Smyrna Elementary School
Cobb County School District
“Empowering Dreams for the Future”
Mr. Brett Ward
Mrs. Melissa Rone
Principal
Assistant Principal
Parent Involvement Policy
2015-2016
Revised: Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Smyrna Elementary is a School-wide Program. As of February 2012, the State of Georgia was granted a waiver
from NCLB. According to the definitions in the waiver, Smyrna Elementary School has not been given a school
designation this year.
The Smyrna Elementary School students need rigorous instruction and learning opportunities to help them improve in the
areas of Math, Writing, Science, and Social Studies. The measurable goals/benchmarks we have established to address the
needs are…
Goal #1: Increase by 5 % the number of students meeting/exceeding standards in ELA.
Goal #2: Increase by 5 % the number of students meeting/exceeding standards in Math.
Goal #3: Increase by 5% the number of students meeting/exceeding standards in Science.
Goal #4: Increase by 5% the number of students meeting/exceeding standards in SS.
Smyrna Elementary School has jointly developed this policy and compact with our parents to describe how we will
support the important role of parents in the education of their children. In cases where the students reside in a
Neglected and Delinquent residential facility, a representative from that Facility can serve as a proxy for the parent
(s). At Smyrna Elementary School, we build capacity for parent/community involvement by implementing the six
types of involvement: Parenting, Communications, Parent Volunteering, Learning at Home, Decision-making and
Governance, and Collaboration and Exchanges in the Community. This policy will be distributed by sending a copy
home in the Student Tuesday Folder. Additional copies of the policy will be available to all new parents at the time
they register their child (ren) at Smyrna Elementary School.
Based on the requirements of Title I Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965(ESEA), Section 1118 and
the needs identified by our parents and school staff surveys, we will provide reasonable support for parental
involvement activities as parent may request. The following strategies were outlined:
I.
The Smyrna Elementary School will provide training to educate the teachers, pupil services personnel,
principal, and other staff in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal
partners, in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to implement and coordinate
parent programs, and build ties between parents and the school, by providing Professional
Development on Parent Involvement that addresses 6 standards to build parent capacity.
Offer programs and learning opportunities for all students, teachers and parents. Some of our programs
include: Family Literacy, Parent Open House, Annual Title I Meeting, Math/Science Curriculum
Night, and Professional Learning to Staff, Future Smyrna Stars Night, and Summer Kindergarten
Camp.
II.
An annual Title I information session and other flexible scheduled meetings will be held throughout
the school year. These meetings will cover the following information:
a. Title I Programs
b. College and Career Ready Performance Index
c. Parent’s right to know about Teacher and Paraprofessional qualifications
d. Parent Information Workshops & Parent volunteering
e. School policies and procedures
f. School curriculum
g. Student assessments
h. Local and State assessments
i. Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (K-12)
j. Transitioning from Pre-K to Kindergarten, Smyrna Elementary to Campbell Middle
III.
Parents will receive information from our school in their child’s home language in a timely manner.
Smyrna Elementary School uses the following communication methods to provide parent with timely
information:
Monthly Principal’s Newsletter
Monthly Teacher’s Newsletter
Parent Teacher Conferences
Phone System
IV.
Smyrna Elementary will build capacity for strong parental involvement. In order to ensure effective
involvement, we encourage all families to be education partners in their children’s school success by:
a. Inviting parents to attend all meetings by giving them the Smyrna Elementary School Parent
Involvement Activities Plan.
b. Inviting parents to serve on committees such as the School Council, School Improvement Plan
Committee, and Parent Policy/Compact Action Planning Committee.
c. Providing meetings held during the school day and outside school hours. These dates and times
are listed in the Smyrna Elementary School Parent Involvement Activities Plan.
d. Welcoming our Parents to visit our Parent Resource Center located on the first floor room #1148
open every day from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Various topics might include child development,
academic strategies, self-help strategies, and multiple games and books to increase student
achievement.
e. Providing transitioning activities such as Kindergarten Camp and raising six graders. Parents are
invited to participate in a segment were important curriculum information, rules and regulation are
disclose to be prepared and help with the transition of their child. Kindergarten kids meet with the
kindergarten team during summer camp getting to know the school, routines, centers, and
participating in different activities including small and large group in the actual kindergarten class
rooms.
We also invited parents to participate in different meetings to learn about Middle School in
campus and off campus. Information about Middle School Tours is send home for parents to find
the time that best fit on their busy schedule.
f. Providing reasonable support such as childcare for them to be able to attend different programs in
the school building so as Family Literacy, Family Learning Night. This year we are introducing
new classes like English as a Second Language, Computer Classes, continue education an
opportunity for adults to finish elementary through middle school.
V.
Parents will be provided information on school performance and student’s individual assessments:
a. Information on school performance is sent home at the first meeting with the school package.
Additional copies are available at the front office upon request and to all new parents at the time
they register the student.
b. The results of standardized tests are discussed with parents during conferences. The student
profiles are given to parents at conferences, some are mailed out to the parents or they may be
picked up during summer months. School results are posted on
www.cobbk12.org/elementaryschools/Smyrnaelementary
c. Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held to further assist parents in/with the opportunity to give
input on how to work with their children.
VI.
Parents and community members will be given timely responses to their concerns and suggestions.
a. All concerns and suggestions submitted in writing or verbally are responded to in a timely manner.
Concerns and suggestions regarding the regarding the Title I Plan will. be submitted to the Title I
office. Information from parent surveys has resulted in the development of the Smyrna
Elementary School Parent Activities Plan.
VII.
School Parent Compact
a. The parent compact was developed jointly on April 16, 2014 with our parents, staff, and students.
All families, school staff, and students are asked to participate by signing the compact to show
their support. The compact will be distributed at Parent-Teacher Conference from Monday,
October 19, until Friday, October 23, 2015.
VIII.
School and Community Partnership
a. Our school builds ties between home and school by educating teachers, pupil services personnel,
administration, and other staff by gathering input from parents on how to reach out to,
communicate with, and work with parents as equal educational partners.
b. Our school partnerships with the local community include First Baptist Church of
Smyrna, Tillman Methodist Church, Halpern Enterprises, Inc., North Metro Martial Arts, State
Farm Insurance-Joe DeBose, Smyrna Golden Kiwanis, Keep Smyrna Beautiful, City of Smyrna
Education Foundation, City of Smyrna Fire Department, Wickham Financial and Insurance
Services, Tara Simon Performing Arts Studio. These organizations support Smyrna Elementary by
providing mentors, reading programs, student and staff recognition, and instructional
materials/programs. We are fortunate to be part of a community who truly wants to be involved in
our school.
If you have additional questions or concerns about this policy contact James B. Ward at (678) 842-6741 or at
James.Ward@cobbk12.org