CODE: 5020
SECTION: PUPILS
PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE SCHOOLS
Effective school research has proven that children learn more when their parents are involved in their education. The West Milford Board of Education believes that its staff should recognize the importance of reaching out to the parents in the school district.
The Board believes that its commitment is an absolute essential for effecting parent involvement. It seeks to form a partnership with parents, not just through the formal parent/teacher organizations, but by a policy of inclusion that establishes two-way communication between the school district and the family. The Board believes that, where parents are unsure or uncomfortable with involvement, the Board should provide training to teach them how the system operates and where and how their input is desirable and important. Parents need to be given opportunities to be involved in their children's schools. The Board believes it is equally important to provide training for its staff on how to develop and implement activities that will bring parents into the schools.
The Board believes that the following should be part of the district's program to encourage parent involvement:
1. Opportunities for parents' involvement should be available both in the individual school their child attends and in the school system as a whole.
2. When needed and appropriate, training should be provided for parents on the governance and educational structure of the district and how parents can become involved.
3. In-service should be given to building administrators and teachers on how to involve parents to improve student achievement and increase feelings of partnership between staff and parents/guardians.
4. Evaluation of the administrators and supervisors should include the amount and extent of parent involvement in the district and schools.
5. A process of two-way communication should be developed between the Board and parents. It should be year round, on going, and re-evaluated on a regular basis.
6. Agendas for Board meetings should be freely available. Minutes of Board meetings should be made available and disseminated in the schools and at the Town library.
7. Schools should develop specific programs to inform parents each year about what their child is expected to learn and to inform them as to what they can do to help their children achieve. Back-to-school nights and school newsletters are two suggested means.
8. Parent/guardian involvement activities should be scheduled, whenever possible, at the convenience of parents.
9. Adequate funding to support parent involvement activities should be included in the district's budget.
10. The administration should share information and assist with programs that instruct parents on how to help their children be successful in school.
11. Administrators should develop a means to communicate annually to parents/guardians regarding the opportunity for parent/guardian involvement in the schools.
Parents/guardians are requested to keep the school apprised of changes in factors in the home situation which may affect pupil conduct or performance. Parents/guardians are specifically required to inform the school of any changes in legal custody of the child.
Parents/guardians are responsible for their child’s punctuality, attendance, cleanliness, and propriety of dress.
The Superintendent of Schools shall develop procedures and regulations to implement this policy. These regulations shall include use of the parent/guardian’s native language when necessary.
First Reading: December 12, 2000
Adopted: December 19, 2000