Family Engagement Plan

The following is to ensure school-level parent and family engagement plans meet the requirements of Section 1116(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Assurances

The above named school agrees to the following assurances:

  • Involve parents of children served in Title I, Part A in decisions about how Title I Part A funds are spent;
  • Carry out the programs, activities, and procedures in accordance with the definitions in Section 8101 of ESEA;
  • Jointly develop/revise plan with parent and make available to the local community;
  • Involve parents and families in planning, reviewing, and improving schoolwide program plan;
  • Use the findings of parent and family engagement plan review to design strategies for more effective engagement, and to review, if necessary, the school’s parent and family engagement plan;
  • Provide each family with timely notice information regarding their right to request information on the professional qualifications of the student’s classroom teachers and paraprofessionals;
  • Notify each family, in a timely manner, when their child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks, by a teacher(s) who is out of field;
  • Provide each family with an individualized student report about the performance of their child(ren) on the State assessments [ESEA Section 1116]

 

Mission Statement

1. Does the mission statement include:

How the parent and family engagement plan is a shared responsibility?

 

How the parent and family engagement plan will assist in providing high quality instruction for all learners?

The mission of Ridgewood Park Elementary School is to lead our students to success with the support and engagement of families and the community. Ridgewood Park Elementary feels strongly that parent and family engagement is a driving force in a child's education and is a shared responsibility.

We are committed to working jointly with parents and family to develop a plan for activities and workshops that support high quality instruction needed for all learners to be successful. We will host multiple curriculum nights aligned to grade level standards to model instructional strategies for home and school.

 

Involvement of Parents

2. Does the plan include:

How the school will involve the parents and families in an organized, ongoing, and timely manner in the planning, review and improvement of Title I programs, including involvement in decision making of how funds for Title I will be used [ESEA Section 1116]?

 

Ridgewood Park Elementary will ensure the organized, ongoing and timely manner of involving parents through the following methods:

  • Home-to-school and school-to-home communication in English and/or other languages
  • Student planners
  • Flyers
  • Newsletters
  • Connect Orange messages
  • School Website
  • Email
  • And other known best practices as needed

At Ridgewood Park Elementary parents and families are involved in the planning, review and improvement of Title I programs, including involvement in the decision making of how funds for Title I will be used by:

Attending:

  • School Advisory Council (SAC) meetings
  • Multilingual Parent Leadership Council (MPLC) meetings
  • Title I Annual Meeting

Participating In:

  • Parent and family engagement capacity-building activities

Reviewing:

  • Academic data
  • Previous school year Parent and Family Engagement Plan

 

Coordination and Integration with Other Federal Programs

3. Does the plan include:

How the school will coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement programs and activities?

 

How the school will coordinate and integrate parent and family activities that teach parents how to help their child(ren) at home [ESEA Section 1116]?

 

 

Ridgewood Park Elementary will coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement programs and activities through a host of planned events throughout the school year. These activities will teach parents how to help their child(ren) at home through the implementation of various best known practices that are linked to learning. Below you will find the delineated program and coordination for each school-based program.

Program

Coordination

Varying Exceptionalities

ESE –IDEA

 

Pre-K

The school will work with the VE teachers and paraprofessionals to coordinate transitions for students into the regular classroom.

 

 

Meetings will be held to discuss student needs and develop new IEPs.

 

An opportunity for orientation to kindergarten and classroom visits will occur in spring and/or summer. Pre-K families will be invited to all Family Night events.

Title I

The Principal and Title I Contact will coordinate with the Title I office to provide opportunities for parent and family engagement at home, at school and in the community.

Title II

The school will continue to work on informing parents of Florida Standards. Teachers will learn about these standards through Title II funds.

Title III

Provides funding for our ELL students’ Imagine Learning to support their oral language development.

Title X

McKinney Vento Program provides support to our homeless students.

 

Annual Parent Meeting

4. Does the plan include:

A description of the specific steps the school will take to conduct the annual meeting to inform parents and families of participating children about the school’s

Title I program?

 

A description of the nature of the Title I Program that is shared with parents (schoolwide or targeted assistance)?

 

A description of how the meeting will cover adequate yearly progress (AYP), school choice, and the rights of parents are covered at the annual meeting?

