Little Rock School District

Watson Intermediate

2013-2014 Parent Involvement Plan

School Mission: In collaboration with parents and the community, Watson Intermediate faculty and staff will provide every student with a positive learning environment that develops independent learners and problem solvers through effective instruction and appropriate assessments.

Principal: Stephanie Pickett Parent Facilitator(s): Eileen McMurray

Parent Coordinator: Maria Narvaez

Watson is a Title I school with 96% of our students on free and reduced lunch. We are a needs improvement school.

Parent Involvement Committee Members

1. Stephanie Pickett Administrator

2. Eileen McMurray Counselor-Parent Facilitator

3. Maria Narvaez Parent Coordinator

4. Carol Jackson Media Specialist

5. Delores Iverson Media Specialist Secretary

6. Carmen Narvaez Parent/PTA President

7. Roslyn Joseph Grandparent

8. Mr. R. Gore Community Member

Community Members: Brenda Chaidez, Yolanda Martinez, Ana Martinez, Dora Martinez, and Cassandra Morales

1)  Watson Intermediate will communicate with parents in the following ways to increase parent involvement and to support classroom instruction by: (Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator) email: (501)-447-6828

Ø  Sending weekly school newsletters in both English and Spanish home to parents about school activities.

Ø  Conferencing with parents twice a year to communicate regarding the student’s progress.

Ø  Posting information regarding parental involvement on stands located at the entrance of Watson’s building.

Ø  Teachers sending weekly folders home with students regarding curriculum standards, grades, and behavior reports.

Ø  Sending home Ed-line information so parents will be able to access grades. Parents will be advised to contact our technology specialist, Angela Mosby at 447-6833 with questions.

Ø  Communicating with parents through email, telephone, and Watson’s facebook page.

Ø  Sending home a monthly Home/School Connection newsletter by the Principal.

Ø  Sending home a parental Involvement survey to assess parent’s opinion on a variety of topics affecting the school environment and parental involvement.

2) Watson Intermediate will plan the following meetings to increase parent involvement, build staff and parent capacity by:

Ø  Providing opportunities for parents and grandparents to eat lunch with the students at “Grandparent’s Day” (September 6, 2013).

Ø  Hosting Watch D.O.G.S. Dads Night (September 26) Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator-447-6828

Ø  Hosting muffins for moms for all moms to come to Watson and learn different strategies from either a team of math teachers or a team of literacy teachers or from community speakers (October 17th, 2013. Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator ,447-6828 & Maria Narvaez-Parent Coordinator ,447-6855

Ø  Conducting two (2) state mandated parent conferences a year, one per semester, with each parent of every student and having translators to assist in the conferences with parents who do not speak English. Parents will receive scores, student work and a summary of interventions being used to assist the child in reaching his/her achievement goals (AIPs and IRIs) October 21st and February 17th.

Ø  Hosting Pastries for Parents to come to Watson and learn different strategies from either a team of math teachers or a team of literacy teachers or from community speakers (November 7, 2013) Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator, 447-6828 & Maria Narvaez-Parent Coordinator, 447-6855

Ø  Giving Thanks to Parents November 26, 2013. Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator, 447-6828 & Maria Narvaez-Parent Coordinator, 447-6855

Ø  Hosting Pastries for Parents to come to Watson and learn different parenting strategies for their children December 10, 2013. Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator, 447-6828 & Maria Narvaez-Parent Coordinator, 447-6855

Ø  Hosting Donuts for Dads (January 14, 2014) Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator -447-6828 & Maria Narvaez-Parent Coordinator- 447-6855

Ø  Hosting a Math and Science Night for all parents to come to our school and learn about math strategies to help their children at home (January 23, 2014) Mildred Butler-Math Coach ,447-6827

Ø  Hosting Muffins for Moms (February 2, 2014) Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator- 447-6828 & Maria Narvaez-Parent Coordinator, 447-6855

Ø  Hosting Valentine’s Day with Parents (February 13, 2014) Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator-447-6828 & Maria Narvaez-Parent Coordinator, 447-6855

Ø  Hosting Literacy Night for all parents to come to our school and learn about literacy strategies to help their children at home (February 27, 2014) Kaylin Griham-Literacy Coach -447-6872

