Magnet Cove High School

Parental Involvement Plan

Research has proven beyond a doubt that there is a positive correlation between student success and parent involvement.  Involving parents in the school learning community has the potential to provide greater impact on student success than any other educational program or reform.

It is the intention of this plan to promote meaningful family participation in regard to student learning with the expected result of increased student achievement.

COMMUNICATING

Magnet Cove High School recognizes that communication between home and school should be regular, two-way, and meaningful.

Magnet Cove High School will conduct two (2) parent/teacher conference meetings during the school year to engage parents in meaningful dialogue about the progress of their children.  Parents will be provided information through email, phone calls, newsletters and the school website.

PARENTING

Magnet Cove High School promotes and supports parenting skills and programs.

Magnet Cove High School will provide a parenting center open to families throughout the school day.  The parenting center will house resources regarding responsible as well as other materials that will be beneficial, such as community services.  This material will be available for parents to borrow for review.  The center will also serve as a gathering place for parents to collaborate and discuss critical issues concerning schools and/or family.

A family information kit is provided to parents and distributed during Open House and Parent/Teacher Conferences.  This kit includes:

• Information about the high school Parent Resource Center
• Volunteer survey
• Calendar of activities planned through the year
• Handbook
• Web page address
• Available programs

STUDENT LEARNING

Student learning increases when parents are invited into the process by helping at home.  Magnet Cove High School acknowledges the fact that parents play an integral role in assisting student learning.

In order to assist parents in student learning, Magnet Cove High School will host regular “Parents make the Difference” meetings.  These meetings are to inform parents about what students will be learning, how they will be assessed and how parents can assist their children in meeting educational objectives.  In addition, Magnet Cove High School, in conjunction with Educational Talent Search, will provide brief parent workshops on topics of special interest such as college and career planning.

VOLUNTEERING

Parents are welcome in Magnet Cove High School and their support and assistance are sought.

For the purpose of developing a volunteer program, Magnet Cove High School will:

1. Survey teachers for volunteer needs in the school yearly.
2. Survey parents regarding volunteer interest.
3. As much as possible match needs and interests.
4. Give clear description of the assignments including responsibilities.

ADVOCACY

Magnet Cove High School recognizes that a parent is a full partner in the decisions that affect his or her child and family.

Information on policies concerning parent visitation, student pick-up procedures, and classroom visitation are provided to parents through the Student Handbook.

Magnet Cove High School invites parents to seminars to discuss how best to help their child in course selection and career planning; i.e., rising 7^th graders and rising 9^th graders, Career/Academic Planning conferences.

COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNITY

Magnet Cove High School recognizes that Community resources are used to strengthen schools, families, and student learning.

Committees consisting of parents, alumni, community members, teachers, and administrators provide input regarding school improvement.

To implement and further develop this plan, Magnet Cove High School has designated a certified staff member to serve as Parent Facilitator.  This facilitator will also organize meaningful training for staff and parents promoting a welcoming atmosphere to parental involvement.

Magnet Cove High School Parent Involvement Implementation Plan

The Magnet Cove High School Parent Involvement Committee believes that parents are an integral part of the student’s educational development.  Our desire is to facilitate the process by which teachers and parents can best work together to achieve common goals.  We are committed to working with parents as knowledgeable partners, sharing the responsibility for the student’s educational achievement.  The following is a comprehensive and informative list of activities and opportunities for high school parents to become involved in their student’s educational process throughout the course of the school year.

Mailouts/Handouts:

• Student Handbooks containing school/class rules and regulations, dress codes, cafeteria info, discipline policy, and driving policy.
• Student Insurance Information Packet
• Student application for Free and Reduced Lunches
• Invitations to Open House
• Calendar of events for the year
• Progress reports at 4 ½ weeks into the marking periods
• Report Cards
• 504 Conference annual review schedule
• Invitation to Parent/Teacher Conference Days/Evenings
• Information on Junior Class ring ordering
• Information on graduation items (caps, gown, etc.)
• Information on yearbook sales
• Attendance reports
• Information on Senior Day, graduation practice and graduation
• Invitation to awards assembly
• Information on Band Banquet
• Information on Sports Banquet
• Information on current number of credits and type of credits needed for graduation
• Information on Academic Booster Club

Contact with parents:

• Internet grade viewer available on the web 24/7 (Edline)
• Report Card Mailouts (4)
• Progress Report Mailouts (4)
• Marquee by highway with important bulletins and weekly events
• School website has banners running with important weekly announcements
• Library databases are available with magazines and reference materials 24/7 with home login codes; ask for the code list in the library

Parent Meetings:

• Rising 9^th Grade orientation meeting
• Rising 7^th Grade orientation meeting
• Financial Aid Workshops
• Open House (Fall)
• Parental Involvement Committee Meetings (Fall and Spring)
• Career Action Planning Conference (CAPS) with parents, advisor and student in spring
• Sate of the School Report

Available from Counseling Center:

• A program given by the high school counselor each year detaining sources of financial aid for post high school education.  One feature of the program involves reviewing the federal application (FAFSA) for student aid, which is the baseline document for Pell Grants, federally subsidized loans, and college work-study programs, as well as state-based grants and loans and school-based programs.
• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) forms available beginning in January of each year
• Master list of federal financial aid code numbers for colleges and schools
• Telephone numbers of financial aid directors of Arkansas colleges and some out-of-state colleges
• List of educational web sites concerned with financial aid, scholarships, and other topics
• Brochures from local banks on available student loans
• List of courses included in the Arkansas college preparation core of courses
• Directory of colleges including courses required for admission

Available in the Library:

• Access codes for home use of databases
• A Parenting bookshelf is available for parents to peruse, library is open for checkout 7:30am to 3:30pm weekdays

www.magnetcove.k12.ar.us

• Weekly newsletter
• Calendar
• Access to library databases for school and home access

Melissa Hudson, Library Media Specialist

melissa.hudson@magnetcove.k12.ar.us

501-332-5466