Swartz Creek Community Schools
Parent Involvement Plan
Public Act 107 directs school districts to adopt and implement a parent involvement plan designed to encourage parental participation in the schools. Swartz Creek Community School District has always valued parent involvement and provided opportunities to that end. New opportunities for participation are continually sought to maximize the positive benefits children experience when parents are extensively involved in the schools.
Existing Opportunities for Parent Involvement:
Pre-School (Ages 0 – 5)
This nationally recognized program provides home visits by a skilled parent educator who will share developmental information and activities specific to the age and characteristics of each child. Group classes are also held at the Child Development Center along with fun, parent-child play sessions.
The Michigan School Readiness Program is a tuition free preschool that prepares children for kindergarten. Eligible students are children of Swartz Creek School District who attain age four by December 1st of the current year. The preschool is funded by a grant from the Michigan Board of Education. The State has identified 25 factors that may affect your child’s education at any time in their kindergarten through 12th grade school career. Your child must meet two factors to be eligible for the program. Contact the Child Development Center for more information.
Individual Potential Plans
All students have Individual Potential Plans
which are developed collaboratively by teachers and parents
and contain academic goals for the students to allow the students to reach their
potential. The individual plans which are in electronic
format are slated to be web-based in the future.
Parent Teacher Associations
Each building has a parent-teacher organization. The groups provide funds and manpower to enrich the educational experiences of the student body. Membership is open to all parents within
the district.
Volunteers
Every building values the contributions of volunteers. Opportunities exist for parents to assist in classrooms, libraries and computer labs. Parents are encouraged to participate in field trips by
taking on the roll of chaperones. Homeroom parents plan and supervise classroom parties and often assist with classroom fundraising. Buildings also seek parents’ help for book fairs, bake sales, field days, walking clubs and special activities like “Jump Rope for Heart”.
Newsletters/Publications
Buildings regularly send out newsletters to keep parents up-to-date on all
building activities and opportunities for involvement Included with
the newsletters are parenting tips and other
relevant information that parents
should know about educating their children.. District newspapers are
produced
quarterly and are delivered by US Mail to all residents of Swartz Creek School
District.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are held twice a year. Each parent is requested to meet with the teacher at both conferences. Parents are encouraged to contact teachers whenever a situation arises, however.
Buildings schedule open houses early in the school year so that parents can become familiar with the building and meet the teachers as well as other school personnel.
Several buildings utilize student planners as a means of communicating with parents about homework assignments and behavior. The planners provide a forum for daily interaction between teacher and parents.
At the beginning of every year, students receive handbooks that provide the most complete information possible on rules, expectations and policies.
Report cards are distributed four times a year. Between marking periods, parents receive progress reports which notify parents of any academic concerns.
Frequently, teachers provide informational sessions for parents on some aspect of teaching and learning. Past sessions have included informational programs on Accelerated Reader and the STAR tests which are taken by elementary and middle school students. Family Math Night has been held in several buildings.
Parenting Seminars
Love and Logic is just one seminar that is frequently offered for parents. Substance abuse seminars, such as the FANG program, inform parents of what they can do to help their children be free of abusing substances. Other programs presented are “Helping Your Child Understand Their Emotions” and “Read With Your Child”.
Student Performances for Parents
Many opportunities are provided for parents to come into the schools and observe students’ demonstrations of learning.
School Marquis
Relevant school information is posted on the school marquis located on Miller Rd. with students to make important decisions about academic programming.
District Website
The District Website provides the latest information on school calendars, activities and programs as well as links to pertinent information for school families and community members.
Secondary Level
Open House
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Student Handbooks
Report Cards and Progress Reports
Volunteers
Newsletters
Student Performances
Individual Potential Plans
Parent Web
Parents are able to view their children’s attendance record and academic scores.
Band Boosters
Parents of students involved in instrumental music, meet together to support the
music program ofthe high school. Among the many contributions of
parents are assistance with programming and
fundraising..
Athletic Boosters
Parents of students involved in sports take responsibility for many aspects of the sports fundraising. Parents work the refreshment booth at events, take tickets, etc.
Club Sponsors
Parents assist with many after-school clubs such as Robotics and Legos.
Chaperones
Secondary parents are invited to chaperone dances.
Event Committees
Parents organize Spirit Night during Homecoming Week and supervise students building floats for the Homecoming Parade. Parents organize and facilitate the senior overnight event following graduation.
Academic Events
Parents serve on district and building committees including the Safety Committee and School Improvement Committee. Parents also serve as guest speakers for activities such as Career Day.
Educational Development Plan
Parents are an important part of their children’s career planning through the Education Development Plan process. Parents are asked to discuss program with their children and endorse course selections.