ParentAcademy

Building a School Community

Presentation byAndrea T. Dorfzaun &

Scott D. Ross

Thinking PointsThinking Points

1. Parent Involvement2. Student Achievement/

Attendance3. Community Partnership4. Changing Families /

Communities5. Needs of the Teachers /

Parents / Students

HMS Background HMS Background InformationInformation

• Baldwin-Whitehall School District• Southern suburb of Pittsburgh• Changing population

– Growing minority population– Increased ESL population– Transient population

• Changing curriculum and expectations• State standards, testing, and results• No Child Left Behind Legislation

Parental InvolvementParental Involvement

• Promotes positive student attitudes

• Opens lines of communication

• Builds a sense of community• Overall student performance

increases• How do you build lines of

communication?

Goals / ObjectivesGoals / Objectives

• Building partnerships• Expectations• Increase in daily student

attendance• Increase in student

achievement• Building communication

bridges

DevelopmentDevelopment

• Contractual 2 hour obligation – Prior use “Parent Interaction” time– Needed better forum for parent

interaction

• Parent meetings (Team)– Identified a trend– Parents had the same questions

and concerns

• Pro-active – Go to the Parents– Address needs before they become

problem

DevelopmentDevelopment

• Identification of Parent Needs and Interests

– Formed a Parent Academy Committee• Administrators• Teachers• Para-professionals

– Created a list of possible topics

– Surveyed parents• Based on teacher driven ideas• Recommended topics by parents

Possible TopicsPossible Topics

• Time Management and Organization

• Textbook Reading Strategies for the Content Areas

• Middle School Mathematic Standards

• Research Procedures

Possible TopicsPossible Topics

• Writing Across the Curriculum

• Developing Lifelong Readers• Understanding the Middle

School Child• Student Involvement

Beyond the Classroom• Transitions in the Middle

School

Scheduling EventScheduling Event

• Calendar considerations– Concerts– Sporting Events– Holidays

• Locations– School– Community - Outreach

• Staffing Considerations

Planning School EventPlanning School Event

• Scheduled on the yearly calendar

• Sent an e-mail to the entire staff

• Develop flyer and webpage (included)

• Parents RSVP via phone/email

• Develop program (Included)

Evening ScheduleEvening Schedule

• Opening by principal • Three Sessions

– Teachers present twice– Off-session – Teachers can

informally meet with parent

• PTSA Involvement– Refreshments– Use their network of parents

Planning Outreach Planning Outreach ProgramProgram

• Sent an e-mail to the staff• Select rotating community

venues• Develop flyer and webpage• Develop program • Evening schedule

– Focused on fewer topics– Casual, interactive

atmosphere

Outreach ScheduleOutreach Schedule

• Possible Topics– Positive start to school– Behavior Issues /

Improvement Plans– Positive habits at home

• Casual, Interactive Atmosphere

– Allows parents to ask more questions

FeedbackFeedback

• Survey included w/ Program– Positive Feedback

• Scheduling Problems– Active schedule of middle

school students– Best Attended Event

• Teen Center (Dance)• Students admitted free w/ a

parent

ImprovementsImprovements

• Recent Improvements– Outreach Component– Parental Requested Topics– Flexibility

• Potential Improvements– Transportation– Community Participation

• Featured Speakers• Partnerships with other

Organizations

Culminating ActivityCulminating Activity

• Culminating Activity– Devise a plan for your building

• What can your school do to reach the parents in your school?