Family Engagement Policy

In support of strengthening student academic achievement, each school that receives Title I, Part A funds must develop jointly with, agree on with, and distribute to parents of participating children a written policy that contains information required by section 1118(a)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The A.Z. Kelley Elementary Family Engagement Policy includes input from parents and family members, community members, and school personnel in compliance with all pertinent mandates of state and federal regulatory standards as the following:

Local education agencies and the school, to the extent practicable, shall provide full opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency (building capacity by coordinating with Title 3 EL services when needed), 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. No person is to be excluded based on race, religion, creed, gender, socio-economic status, or age.
Build capacity for involvement by providing reasonable support for family engagement activities per parent request and offering meetings at varying times of day.
All families are involved in the planning, review, and improvement of the school’s Title I program through the Federal and State funds received by A.Z. Kelley Elementary, as a part of a School-Wide Title I Program. Each spring, parents will vote on the use of School- Wide Title I funds for the upcoming school year and participate in a survey to identify barriers to greater family participation.
For the purpose of this document, the words parents/family represent individuals within the extended family of the student or persons with a legitimate interest in the student who are the student’s legal guardians.

Parents, guardians, volunteers, and community groups, such as Pencil Partners, work with teachers and school administrators to support and advance the education process. All should advocate widespread community support of public schools in an effort to build a school environment that offers students the opportunity to be successful and become contributing members of the community.

Access

All stakeholders acknowledge the importance of school security and classroom instructional time. All parents/guardians will have access to their child’s school for the purpose of meetings, collaboration needs, and other scheduled activities in accordance with A.Z. Kelley Elementary policy.
All parents and guardians will have access to their children’s school file and other information regarding their children in accordance with A.Z. Kelley Elementary policy.

Communication

An Annual Meeting will be held to inform parents of their Title I rights and responsibilities, and opportunities to be involved under ESEA. Parents will be notified of Title I information through monthly school-wide newsletters. @AZKelleyES is our active Twitter account, @teamazkelley is our active Instagram account, and A.Z. Elementary School is our active Facebook account.
Parents and guardians will receive notification of their child’s academic status in the form of progress reports each mid- nine-week grading period, report cards each nine-week grading period, and through Family Portal. Accident reports and discipline problems will be reported to parents in a timely manner. Parents will be notified in writing if their child is to receive additional academic interventions at school.
Parents and guardians will be assisted in understanding the state’s standards, state and local academic assessments, including alternative assessments, and how to monitor their child’s progress.
Parent Teacher Conferences, in the fall, allow parents the opportunity to formulate suggestions and participate as appropriate with regard to decisions about their child’s education. The A.Z. Kelley Family Engagement Policy and the A.Z. Kelley School Compact will be reviewed by the teacher with parents, at this time. Parents/ guardians may schedule additional conferences on an individual basis as needed. If a student is in jeopardy of falling below grade level or having discipline problems, the teacher will contact the parents/ guardians and schedule a conference in a timely manner.

Involvement

Parents and guardians are provided opportunities to enhance support of the learning process at home through information provided during Town Hall meetings.
To build capacity for involvement, Title I-A family engagement strategies are coordinated and integrated within school level activities. Title I funds may be used to pay reasonable and necessary expenses associated with family engagement activities.

A.Z. Kelley Elementary School

Families

Family Involvement & Support