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?
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