Appendix E- Parent and Family Engagement Policy 

2023-2024

Northview Intermediate School 

The written school Parent and Family Engagement Policy establishes the school’s expectation for Parent and Family Engagement and describes how the school will build the school and parent capacity for strong parent and family engagement. This plan includes all federal requirements, was developed with and agreed upon with parents, distributed to parents, and is being implemented. 

(1) Parents shall be notified of the policy in an understandable and uniform format and, to the extent practicable, provided in a language the parents can understand. 

During the annual, beginning of the school year Parent Orientation portions of this plan will be shared within a Google Slides presentation. Specific events are also communicated to parents via parent letters, school newsletters, email, and parent meetings. The plan is also posted on the school website.

(2) Such policy shall be made available to the local community and updated periodically to meet the changing needs of parents and the school. 

Parents can view our plan on the school website or have access to it on-site. Periodic updates are needed to reflect needs based on data collected from our annual Family and Community Engagement events. Input from parents through our parent and community groups are also encouraged. 

(3) The school will convene an annual meeting, at a convenient time, to which all parents of participating children shall be invited and encouraged to attend, to inform parents of their school's participation in this part and to explain the requirements of this part, and the right of the parents to be involved. 

Annual meeting Title 1 will be shared in person before parent orientation/open house through a Google Slide presentation, as well as electronically. Evidence of attendance and participation is collected via Google Forms or paper copy for the in-person meeting. 

(4) The school offers a flexible number of meetings, such as meetings in the morning or evening, and may provide, with funds provided under this part, transportation, child care, or home visits, as such services relate to parental involvement. 

Since a large percentage of our student population qualifies for free and reduced lunch. We continually take measures to accommodate families from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. We offer our families before and after school opportunities to be involved and engaged in our school operations. 

(5) Parents are involved in an organized, ongoing, and timely way, in the planning, review, and improvement of programs under this part, including the planning, review, and improvement

of the school parental involvement policy and the joint development of the schoolwide program plan under section 1114(b)(2), except that if a school has in place a process for involving parents in the joint planning and design of the school's programs, the school may use that process, if such process includes an adequate representation of parents of participating children. 

There are 4 site-based management committees: Safe and Orderly Environment, Culture of Teaching and Learning, Physical Plant, Family and Community Involvement. Parents are represented on each of the committees. (need parent volunteers to fill spaces) Committees meet and make action plans regularly. All four committees convene a few times a year for collaboration. 

(6) The school provides parents of participating children with timely information about programs under Title I. 

In order to communicate regularly with families we have a school Facebook/Instagram page, school website, newsletters in report cards. Individual teachers use Remind calling/texting system, school marquee, student agendas, GradeBook Wizard, and regular email system. 

(7) The school provides parents of participating children a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet. 

All families are provided the Parent's Guide to the Curriculum booklet. Parent-teacher conferences are conducted regularly, Mastery Connect screening results are sent home in graph form at least 3 times per year, and TNReady reports will be sent home when available. Teachers and administrators encourage parents to ask for an explanation of assessment results when necessary. 

(8) Per parent request- opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and respond to any suggestions as soon as practically possible. 

The PTA is open to all parents. Regular PTA meetings are advertised and held. The administration has an open-door policy. All school staff promptly respond to phone calls, emails, and notes. Our school board representative, principal, and other staff leaders meet with parents two times per year in an open round-table format. 

(9) A process is in place to submit parent comments on the school-wide program (SIP) if it is not satisfactory to the parents when the school makes the plan available to the district/LEA. 

Parents have the right to speak at meetings, in private or submit in writing any comments or concerns. To date we have not had any concerns or unsatisfied parents regarding our SIP; if concerns that cannot be addressed do arise, those comments will be submitted as a related document when the SIP is submitted to the LEA. 

(10) A parent-school compact is jointly developed with parents and describes the responsibilities of each stakeholder as required by ESSA Sec. 1116.

The parent-school compact is reviewed annually at a Document Review meeting and updated as necessary. Every parent, student, and teacher is required to sign it. The compact is reviewed at every parent-teacher conference. This review is documented on the P/T conference signature pages. 

(11) Building capacity for involvement- Assistance is provided to parents in understanding topics such as the State’s academic content standards, State student academic achievement standards, State and local academic assessments, and how to monitor a child’s progress and work with educators to improve student achievement. 

We use GradeBook Wizard which provides up-to-date information between teachers and parents regarding grades and assignments. Each family is provided a copy of the Parent's Guide to the Curriculum. Each student has a school planner that includes the school handbook, Title I policies, and avenues for handwritten parent-teacher communication when necessary. 

(12) Building capacity for involvement- Materials and training are provided to help parents work with their children to improve their achievement, such as literacy training and using technology to foster parent and family engagement. 

Parent's Guide to the Curriculum, student planners, and math fluency flashcards are provided to each family, as well as homework tips and newsletters are provided periodically on the school's FaceBook page and/or school website, additionally printed training materials are available at the front office desk at all times. 

(13) Building capacity for involvement- Staff are educated, with the assistance of parents, in the value and contributions of parents, and in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with as equal partners, implement and coordinate parent programs, build ties between parents and the school. 

The majority of the staff have had professional development and/or training to recognize students in need (Trauma-Informed practices)to better help build relationships with students and their families. Students of the Month are recognized with a breakfast, a certificate, and their photo is displayed in a high-traffic area near the entrance of the school. Parents are encouraged to communicate with their teachers regarding any concerns via phone call, email, or meeting. Teachers continually reach out to parents to make sure the needs of all students are met to the best of their ability. 

(14) Building capacity for involvement- To the extent feasible and appropriate, Title I-A parent and family engagement programs are coordinated and integrated with parent involvement activities with Head Start, Reading First, Early Reading First, Even Start, the Home Instruction Programs for Preschool Youngsters, the Parents as Teachers Program, and public preschool and other programs, and conduct other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children

HABIT programs (trained dog and his trainer) come to read with students; Dr. Seuss Week activities are planned to involve parents, students, and the community; band/chorus programs are planned in Dec. & May. Red Ribbon Week to recognize the importance of staying drug-free, fostering a positive relationship with law enforcement, and memorializing the beloved caring character of a custodian lost in the 2021 school year. Creating the “Bright Award” for the student demonstrating amazing character. In-school field trips-Knoxville Zoo, Eagle Foundation. Environmental Center day and overnight visits to the Great Smoky Mountains.

(15) Building capacity for involvement- Provide other reasonable support for Parent and Family Engagement activities per parent request. (Example: transportation, childcare) 

When parents contact the administration or a teacher and make their needs known, we provide assistance as we are able. To date, we have not been asked for transportation or childcare. 

(16) Accessibility-Local educational agencies and schools, to the extent practicable, shall provide full opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children, including providing information and school reports in a format and, the extent practicable, in a language parents understand. 

We provide equal access to all families to participate in our school programs. We have a translation service available for Spanish-speaking families. School documents are available in Spanish and will be made available in other languages as requested. School staff assists in completing documents and paperwork for registrations, IEPs, and other needs as requested.

Stakeholder Involvement in Parent and Family Engagement Policy 

This Parent and family engagement Policy has been developed/revised jointly with, and agreed on with, parents of children participating in the Title I program, as evidenced by meeting minutes, and will be in effect for the period of the school year. 

Compliance statement: 

All federally required components, as noted above, are included in the school's Parent and Family Engagement Policy. 

______________________________________ ___________________ (Signature of Principal) (Date)