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Parent and Family Engagement Policy

 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION
international school programs for parent involvementEPIC 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.
 
This policy describes the means for carrying out designated Title I, Part A parent and family engagement requirements pursuant to ESSA Section 1116(c).

Each school served under this part shall jointly develop with, and distribute to, parents and family members of participating children a written parent and family engagement policy, agreed on by such parents, that shall describe the means for carrying out the requirements of subsections (c) through (f). How are parents notified of the policy in an understandable and uniform format and, to the extent practicable, provided in a language the parents can understand? How is the policy made available to the local community? How and when is the policy updated periodically to meet the changing needs of parents and the school (ESSA Section 1116[b][1])?
 
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.
 
To involve parents in the Title I, Part A programs, the following practices have been established:
  • 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
 
The school convenes an annual meeting to inform parents about Title I, Part A requirements and about the right of parents to be involved in the Title I, Part A program (ESSA Section 1116[c][1]). Add details about the annual meetings in the box below:
 
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 school offers a flexible number of meetings for Title I, Part A parents, such as meetings in the morning or evening (ESSA Section 1116[c][2]). Add details about the meetings in the box below:
 
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.
 
The school 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 (ESSA Section 1116[c][3]). How does the school involve parents?
 
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.
 
The school provides parents of Title I, Part A students with timely information about Title I, Part A programs (ESSA Section 1116[c)(4][A]). How does the school provide the information?
 
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.
 
The school provides parents of Title I, Part A students with an explanation of the curriculum used at the school, the assessments used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet (ESSA Section 1116[c][4][B]). How does the school provide the information?
 
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.
 
If requested by parents of Title I, Part A students, the school provides opportunities for regular meetings that allow the parents to participate in decisions relating to the education of their children (ESSA Section 1116[c][4][C]). How does the school provide the opportunities?
 
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.
 
The school engages Title I, Part A parents in meaningful interactions with the school. The Compact supports a partnership among staff, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement. To help reach these goals, the school has established the following practices:
 
The school provides Title I, Part A parents with assistance in understanding the state’s academic content standards, assessments, and how to monitor and improve the achievement of their children (ESSA Section 1116[e][1]).
 
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.
 
The school provides Title I, Part A parents with materials and training to help them work with their children to improve their children’s achievement (ESSA Section 1116[e][2]).
 
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.
 
With the assistance of Title I, Part A parents, the school educates staff members in the value of parent contributions, and in how to work with parents as equal partners (ESSA Section 1116[e][3]).
 
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.
 
The school coordinates and integrates the Title I, Part A parental involvement program with other programs, and conducts other activities, such as parent resource centers, to encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children (ESSA Section 1116[e][4]).
 
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 a format and language that the parents understand (ESSA Section 1116[e][5]).
 
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 (ESSA Section 1116[e][14]).
 
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.
 
The school provides opportunities for the participation of all Title I, Part A parents, including parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory students. Information and school reports are provided in a format and language that parents understand (ESSA Section 1116[f]).
Please attach the School-Parent Compact to this document.
 
This policy was adopted by the Empowering Possibilities International Charter on September 13, 2022 and will be in effect for the period of the 2022-2023 School Year).
 
The school will distribute the policy to all parents of students participating in the Title I, Part A program on, or before: (October 15, 2022.)
September 13, 2022
 
California Department of Education
July 2018