 

 

Ridgewood Park Elementary will host an annual Title I meeting to inform parents and families of children participating in Title I program at the beginning of the school year. We will host a single meeting to educate parents via the following methods:

  • Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) via PowerPoint Presentation and handouts
  • School Choice via district handouts and policies
  • The rights of parents via brochure and other resources

Parents and families are informed of the nature of the Title I program by the following statement:

 

Title I schools receive services from the largest federal aid to education program in existence. Title I has been in existence since 1965 and continues to level the academic playing field for children victimized by poverty. Title I funds provide services and educational programs to help students achieve.Title I/Migrant Programs administer in excess of $500 million in federal funds to school districts and agencies in Florida for high quality supplemental instruction and support services for educationally disadvantaged children. Our mission is to provide leadership and technical assistance to local education agencies (LEAs) and local operating agencies (LOAs) to implement programs and services that ensure that all children have a fair, equal and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging state academic achievement standards and state academic assessments. We provide service to local school districts, agencies, private schools and local neglected and delinquent institutions for Title I, Migrant, and Homeless Programs.

 

For more information please visit the Florida Department of Education, Office of Title I Programs and Academic Intervention Services athttp://www.fldoe.org/bsa/title1/title_compile.aspand our district’s Title I websitehttps://www.ocps.net/departments/title_i.

 

Below are the specific steps that Ridgewood Park Elementary will take to conduct the Title I Annual Meeting.

 

Activity/ Task

Person Responsible

Timeline

Evidence of Effectiveness

Develop agenda, handouts, and/or presentation materials that address the required components

Title I/PEL Contact

September 2020

Copies of agendas, presentation and handout

Develop and distribute invitations

Title I/PEL Contact

September 2020

Flyer with date of distribution

Advertise/publicize event

Administrators

September 2020

Post on marquee, School Messenger message

Develop sign-in sheets

Title I/PEL Contact

September 2020

Sign-in sheets

Hold meeting

Title I/PEL Contact

September 2020

Title I documentation housed with Title I Coordinator

Maintain documentation

Title I/PEL Contact

September 2020

Title I documentation housed with Title I Coordinator

 

Flexible Parent Meetings

5. Does the plan include:

How will the school offer a flexible number of meetings, such as meeting in the morning or evening?

 

How will the school provide, with Title I funds, transportation, child care or home visits, as such services relate to parent and family engagement [ESEA Section 1116]?

The school will devise a master calendar consisting of the following meetings, which will be held in the morning or evening.

 

(Title I Annual Meeting, School Advisory Council, Parent Leadership Council, Parent Teacher Association, Open House, Report Card Conference Nights, Curriculum Night, Meet the Teacher, Muffins for Mom, Donuts for Dad, SAC/PTA Meetings, Parent Leadership Council, Multi-Cultural Night and Teach In).

 

The following meetings will take place during the morning: (Muffins for Mom and Donuts for Dad). The Report Card Conference Nights are held quarterly after school and in the evening to accommodate the needs of all families. Additional parent teacher conferences may be held before or after school and during the teacher planning period as needed throughout the year.

 

The School Advisory Council, Parent Teacher Association, Open House, Curriculum Nights, Meet the Teacher and Curriculum Night meetings will be held in the evenings.

 

The Parent Leadership Council Meetings will be held late in the evening to accommodate our Haitian-Creole and Spanish speaking parents' work hours.

 

The school will advertise evening or morning meetings. (Flyer, Agenda, Marquee, and Connect Orange).

 

Building Capacity

6. Does the plan include:

How the school will implement activities that will build the capacity for meaningful parent/family involvement?

 

How will the school implement activities that will build relationships with the community to improve student achievement?

 

How the school will provide material and training to assist parents/families to work with their child(ren)?

 

How the school will provide other reasonable support for parent/family engagement activities [ESEA Section 1116]?

 

Ridgewood Park Elementary takes pride in building the capacity of all key stakeholders who play a vital role in the academic success of our students. We provide both internal and external workshops and activities that strengthen these relationships throughout the school year. Our doors are open to the community through the implementation of activities during and after school that community members and organizations can volunteer to support through our Partners In Education (PIE) coordinators as well as our ADDitions coordinators.

Our Parent Engagement Liaison (PEL) will be a main point of contact for parents to receive resources, support, and information about activities that engage parents and family.

 

Below are the specific steps that Ridgewood Park Elementary will take to build capacity for meaningful parent and family engagement.

Activity/ Task

Person Responsible

Correlation to Student Achievement

Timeline

Evidence of Effectiveness

Meet The Teacher

Instructional Staff

Teachers will introduce classroom expectations, routines, and establish rapport.

August 2020

Connect Orange, Marquee

Report Card Conference Night

Classroom Teachers

Teachers will conduct individual conferences to discuss child’s test results, expectations, progress toward benchmarks, and individual needs.

October 2020

Conference/Parent Communication Logs

Curriculum Workshops

Instructional Staff

Teachers will discuss expected grade level skills in reading, writing, or math. Parents will be given strategies and resources to assist their students in developing these skills at home.

