R.C. Hemphill Elementary School
714 12th Street S.W.
Birmingham, AI. 35221
Dr. Gwendolyn Tilghman, Principal
Third – Fifth Grades
School Compact
R.C. Hemphill Elementary and the parents of the students participating in activities, services,
and programs funded by Title I, Part A of the No Child Left Behind Act of2001 (participating
children), agree that this compact outlines how the parents, the entire school staff, and the
students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the
means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership that will help
children achieve the State's high standards.
This school- parent compact is in effect during the 2012-2013 school year.
School Responsibilities:
Hemphill Elementary will:
1. Provide high quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and
effective learning environment that enables the participating children to
meet the State's student academic achievement standards as follows:
In order to provide a high quality curriculum and instructional program, our school strives
to employ highly qualified teachers according to Alabama State Department of Education
and No Child Left Behind requirements. We also utilize the Alabama Course of Studies
/Common Core Standards for each subject area. We incorporate a rigorous curriculum and
instructional best practices to meet the academic needs of all students. Our district goals and
objectives, as well as the national and state standards serve as a blueprint for a quality
curriculum.
Our goal is to provide high quality professional development to teachers and other staff
members that will increase adult learning that transfers to individual student performance.
Based on our needs assessment, we provide professional development opportunities designed
to improve student performance. Professional development is job embedded and student
focused.
Hemphill has maintained a successful intervention program. An intervention teacher has
been assigned to third and fourth grade to work with students in reading and math. The
intervention teachers will provide an opportunity for students to gain additional practice
and extend the learning time for individual students. The intervention teachers are retired
certified or aspiring teachers seeking Highly Qualified status.
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R.C. Hemphill serves as a literacy demonstration site for The Alabama Reading
Initiative. Teachers have had extensive training in reading, writing and language
concepts. They incorporate the ARI modules, strategies, and best practices in the
classroom daily.
2. Hold parent - teacher conferences (at least annually in elementary schools)
during which this compact will be discussed as it relates to the individual
child's achievement.
R.C. Hemphill has an annual Title I parent meeting in September. During the annual meeting,
parents and teachers work together to review and update the school's compacts, complete
surveys and evaluations. In addition, Birmingham City Schools participate in the state-wide
Parent Involvement Day in October. The School- Parent Compact is discussed during the
Parent Involvement Day and PTA meetings. Furthermore, parents may contact the teachers for
a parent - teacher meeting. All grade levels have a designated team meeting each week;
parents are encouraged to meet with the entire team or individual teachers. The compact may
be addressed during grade level seminars.
3. Provide parents with frequent reports on their children's progress.
Parents are encouraged to communicate with teachers on a regular basis. However, the district
has a specific time designated. Parent, teacher and student collaboration during report card
and progress monitoring will provide the venue for teachers and parents to discuss each
student's educational needs and successes. Teachers will provide a syllabus at the opening of
school and in January. Teachers will address individual student's academic needs by using
data to teach, reteach and monitor progress.
Progress reports are sent home in September, November, February, and April. Report cards
are sent home in October, January, March, and May. Parents may also review student progress
and daily grades by using the internet program provided by Birmingham City Schools STI
information system. In addition, parents are provided pertinent information about progress
reports, report cards, assignments, projects and activities through the Hemphill handbook and
website www.hemphillhawks.com. Parents may access the website to view assignments that
are developed specifically for their child's homeroom class.
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4. Provide parents reasonable access to staff.
In addition to the state- wide Parental Involvement Day, we hold PT A meetings and
teacher conferences. Parents may also email teachers and contact the main office for
information. Staff members are available to parents during their regular team meeting
sessions that are held weekly.
Parent Conferences and Data Meetings
Wednesday
Fifth Grade- 8:30 - 9:30
Fourth Grade- 9:30 - 10:30
Third Grade - 10:30 -11:30
Second Grade- 12:00 - 1:00
Kindergarten - 1:00 - 2:00
Thursday
First Grade 9:00 - 10:00
5. Provide parents opportunities to volunteer and participate in their
child's class, and to observe classroom activities, as follows:
Parents are expected to actively participate in their child's education. We encourage parental
involvement on every level. Specifically, parents are provided with an overview of our goals,
objectives and mission for the school. Our parent liaison, teachers and administrators provide
information to parents via newsletters, parent seminars and conferences. They may volunteer
to assist staff and the administration in the following areas and participate in various activities
such as:
Title I Continuous Improvement Planning (E-CIP)
Newsletter Committee
Parent Patrol
Planning Parent Seminars and Workshops
Volunteers in gymnasium, lunchroom, duty free lunch, classroom and main office
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Parent Responsibilities
We, as parents, will support our children's learning in the following ways:
Serving on the School Improvement Committees (Title I, E- CIP)
Volunteering for the Parent Safety Patrol, Lunchroom, Gymnasium or Classroom
Attending Parent - Teacher Conferences
Attending PT A Meeting
Monitoring their child's grades, homework and special projects
Supporting the mission, vision and goals of the school
Monitor progress of Think Link, ARMT+ practice test
Ensure that students are punctual for school everyday
Provide moral support to the faculty and staff members
Participate in the Alabama Positive Behavior Support Program
Parents agreed to patrol 12th Street SW and Tuscaloosa Ave.
before and after school
Student Responsibilities
We, as students, will share the responsibility to improve our academic achievement and
achieve the State's high standards. Specifically, we will:
Learn the Hemphill pledge and motto
Respect myself and others at all times
Complete all assignments and projects in a timely manner
Reading for 30 minutes each day/Math concepts 30 minutes each day
Practice weekly writing assignments using the following modes of writing: Narrative,
Expository and Descriptive
Study the district Code of Conduct Manual, take the assessment and abide by the rules.
Learn the Alabama positive Behavior Expectations Matrix: Be Respectful,
Be Responsible and Be Resourceful.
Signatures:
Gwendolyn Tilghman, Principal
School
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Date
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Parent(s)
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Date
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Student
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Date
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