary’s Head Start Program/Jarboe Center Events – Carver appreciates their academic events.
  • Recognition – Carver may recognize publicly and/or privately the support of community/business partners.
  • Carver Spirit Day at the Lexington Park Public Library – In partnership with the Library, school staff members will attend this event. The school will notify families through an automated phone call.