Winter/Spring

Sign-in sheets, handouts, flyers

Family Night Series (Reading, Math, Writing, Science, Arts)

Instructional Staff

Parents will interact with their students while learning a targeted skill.

One in September, October, November, January, March

 

Flyers, sign-in sheets, Make and Take activities

Connect Orange Messages

Principal, Assistant Principal

Increased parental awareness of school events and participation

Ongoing

Copies of message on file

 

Newsletter, website, daily planners, email communication

Principal, Assistant Principal

Parents and students will have access to information about school events/ activities

Ongoing

Website resources, survey feedback, copies of newsletter/emails

Regularly scheduled SAC/PTA/PLC meetings

Principal, Parent Representatives

Parents will actively participate in decision-making process for school

Ongoing

Meeting minutes

 

Staff Development

7. Does the plan include:

A description of the professional development activities the school will provide to educate the teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, principals, other school leaders and other staff:

- with the assistance of parents/families, in the value and utility of contributions of parents/families?

- in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents/families as equal partners?

- in implementing and coordinating parent/family programs, and in building ties between parents/families and the school [ESEA Section 1116]?

 

Ridgewood Park Elementary strives to build the capacity of all school staff. Throughout the year, various professional development activities are provided to educate the teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, administrators, other school leaders and other staff to build capacity in parent and family engagement.

 

Below are the specific activities and tasks that Ridgewood Park Elementary will implement to build capacity for meaningful parent and family engagement.

 

Activity/ Task

Person Responsible

Correlation to Student Achievement

Timeline

Evidence of Effectiveness

Title I Annual

Meeting

School Administration,

Title I Coordinator

Information given about the assistance programs provided to the school to help support students academically.

Sept 2020

Agenda,

PowerPoint, and

Sign-in Sheets

Parent and Family Engagement Professional Development

Module 1 - Building Strong Partnerships with Parents and Families

School Administration,

Title I Coordinator

Improved school staff resources to create a welcoming school environment, understand and value the importance of parent and family engagement, and maintain strong school to home partnerships

October 
2020

 

Sign-in sheets, Exit Slips

Parent and Family Engagement Professional Development

Module 2:

Building Ties

Between Home and

School

School Administration,

Title I Coordinator

Improved ability of staff to work with parents and families

January 
2021

Sign-in sheets, Exit Slips

Parent and Family Engagement Professional Development

Module 3:

Implementation and

Coordination of

Parent and Family Engagement

Programs

School Administration,

Title I Coordinator

Increased parent and family participation in school activities which support student achievement

March 
2021

Sign-in sheets, Exit Slips

Parent and Family Engagement Professional Development

Module 4:

Communicating

and Working with

Parents as Equal Partners

School Administration,

Title I Coordinator

Improved relationship, communication and collaboration between parents and school

 

May 2021

Sign-in sheets, Exit Slips

 

Other Activities

8. Does the plan include:

How other activities, such as the parent resource center, the school will conduct to encourage and support parents and families in more meaningful engagement in the education of their child(ren) [ESEA Section 1116]?

 

Ridgewood Park Elementary will use various school resources to assist parents and families with their needs. The following are some of the school resources available to parents and families:

  • The ESE and Guidance office have a resource center that includes information about but not limited to the following
    • Homeless Education
    • Retention,
    • Counseling Services
    • Exceptional Education Services
    • Behavioral Support Services
    • And other resources outside of the school
  • The Media Center offers computer access to allow students and parent’s access to district applications and other materials during extended hours weekly.
  • District Parent Academy and Virtual Academy events offered throughout the year.

Below are the specific activities and tasks that Ridgewood Park Elementary will use to encourage and support parents and families in more meaningful engagement in the education of their child(ren) .

Activity/ Task

Person Responsible

Timeline

Evidence of Effectiveness

Resource Center

Guidance Counselor, ESE Contact, Parent Engagement Liaison

Ongoing

Sign-in Sheets

Media Center

Media Specialist, Parent Engagement Liaison

Ongoing

Sign-in Sheets

Love Pantry

Guidance Counselor, Parent Engagement Liaison

Ongoing

Sign-in Sheets

Virtual Academy

Parent Engagement Liaison, Media Specialist

August 5, 2020

December 10, 2020

Febuary 24, 2021

Parent registration, Media Center Sign-in Sheets

Parent Academy

Parent Engagement Liaison

November 7, 2020
January 23, 2021
May 15, 2021

Pictures, Parent Registration, Flyers

 

 

Communication

9. Does the plan include:

How the school will provide timely information about the Title I programs?

