The policy establishes the school’s expectations for parent and family engagement and describes how the  school will carry out programs, activities, and procedures in accordance with the following statutory definition of parent and family engagement:  Parent and Family Engagement means the participation of families in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including ensuring:

• families play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning;
• families are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school;
• families 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; and
• other activities are carried out, such as those described in Section 1116 of the ESSA.

(1) Parents shall be notified of the policy in an understandable and uniform format and, to the extent practicable, provided in a language the parents can understand.

During the annual, beginning of the year Parent Orientation Night, we have our annual Title I meeting where our plan is explained.  Portions of this plan and specific events are communicated to parents via parent letters, school newsletters, and parent meetings.  The plan is posted on the school’s website and in the student planner.

(2) Such policy shall be made available to the local community and updated periodically to meet the changing needs of parents and the school.

Parents can view our plan on the school website or have access to it on the site.  Periodic updates are made as needed to reflect school needs based on data gleaned from our annual Family and Community Engagement survey results.  Input from parents through our parent and community group is also encouraged.

Parents can suggest updates through emails, in person, or with written communications.

(3) The school will convene an annual meeting, at a convenient time, to which all parents of participating children shall be invited and encouraged to attend, to inform parents of their school's participation under this part and to explain the requirements of this part, and the right of the parents to be involved.

Evidence such as agenda/minutes, attendance rosters, copy of power point, and communication is collected for documentation.

(4) The school offers a flexible number of meetings, such as meetings in the morning or evening, and may provide, with funds provided under this part, transportation, child care, or home visits, as such services relate to parental involvement.

Since a large percentage of our student population qualifies for free or reduced meals, we continually take measures to accommodate families from diverse backgrounds.  We offer our families during and after school opportunities to be involved and engaged in our school operations when CDC/LEA guidelines permit.

We provide academic support to students needing remediation before-school and after-school to accommodate different schedules. 

Jones Cove Elementary School’s administration and teachers schedule conferences in morning, afternoon, and evening hours to accommodate different schedules. 
Teachers at Jones Cove Elementary School communicate their availability to parents for discussions or phone conferences before school, during their planning time, and after school hours to accommodate different schedules.  Teacher email addresses are given to each parent.  Gradebook wizard login information is given to Parents/Guardians for grades 3-6.

(5) Parents are involved in an organized, ongoing, and timely way, in the planning, review, and improvement of programs under this part, including the planning, review, and improvement of the school parental involvement policy and the joint development of the schoolwide program plan under section 1114(b)(2), except that if a school has in place a process for involving parents in the joint planning and design of the school's programs, the school may use that process, if such process includes an adequate representation of parents of participating children.

Our Parent Advisory Council, which is comprised of the principal, 3 teachers, 1 instructional assistant, and several parent representatives, meets every six weeks.  This group developed the Parent Involvement Plan based on identified needs, input from families, and results from the annual Parent and Community Engagement Survey.  Decisions and actions are communicated through school newsletters and the school’s website.  The Parent Involvement Plan will be distributed at the beginning-of-the-year parent meetings/parent orientation. 

Jones Cove Elementary School’s Leadership Team was formed to review school assessment data and the content of the current school improvement plan as well as make decisions impacting school priorities for improvement. 

(6) The school provides parents of participating children timely information about Title I programs.

In order to communicate regularly with families, Jones Cove Elementary School sends home:

• Information during the first week of school identifying the school as a Title I federally funded school.
• A school handbook/planner containing important information and school procedures is available to all families through our school website.  A paper copy of this handbook/planner is provided to all families upon enrollment.
• Grade-level parent meetings are held to communicate class schedules, attendance, use of assignment books, and expectations for student learning and behavior.  Parents who are unable to attend are provided with alternate dates and times to meet with classroom teachers and principal to discuss these important issues.
• Newsletters to families are provided each six weeks
• Students in PK-8 use grade-appropriate planners to communicate with families on a daily basis.
• Our principal publishes school newsletters monthly.  Paper copies are available to parents who do not have internet access.  Portions of these newsletters are translated for Hispanic speaking parents. 
• The Sevier County School System’s webmaster uses the district website to communicate with families.  In addition to important school dates, events, and reminders, parents may use the Parent Link section found on our district’s website.  This link provides parents with many resources for parental involvement, homework help, parenting tips, etc.
• Teachers provide parents with their email addresses in order to provide parents with an easy form of communication.  Several teachers maintain a web page containing announcements, homework assignments, and other important information.
• Teachers send home progress reports and six-week report cards to inform parents of their child’s academic performance.  Parents may also check student grades online via Gradebook Wizard.
• A social media, Facebook, page is maintained with up-to-date school information.

(7) The school provides parents of participating children a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet.

The following are ways that curriculum and assessments are communicated to our families:

• *In regard to curriculum:  Teachers send newsletters highlighting current curricular focus to parents.  The curriculum is also discussed with parents at our fall Open House, at grade-level parent meetings, and at our Parent Night event.  At the beginning of each school year, each parent receives a copy of the Parents’ Guide to the Curriculum which outlines what their child is expected to know and be able to do at the end of each grade level. 
• *In regard to assessment:  The principal and teachers review the prior year’s test results.  Brochures and letters are sent home accompanying State Test results as soon as it is feasible.  If parents have questions about the results, they schedule meetings with the principal or teacher.  Parents also receive information regarding other assessments such as MasteryConnect Benchmarks and Aimsweb Benchmarks periodically throughout the year.

(8) Per parent request- opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and respond to any suggestions as soon as practically possible.

When a child is experiencing difficulty, teachers at Jones Cove Elementary conference with parents to discuss how to motivate the child, offer suggestions for remediation/enrichment, and solicit help and support from home.  Similarly, when a parent requests a meeting with teachers, they come together with the administrator to listen to the views and challenges faced by the parent and offer suggestions and/or accommodations to best meet the needs of the student.  The teachers and support staff work together to carry through with recommendations, suggestions, and requests for help made by parents.

(9) A process is in place to submit parent comments on the school wide program (SIP) if it is not satisfactory to the parents when the school makes the plan available to the district/LEA. (10)  A parent school compact is jointly developed with parents and describes the responsibilities of each stakeholder as required by ESSA Sec. 1116.

Parent comments are always welcome at Jones Cove Elementary School.  Parent representatives on the Parent Advisory Council and parents on the SIP committees provide input.  These groups meet periodically throughout the school year.  Family and community members can submit comments via a link on the school wide program on the district’s website at http://www.sevier.org/TitleI/index.html. 

(10) A parent school compact is jointly developed with parents and describes the responsibilities of each stakeholder as required by ESSA Sec. 1116.

The school compact is signed by teacher, student, parent, and principal at the beginning of each school year.

Each stakeholder’s responsibility is listed on the compact.  Everyone is responsible for the student’s education.

These compacts are kept on file at the school.

(11) Building capacity for involvement- Assistance is provided to parents in understanding topics such as the State’s academic content standards, State student academic achievement standards, State and local academic assessments, and how to monitor a child’s progress and work with educators to improve student achievement.

Parent training sessions are held by our school Guidance Counselor, Stacy Mynuk, at different times of the day. Our administrator discusses current changes/results in regard to data and the school’s areas of success and areas of greatest need at monthly meetings or other times as needed.  Our administrator informs families of celebrations, curricular changes/needs, and upcoming assessments through newsletters, Facebook, and the school’s website. 

(12) Building capacity for involvement- Materials and training are provided to help parents work with their children to improve their achievement, such as literacy training and using technology to foster parent and family engagement.

The following opportunities are presented annually to families: 

• Title I parent materials are placed in a Parent Resource Center.
• Parent training sessions are held by our school guidance counselor at different times of day on topics requested by parents or listed as a need on a parent survey.
• Parent involvement activities are held by school representatives during after-school hours.  Some examples include:  Literacy Night, LEAPS family night, Monster Marathon, Christmas in the Cove, and spring fling.

