School Level Parental Involvement Policy
Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy
School Plan for Shared Student Achievement
School Information
Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy Parental
Involvement Policy
2014-2015
Revision Date November 10, 2014
Tonya Douglass
1400 First Avenue
706-748-2702
www.downtownmagnetacademy.weebly.com
[Plan Revision Date: MM/DD/YYYY]
What is Title I?
Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy is
identified as a Title I school as part of the
Elementary and Secondary Education act of
1965 (ESEA). Title I is a federal grant that
was designed to ensure that all children
receive a high quality education and reach
grade level proficiency. Title I programs
must be based on effective means of
improving student achievement and include
strategies to support parental involvement.
All Title I schools must jointly develop with
all parents a written Parental Involvement
Policy.
What is it?
The Parental Involvement Policy describes how Downtown Elementary Magnet (DEMA)
will provide opportunities to improve parent engagement to support student learning.
DEMA values the contributions and involvement of parents in order to establish partnership
for the common goal of improving student achievement. The Parental Involvement Policy
describes the different ways the school will support parent engagement and how parents can
be involved.
How is it developed?
DEMA welcomes parent input and comments at any time regarding the Parental Involvement
Policy. All parent feedback will be used to revise the plan for next year. The Parental
Involvement Policy is available for parents to view and provide feedback throughout the
year. DEMA also distributes a Title I Annual Survey to ask parents for suggestions on the
Parental Involvement Policy and the use of funds for parent involvement.
Who is it for?
All parents at DEMA are encouraged and invited to fully participate in the opportunities
described in the Parental Involvement Policy. DEMA will provide full opportunities for the
participation of parents with Limited English, parents with disabilities, and parents of
migratory children.
Where is it available?
At the beginning of the year, the Parental Involvement Plan is included in the student
handbook given out to all students. As a reminder, DEMA will send another copy to parents
prior to the Title I Annual Parent Meeting. Parents can also receive a copy of the Parental
Involvement Policy in the Parent Resource Room/Area, the front office of the school and on
the school’s website.
School Level Parental Involvement Policy
Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy
District Goals


The percentage of students in grades 3-5
scoring proficient or higher in ELA will meet
or exceed state average as measured by
Georgia Milestones
The percentage of students in grades 3-5
scoring proficient or higher in Math will meet
or exceed state average as measured by
Georgia Milestones
School Goals
Our focus in reading will be for students to improve in
the specific area of reading for information
Our focus in math will be for students to improve in
the areas of measurement and data analysis as well as
in numbers and operations
What is a School-Parent Compact?
As part of the Parental Involvement Policy, DEMA
and our families will develop a School-Parent
Compact. A School-Parent Compact for
Achievement is an agreement that parents, students,
and teachers develop together. It explains how
parents and teachers will work together to make
sure all our students reach grade-level standards.
The compact will be reviewed and updated annually
based on feedback from parents, students, and
teachers. The School-Parent Compacts are kept in
the Parent Resource Are/Room. A copy will also be
kept with each child’s teacher if parents need a
copy.
Parent Involvement Program and Activities at Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy
DEMA will host the following events, workshops, and activities to build parent capacity and increase
student academic achievement. All parents will be sent invitations, on school’s website, on school’s bulletin
board, and through Connect-Ed Message.
Annual Title I Parent Meeting/Open House (August/September):
Evening of learning and sharing about our Title I program including: Parental Involvement Policy, School
Improvement Plan, Parent-School Compact, and the parents’ requirements. Meeting child’s teacher and staff and
receive CCGPS Overview
Grandparent’s Activity (September) – Collaboration with M L Terry Library
Learn helpful information to prepare for the school year
Parent EnVision Math Family Engagement Activity (October/November)
Learn how to support and make math fun at home
Parent Reading Wonders Family Engagement Activity (October/November)
Learn how to support and make reading fun at home
Georgia Milestones (October/January)
Learn how students are assessed in the different areas of your child’s academics
Parent-Teacher Conferences (October/February)
Scheduled updates on your child’s progress
Technology Treasures Family Engagement Activity (December/January)
Catch up with the latest resources to help support student learning
Lunch and Learn and Moms on a Mission (Monthly)
Gain knowledge about topics relevant to your child’s education and parenthood
Georgia Milestones Test Taking Skills Family Engagement Activity (February)
Learn how to help student prepare to take major tests
Switching Tracks: Transitioning from Pre-K to Kindergarten (December/May)
Switching Tracks: Transitioning from Elementary to Middle School (October/March)
November 10, 2014
School Level Parental Involvement Policy
Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy
What is Parental Involvement?
School Measures to Provide Required Assistance
DEMA believes that parental Involvement means
the participation of parents in regular two-way and
meaningful communication involving student
achievement.
DEMA will take the following measures to promote and support parents in the following
ways:
 Ensure all information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and
activities are published in both English and Spanish, posted on the school’s
website, included in monthly newsletters, and posted on school’s parent board.
 Conduct staff development twice a year on parent involvement practices and
effective strategies for staff to communicate and build partnerships with parents
 Partner with Head Start, Pre-K programs, daycares to share information about
parent engagement activities that will help prepare parents and their child for
kindergarten.
 Share information in English and Spanish in the school’s newsletter and on the
website for parents to understand the schools’ academic standards and assessment
as well as ways parents can monitor their child’s progress.
 Communicate with all families on a regular basis regarding school events,
workshops and activities, through Connect-Ed, parent board, newsletters, flyers,
and website.
 Provide materials at conferences, workshops, and activities to help parents work
with their child at home
 Create and maintain a Parent Resource Room to allow parents opportunities to
check-out materials to assist them with helping their child at home.
 Listen to parents to provide workshops and training that meet the needs of the
parents and support parental involvement at the school
 Collaborate with the community and Partners in Education to increase participation
and awareness of the school parental involvement plan and activities.
DEMA believes:
 Parents play an integral role in assisting
their child’s learning
 Parents are encouraged to be actively
involved in their child’s education.
 Parents are full partners in their child’s
education and included in the decisionmaking of their child’s education
Assistance to Parents (Parent Liaison/FSC)
Effective parental involvement will not be an
occasional event, such as a parent conference;
rather it will be an on-going process. DEMA is
committed to helping our parents by maintain a
Parent Resource Room for parents to check out
materials to use at home with their child. Please
contact Kathy Thompson Ware if you need
assistance.
November 10, 2014
School Level Parental Involvement Policy
Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy
Parental Involvement Standards
DEMA and our parents have adopted the
National PTA Standards for Family-School
Partnership as the school’s model in
engaging parents, students, and the
community.
_______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
The National PTA Standards are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Welcoming All Families
Communicating Effectively
Supporting Student Success
Speaking Up for Every Child
Sharing Power
Collaborating with Community
Need Homework Help? Connect With a Live Tutor Free of Charge.
The Chattahoochee Valley Libraries is now offering live online homework help powered by
Brainfuse. Expert tutors will be available daily from 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. to assist students in
grades K-12 with Math, Science, Social Studies, English, SAT/ACT Prep and more.
Share Your Ideas
DEMA invites all parents to share ideas and
ways to involve other parents to build
partnerships with the school, families, and
community. Parents can share ideas and
suggestions during all activities, workshops
and events as well as through surveys. If you
would like to share your ideas, please call
Kathleen Thompson Ware at 706-748-2706 or
leave message in the Main office.
What is CLUE?
Chattahoochee Libraries United with Education, or CLUE, is a special account for Muscogee County
School District students & teachers allowing access to Chattahoochee Valley Library’s electronic
resources remotely.
November 10, 2014