 

How the school will describe and explain the curriculum at the school, the forms of assessment used to measure student progress and the achievement levels students are expected to obtain?

 

How, if requested by parents, the school provides opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their child(ren)/

 

How the school will submit parents/ families comments if the schoolwide plan is not satisfactory to them [ESEA Section 1116]?

Ridgewood Park Elementary will maintain timely communication about Title I programs through the following:

  • Hosting the Title I Annual Meeting
  • Conducting monthly New Parent Orientation for parents new to the school to cover Title I programs

Teachers and other staff members will support parents’ understanding of curriculum, forms and assessments used to measure progress and expected achievement through the following:

  • School Compact
  • Report Card Nights
  • Progress Book
  • Planners
  • Parent Conferences
  • Connect Orange Messages
  • And other school communication methods

Parents will be included in the formulation of suggestions and decision making through the following:

  • One-on-one meetings with teachers, administrators, and/or support personnel
  • Parent Surveys
  • Participation in SAC to review the School Improvement Plan (SIP), Parent and Family Engagement Plan (PFEP), and School Compact

If the school-wide plan is not satisfactory to parents, feedback will be presented at the SAC meeting for discussion, review, and needed updates.

 

Accessibility

10. Does the plan include:

A description of how the school will provide full opportunities for participation in parent/family engagement activities for all parents/families?

 

A description of how the school will share information related to school an parent/family programs, meetings, school reports, and other activities in an understandable, uniform format, and in languages that the parents/families can understand?

Ridgewood Park Elementary will establish a host of opportunities for parents and families to participate in school activities through ensuring multiple levels of access for parents and families. The following methods will be used:

  • Family Nights will be presented in multiple languages to services our ELL families.
  • Offer activities at multiple times throughout the day for parents and families to participate during the morning, evening and afternoon.

 

We will share information through various best known practices in multiple languages in order to reach the highest number of parents and families. The following outlines some of those methods:

  • Home-to-school and school-to-home communication in English and/or other languages
  • Student planners
  • Flyers
  • Newsletters
  • Connect Ed messages
  • School Website
  • Email
  • And other known best practices as needed

 

 

Discretionary Activities

11. Does the plan include:

Any activities that are not required, but will be paid for through Title I, Part A funding (for example: home visits, transportation for meetings, activities related to parent/family engagement, etc.)

 

Ridgewood Park Elementary will utilize Title I, Part A funding for additional activities to support student achievement. Although not required, these activities support student achievement.

 

Below are additional activities and tasks that Ridgewood Park Elementary will implement that are funded by Title I, Part A.

Activity/ Task

Person Responsible

Correlation to Student Achievement

Timeline

Evidence of Effectiveness

Provide training opportunities to parents to enhance the engagement of other parents.

Principal;

Instructional Staff

Increase the engagement of parents and their knowledge of student’s level of performance and needs in the classroom.

Ongoing

Sign-in Sheets,

Parent Program Survey

Maximizing parent engagement and participation in their children’s education by arranging school meetings at a variety of times, or conducting in-home conferences between teachers or other educators, who work directly with participating children, with parents who are unable to attend those conferences at school.

Principal; Assistant

Principal; CRT

Increase the engagement of parents and their knowledge of student’s level of performance and needs in the classroom.

Ongoing

Sign-in Sheets,

Parent Program Survey

 

Barriers

12. Does the plan include:

A description of the barriers that hindered participation by parents during the previous school year?

 

A description of the steps the school will take during the upcoming school year to overcome the barriers (with particular attention paid to parents/families who are disabled, have limited English proficiency, and parents/families of migratory children [ESEA Section 1116]?

 

Ridgewood Park Elementary, after reviewing the previous years’ Parent and Family Engagement Plan and accompanying feedback, acknowledges the existence of the following barriers to parent and family engagement:

  • Transportation
  • Language
  • Education
  • Economically disadvantaged

Below are the specific steps that Ridgewood Park Elementary will take to address barriers that existed in the previous year.

Barriers (Including the Specific Subgroup)

Steps the School will Take to Overcome

Transportation for Parents (FRL)

Look into transportation options for parents as needed. Change location of activity to a community center or alternate site.

Language Barrier (ELL)

Provide Spanish and sign language translation as needed.

Education Barrier (FRL, SWD, ELL)

Open House – preview of the grade level expectations for the year. Explain education terminology in a way that all are able to understand (i.e. Instead of just using the words fluency, fact family, etc.) we will accompany these terms with a definition and model strategies accordingly.

Economically Disadvantaged (FRL)

Provide

Provide food during some evening events, free lunch for all students, Food Pantry, clothing, Thanksgiving food baskets, Christmas gifts and food. PTA purchases a book for every child.