Ø  Hosting Craft Day for Parents (March 12, 2014) Eileen McMurray—Parent Facilitator & Maria Narvaez-Parent Coordinator- 447-6855

Ø  Hosting a “Getting Ready for Testing” event (March 18) Stephanie Pickett-Principal-447-6802

Ø  Benchmark Parade for Watson’s Students (4-4-2014) Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator 447-6828 & Maria Narvaez-Parent Coordinator, 447-6855

Ø  Benchmark Celebration for students and supportive parents event (4-18-2014) Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator-447-6828 & Maria Narvaez- Parent Coordinator-447-6855

Ø  Hosting a Parent Volunteer Honor Assembly (May 13-2014) Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator-447-6828 & Maria Narvaez-Parent Coordinator-447-6855

Ø  Providing a time for parents to come to have lunch and evaluate the parental involvement plan for the year and give suggestions on what to remove, or what to add for the next year during our “Parental Appreciation Lunch ”(May 17, 2014) Eileen McMurray -Parent Facilitator-447-6828

Ø  Conduct an Annual Title 1 Meeting for parents to assess a description/explanation of school curriculum, information on (May 30, 2014) Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator 447-6828 & Maria Narvaez-Parent Coordinator 447-6855

Ø  Provide English classes to our Spanish speaking parents once a week on Tuesdays at Watson Intermediate from 1:00-2:00 Maria Narvaez-Parent Coordinator-447-6855

Ø  Providing Spanish classes to our English speaking parents once a week on Thursday at Watson Intermediate from 1:00-2:00

Ø  Conduct an Annual Title I Meeting for parents to assess a description/explanation of school curriculum, information on (May 30, 2014) Stephanie Pickett- Principal 447-6802

3) Watson Intermediate will provide information to parents about volunteer opportunities by:

Ø  Print weekly opportunities in our school newsletter for parents and community members to support our curriculum and our students by spending time at the school. Maria Narvaez, Parent Coordinator-447-6855.

Ø  Working with Chicot Elementary to provide parents a chance to come to our school and tour the school with their second grade students. Eileen McMurray-Counseor-447-6828

Ø  Providing instruction to a parent on how to incorporate developmentally appropriate learning activities in the home environment, including without limitation: role play and demonstration by trained volunteer, the use of and access to the Department of Education website tools for parents, assistance with nutritional meal planning and preparation and other strategies or curricula developed or acquired by the school district for at-home parental instruction approved by the Department of Education. Maria Narvaez, Parent Coordinator-447-6855 & Eileen McMurray Parent Facilitator-447-6828.

Ø  Following the state guidelines on providing staff development. The State Board of Education’s Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts shall require no fewer than two (2) hours of professional development for teachers designed to enhance the understand of effective parental involvement strategies. No fewer that three (3) hours of professional development for administrators designed to enhance understanding of effective parent involvement strategies and the importance of administrative leadership in setting expectations and creating a climate conducive to parental participation. Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator, 447-6828

4) Watson will work with the school parental involvement committee in updating the School-Parent-Compact.

Ø  The committee, which includes parents, will decide on the actions in which all stakeholders will be responsible. Stephanie Pickett, Principal-447-6802

Ø  The compact will specifically state the responsibilities each parent, student, school staff, and administrators will do to improve student academic achievement and will disseminate the information to all parents to ensure that every compact is signed. All parties will be responsible for signing the compact. Maria Narvaez, Parent Coordinator-447-6855

5) Watson will provide opportunities for parents to be involved in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the school wide school improvement plan, and the Annual Title I Meeting to engage them in the decision-making processes regarding the school’s Title 1, Part A Program.

Ø  Parents will serve on school improvement planning committees. To support this process, the school will offer both school staff and parents training on how to contribute to this process in a meaningful way. Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator-447-6828

Ø  Have an ACSIP plan meeting which includes parents input as far as implementing actions into the plan. Stephanie Pickett, Principal-447-6802

Ø  Have a meeting with the Action Team committee. This committee is the same as the parental involvement committee. This team will meet once a quarter. Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator-447-6828

Ø  Take advantage of community resources; the school shall consider recruiting alumni from the school to create an alumni advisory commission to provide advice and guidance for school improvement. Maria Narvaez, Parent Coordinator-447-6855 & Eileen McMurray-447-6828

Ø  Support the activities and involvement of the Parent Teacher Association. Carmen Narvaez, PTA President-447-7025.

