Columbia School District
Parent-Community Involvement Action Plan

The Columbia School District has always valued and encouraged assistance in the important endeavor of educating this community’s youth. This vital process can only be properly accomplished with the cooperation of home – school – community. It is the goal of all stakeholders that students achieve their greatest potential and this can only be reached through collaboration and commitment. There are many levels of involvement in the educational process. In the Columbia School District, we work hard at finding ways for everyone to play a role…some roles are more significant, but all roles make a difference.

Utilizing all of its resources to implement the Parent-Community Involvement Action Plan, the Columbia School District – parents, teachers, students, administrators and community members will strive to develop and promote activities that enrich meaningful involvement. The cultivation of involvement will be based on the identified needs of students, parents, families and this community. It is common knowledge that when parents and community stakeholders support education the following student results are evident:

Without a doubt, it is obvious that when parental and community involvement is active, responsive and committed to assisting the educational process, better opportunities and outcomes are the positive consequences…for students’ sakes.

The Columbia School District fully supports the National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs, based on Dr. Joyce Epstein’s framework:
Standard #1:	Communicating – Communication between home and school is regular, two-way, and meaningful.
Standard #2:	Parenting – Parenting skills are promoted and supported.
Standard #3:	Student Learning – Parents play an integral role in assisting student learning.
Standard #4:	Volunteering – Parents are welcome in the school, and their support and assistance are sought.
Standard #5:	School Decision Making and Advocacy – Parents are full partners in the decisions that affect children and families.
Standard #6:	Collaborating with Community – Community resources are used to strengthen schools, families, and student learning.

Each of the above Standards for Excellence is prominently evident in our schools. As a district, each of the buildings is blest with active, meaningful and empowering parental/community support. Our effectiveness is compounded by the good will and good actions of so many wonderful helpers. Our challenge is always to channel the energy and good intentions in the most productive ways for students’ sake.

In an effort to expand on the tremendous resources and practices already evident in the Columbia School District, the Parent-Community Involvement Action Plan will:

Notification of Parent-Community Involvement Action Plan
	Distribute the Columbia School District Parent-Community Involvement Action Plan to students and parents in the Student-Parent Handbook(s), which are annually distributed at the beginning of the school year. Prior to the reprinting, each building will seek input for needed revisions.
	Communicate information about the Columbia School District Parent-Community Involvement Action Plan through the Torchbearer, the Exponent, building newsletters, on the district Web site, and the Annual School Report(s).
Development of Title I Planning Process In conjunction with current Board Policies and district practices, the Columbia School District will continue:
	Distribute surveys to parents to gain feedback on the Title I program.
	Conduct Informational Meetings at the beginning of each school year in each of the Title I school buildings – Brooklyn Elementary, Miller Elementary and Columbia Middle School.
	Seek parental involvement on the district’s Title I Advisory Committee.
	Sponsor an end-of-the-year meeting to gather information on the overall Title I program, evaluation and recommended revisions.
Annual Evaluation of Parent-Community Involvement
	Each year, as a district, we have made every attempt to collect the names and roles of individuals, community groups and businesses that have served as educational partners. It is important to give recognition of those who have made any contribution to the educational process. Through Volunteer Recognition Programs we have honored those who have chosen to be involved.
	In addition, we will be adding to this practice a bit more reflection – giving people the chance to make suggestions for how we can include others and improve our outreach. This will be completed through a survey format and small group discussions. This information will be forwarded to the Administrative Offices (district-wide committees), which will use this data to evaluate, revise and implement strategies that will encourage parent-community involvement to a greater degree.
Development of Parent-Community Involvement During the course of the 2004-2005 school year, the Columbia School District will develop some helpful guidelines for “quality” Parent-Community Involvement that would include the following:
	Helping parents with strategies on supporting school work/homework.
	Providing resources that encourage parents to gain insight and knowledge into their vital role.
	Providing resources through the development of a Parental Involvement link on the district’s web site.
	Cultivating opportunities for people to contribute specialized skills – Career Days, mentoring, school-to-work experiences, etc.
	Volunteerism (PTO, student-led conferences, field trips, classroom helpers, booster groups, arts, etc.)
	Participation on district-wide and school building committees, attending special topic meetings, Board of Education meetings, etc.
	District Web site offerings for parents.
Development of Parent-Community Capacity During the 2004-2005 school year, the Columbia School District will work to broad the support system for parent. This will be completed through:
	Hosting a Parent University workshop in February, utilizing a variety of speakers on topics of special significance to parents.
	Provide parents with materials and training to help them work with their child to improve their child’s academic achievements (i.e., Family Nights, newsletter “tips”, etc.)
	Help educate parents on the state’s achievement standards; No Child Left Behind requirements; state and local assessments; the requirements of Title I, part A; monitoring their child’s progress; and working with educators.
	Encourage administrators and staff members to reach out, communicate, and work with parents as equal partners.
	Coordinate parental involvement activities with other community resources and programs.
	Communicate information about school and parent programs in an understandable format.
Continuous Improvement Philosophy In keeping with the Columbia School District’s on-going commitment to continuous improvement, this facet of the district’s endeavors will benefit from:
	Careful monitoring of activities
	Reflection on activities – what can we do to improve? What is working? What needs adjustments?
	Evaluation
	Recommendations for the future

Formalization of what has been occurring for many years in the Columbia School District is important and will only heighten our efforts. This Parent-Community Involvement Action Plan will help us to continue to make a difference in the lives of students, their families and this community.

(Reference Point: A special thanks to the Northwest Community Schools for sharing their Parental Involvement Plan.
We have learned many helpful ideas and adapted many of their points to support our efforts.)

Copyright © 2008, Columbia School District - Last Modified: September 04, 2008