EPIC believes in the importance of frequent communication between the home and the school in building a successful learning environment for all students. It is our desire to provide multiple opportunities for parents, students and school staff to establish strong, meaningful and lasting connections. This Policy is sent home with families annually, copies are posted and available in the school main office, and the Policy is posted on the EPIC web site in both English and Russian. The Policy is reviewed annually by the EPIC School Site Council/ELAC/DELAC and is updated to meet the changing needs of parents and the school.

• Hold Annual Meetings at well-attended EPIC events to inform parents about Title I programs
• Involve elected parents through the SSC in the joint development and joint agreement of this policy
• Prepare translated documents into languages that parents understand
• Involve parents through an annual parent needs assessment conducted in collaboration with SSC and the ELAC/DELAC

EPIC informs parents about Title I, Part A requirements and about the right of parents to be involved in the Title I, Part A program annually at Back to School Night or another highly attended parent event at the beginning of each school year.

The meetings that EPIC holds regarding Title I, Part A occur at late afternoon/evening events such as Back to School Night/Open House and School Site Council and at morning events such as the principal’s monthly Coffee with Administration.

EPIC involves parents of Title I, Part A students in an organized, ongoing, and timely way, in the planning, review, and improvement of the school’s Title I, Part A programs and the Title I, Part A parent involvement policy through elected parent representation at EPIC School Site Council Meetings. Furthermore, documents are translated into languages that parents understand. Finally, parents are involved through an annual parent needs assessment survey conducted in collaboration with SSC and the ELAC/DELAC.

EPIC provides parents of Title I, Part A students with timely information about Title I, Part A programs as appropriate through the Title I meetings at Back to School Night, Open House and the monthly Coffee with Admin sessions that are held. Also, EPIC provides parents information through various EPIC parent nights and events.

EPIC provides students with an explanation of the curriculum used in the school through school newsletters, IB Parent Nights/Information Sessions, parent/teacher conferences etc. Assessments used to measure student progress and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet are discussed with parents at parent/teacher conferences as well as explained through school newsletters and other communications from the school about CAASPP, ELPAC and other state-mandated assessments.

EPIC provides regular opportunities for parents to participate in decisions relating to the education of their children through School Site Council representation, various parent nights and information sessions, as well as through the regularly scheduled Coffee with Administration.

Assistance for parents in understanding the state’s academic content standards, assessments and how to monitor and improve the achievement of their children is provided through information on the EPIC school web page, through scheduled parent/teacher conferences, through the EPIC parent nights and information sessions, as well as through formal communications regarding state-mandated assessments and score reporting.

EPIC provides Title I, Part A parents with materials and training to help them work with their children to improve their children’s achievement through regularly scheduled parent/teacher conferences, and annual parent information/education nights on topics such as mathematics and English/Language arts.

EPIC educates staff members in the value of parent contributions and in how to work with parents as equal partners through school newsletters, emails, and the sharing of resources regarding parent engagement at staff meetings.

EPIC coordinates and integrates the parental involvement program with other programs, and conducts other activities, such as EPIC parent education/information sessions, IB events, and math/literacy related events to encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children.

The school distributes information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities to Title I, Part A parents in English and Russian.

The school provides support for parental involvement activities requested by Title I, Part A parents through the School Site Council/ELAC/DELAC and annual online parent survey.