6) Watson will provide resources pertaining to parenting skills.

Ø  Parents may check out materials, use the computer to check grades, and visit educational Web sites. Parents will be encouraged to view the Title I Plan located in the parent resource center or media center. A suggestion sheet will also be available for parental input. The school will open the resource center at hours that are convenient to parents. Maria Narvaez, Parent Coordinator-447-6855.

Ø  Providing and distributing informational packets each year that includes a copy of the Watson’s parental involvement plan, survey for volunteer interests, recommended roles for parents/ teachers/students and school, suggestions of ways parents can become involved in their child’s education, parental involvement activities planned for the current school year and information about the system that will be used to allow parents and teachers to communicate (notes, phone calls, e-mail…). Maria Narvaez, Parent Coordinator-447-6855 & Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator-447-6828

Ø  Watson will purchase parenting books, magazines, and other informative materials each semester regarding responsible parenting through the school library, advertise the current selection, and give parents the opportunity to borrow the materials for review. Maria Narvaez, Parent Coordinator-447-6855 & Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator-447-6828.

Ø  Allowing parents to visit the parent center during the designated hours that the parent center is open 8:00 am-11:30am and 12:30-3:30pm. Maria Narvaez, Parent Coordinator-447-6855

Ø  Included in the school’s policy handbook will contain the school’s process for resolving parental concerns, including how to define a problem, whom to approach first, and how to develop solutions. Stephanie Pickett, Principal-447-6802.

Ø  The principal at Watson shall designate certified staff member who is willing to serve as a parent facilitator. Stephanie Pickett, Principal-447-6802.

Ø  Watson will send home Refrigerator Curriculums and post them in the parent center. Eileen McMurray Parent Facilitator-447-6828.

7) Watson will engage parents in the evaluation of the parental involvement plan by:

Ø  Engage parents in the annual evaluation of the Title I, Part a Program’s parental involvement efforts through an annual evaluation using a comprehensive needs assessment filled out by teachers, parents and school staff. The Title I committee, made up of teachers, parents and school staff, will determine the effectiveness of the parental involvement plan and make changes if warranted. While collecting evidence about satisfaction with the program and the school’s efforts to increase parental involvement will be a part of the evaluation, the survey will also collect specific information on the (1) growth in number of parents participating in workshops and meetings (2) specific needs of parents. Maria Narvaez, Parent Coordinator-447-6855 & Eileen McMurray- Parent Facilitator-447-6828.

8) Watson will use the parent interest surveys to select, plan, and implement parental involvements activities that will be offered throughout the year by:

Ø  Asking parents to fill out a parent interest survey during the first semester of each school year to get information from parents concerning the activities they feel will be most beneficial in the efforts to support their child academically. Eileen McMurray-Parent Facilitator 447-6828

Ø  Using the results of the parent interest survey will be used to plan the parental involvement activities for the year.Eileen McMurray- Parent Facilitator-447-6828 & Maria Narvaez, Parent Coordinator-447-6855.

Ø  Evaluating the activities that were suggested by the parents at the end of the year as part of the annual parental involvement plan evaluation, along with the parental involvement committee.

Ø  Parent Facilitator-447-6828 & Eileen McMurray, Maria Narvaez, Parent Coordinator- 7-6855 & Stephanie Pickett, Principal-447-6802.

9) Watson will hold the Annual Title 1 Meeting:

Ø  Conduct an Annual Title I Meeting on May 30, 2014 for parents of our students separate from any other meetings or activities to ensure that they have ample time to provide a description/explanation of school curriculum, information on forms of academic assessments used to measure students progress and information on proficiency level students are expected to meet. An agenda, sign-in sheet and minutes for this meeting will serve to support the meeting and file in the school’s office. Stephanie Pickett-Principal, 447-6802.

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