(13) Building capacity for involvement- Staff are educated, with the assistance of parents, in the value and contributions of parents, and in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with as equal partners, implement and coordinate parent programs, build ties between parents and the school.

In addition to attending staff development opportunities relating to family engagement, the Jones Cove faculty and staff research and brainstorm on-going ideas on  how to increase and promote family participation, collaboration, and contribution.  The following are examples:  Students in K-6 use grade-appropriate student planners to communicate daily with families.  Newsletters are sent home weekly and/or monthly from classroom teachers.  Newsletters are sent home monthly by the administrator.  Email communication is used between parents, administrator, and teachers. 

Conferences between parents/teachers/administrator occur as needed.

The school website address is communicated to parents in the beginning-of-the-year information packet.  The website includes information on the following:  student handbook, school motto, mission statement, beliefs, and vision, celebrations of students, faculty, and staff, school calendar and important dates, roster of faculty/staff with communication links via email, grade-level parent meetings are held to communicate class schedules, attendance,  use of student planners, and expectations for student learning and behavior.  Parents who are unable to attend are provided with alternate dates and times to meet with classroom teachers.  Staff members participate in presentations designed to inform all staff members of the value in active parent involvement.

(14) Building capacity for involvement- To the extent feasible and appropriate, Title I-A parent and family engagement programs are coordinated and integrated with parent involvement activities with Head Start, Reading First, Early Reading First, Even Start, the Home Instruction Programs for Preschool Youngsters, the Parents as Teachers Program, and public preschool and other programs, and conduct other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children.

In an effort to smooth the transition from home to school for young children, the following measures are in place: 

Kindergarten registration is an opportunity to welcome future parents to our building, gather paperwork, communicate needs, and positively begin a relationship with Jones Cove Elementary School’s future parents.  Many staff members and parent volunteers are involved in this process.  Students entering Kindergarten in the fall begin on a staggered attendance schedule.  The use of this schedule serves to ease the transition from PreK or home to Kindergarten classes.  Pre-K students visit the kindergarten classroom for a portion of one day to see “the life of a kindergartener” during the spring semester of the year prior to kindergarten enrollment.  The Pre-K teacher is closely involved with families through monthly family events held outside the school day which include picnics, literacy nights, or other outings to help establish rapport and strong school/family relationships to support school success. 

(15) Building capacity for involvement- Provide other reasonable support for Parent and Family Engagement activities per parent request. (Example:  transportation, childcare)

Every effort is made to assist our parents with limited English proficiency.  Many district/school documents are available in both English and Spanish.  Translators are brought in to interpret during meetings with families with limited English proficiency as needed.  Faculty, staff, or other volunteers are also available to assist parents in reading forms and completing paperwork.  Information disseminated to families is sent in clear, simple English.  Forms are often sent home in English and in Spanish versions where applicable.  Childcare is provided for many parent/guardian events.  The school staff and the Parent Advisory Council also seek to actively involve parents with opportunities to volunteer within the school and provide a mentor to help these parents by providing support or transition. 

(16) Accessibility-Local educational agencies and schools, to the extent practicable, shall provide full opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children, including providing information and school reports in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language parents understand.

Parent meetings are conducted throughout the school year or on an as needed basis providing parents with information concerning their child’s education, materials to practice and support identified skills relative to their child’s learning, and tips for parents, while fostering a positive relationship between the home and school environment.  Two-way communication involves a variety of media such as phone calls, emails, and person-to-person conferencing

(17) The school will actively involve the families of children served in Title I, Part A schools in decisions about how the funds reserved for parent and family engagement are spent.

The financial committee includes administrator, teachers, paraprofessional, and parents.  They meet on an as needed basis to discuss fundraising ideas along with expenditures needed for classrooms.  The Title I Budget is discussed with the financial committee before allocations are made.  Parent surveys are considered when discussing how funds are spent.