Victory Charter School

1. Victory Charter School Title IA Parent Information-Sharing Meeting September 6, 2019

2. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Parents & Guardians – Please remember to sign in when visiting your students’ classrooms tonight. Thank you

3. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Victory Charter School – • Mission: To develop students who are competent, confident, productive and responsible young adults who possess the habits, skills and attitudes to succeed in high school and to be offered the invitation of a post-secondary education, satisfying employment, and life-long opportunities. • Vision:Victory students will develop a strong academic foundation, strength of character, and the work ethic and attitudes to achieve success in their chosen careers and in all aspects of their lives. • Philosophy:When low threat is coupled with highly challenging content, accelerated learning takes place.

4. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 • Victory is a Title IA School • Title IA is a federal program that provides an additional source of funding to assist schools in their educational program. • Victory operates as a Schoolwide Title IA program • Meaning the school serves all students when using Title IA funds. • The school will receive nearly $51,000 in Title IA funds this school year.

5. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing September 6, 2019 “Victory Charter School’s schoolwide program is a model program for imbedded integration and differentiation for all students. The instructional model allows teachers to assess the students’ academic needs on a continual basis and provide appropriate interventions.” Victory’s Title IA plan is approved by the Idaho State Dept. of Education and is formally reviewed every five-to-six years. Victory has passed every review since its opening. During the most recent review in ’16-’17, the site team’s report shared:

6. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 How is Title IA funding used at Victory? • Teachers in 1st-8th grade determine, through regular student assessments, where students would benefit most with additional instruction from them and their classroom educational assistants. • Teachers determine, plan and direct all Title IA activities for their grade. • Title IA funds are primarily used to help strengthen students’ proficiency in reading & language arts and math, to ensure all students are excelling not only at grade level, but above grade level. • Funding is also used to provide parent handouts/information regarding the Title IA program and, at times, for additional educational materials & equipment.

7. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 What does Title IA look like in a Victory classroom? • Because Title IA works nearly seamlessly within the Harbor Method, it’s sometimes difficult to recognize when this extra assistance in taking place. • Most often, it consists of a few extra minutes per day of added one-one-one and/or small group instruction in addition to regular, core instruction. • Students are never removed from core instruction to receive Title IA assistance. • Title IA activities occur under the supervision of certified teachers.

8. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 What notifications are parents/guardians provided throughout the school year? • The annual, Title IA Parent Info-Sharing meeting held during the school’s Open House. • Teacher Professional Qualifications & how to request reviewing them • School’s Annual Report outcomes from the SDE found at www.idahoschools.org • School’s Annual Report outcomes from its authorizer, the Idaho Public Charter School Commission (on the school website, www.victorycharterschool.net) • Youth-in-Transition/Homeless Services (shared at this meeting, Attendance Note, school website) • Parent Employment Survey/Migrant Education Program (enrollment packet) • Continuous Improvement Plan (on school website) • The Wellness Policy & Annual Report (on school website) • Parent-School Compact (on school website & in annual enrollment packet) • Parent-Teacher conferences 2xs per year • Weekly Attendance Note • College & Career Advising (on school website)

9. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Parent Involvement… • Parents & guardians are invited to be involved in the Title IA program, in the parent & family engagement policy, and activities that take place under Title IA and other Victory programs. • This meeting and Fall Attendance Note notices invite you to review these school policies & procedures and to provide input if you’re interested in doing so: • Parent & Family Engagement Policy • Wellness Policy • The School’s Continuous Improvement Plan • Teacher & Administrator Evaluation Forms • College & Career Plan • Any parent/guardian comments received will be presented at the governing board meeting where the policy or procedure is on the board agenda. • Copies of these handouts are available tonight at the front office desk. They can also be found on the school’s website - www.victorycharterschool.net.

10. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Other, important Parent involvement activities: -- Volunteering in classrooms, on field trips, during after-school activities -- Taking part in the annual parent survey -- Attending parent-teacher conferences twice yearly -- Taking advantage of the Parent Involvement tab on the school’s website to help facilitate further learning at home -- Serving on school committees & fundraising efforts as needed -- Serving on an appointed governing board position --Providing parent feedback on school policies, charter amendments, strategic plans, etc.

11. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Youth-in-Transition/Homeless Education As part of Victory receiving Title IA funding, we also adhere to Title IX-A: Homeless Education requirements. .

12. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Being Homeless or in Transition – • For most people, the word “homeless” conjures up stereotypical images of adults, not children or youth in classrooms. • Initially, students experiencing homelessness may likely not be recognized as such as they may be staying temporarily with another family, with relatives, or living in motels or campgrounds, etc.

13. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 McKinney-Vento Act – • Ensures all children & youth who are homeless (in transition) receive a free, appropriate public education and are given meaningful opportunities to succeed in our schools. • Our school ensures that children and youth who are homeless/in transition are free from discrimination, segregation, and harassment.

14. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Homeless/Youth-in-Transition Definition – Children and youth in transition mean children and youth who are otherwise legally entitled to or eligible for a free public education, including preschool, and who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

15. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Children and youth who are homeless/in transition are most often in one of these situations – • Sharing housing w/others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason • Living in motels, hotels, campgrounds, or trailer parks due to a lack of alternative adequate accommodations • Living in emergency or transitional shelters • Abandoned in hospitals • Awaiting placement in foster care • In a primary nighttime residence that is a private or public place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings • Living in a car, park, public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or similar setting • Migratory and living in a situation described above.

16. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 How long does a school consider a child homeless once he/she has been deemed as such? • A child or youth will be considered homeless/in transition for as long as he or she is in one of the living situations described. These determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. • The homeless/transitional status is reviewed with the parents & student annually, if necessary.

17. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Who are Unaccompanied Youth? Unaccompanied youth are those not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, and who meet the definition of homeless.

18. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 What Services are provided to children & youth who are homeless/in transition? Children & Youth in these situations will be provided services comparable to services offered to other students, including: • Transportation - coordinated w/school’s homeless liaison • Title I, Part A services - Children and youth in transition are automatically eligible for Title IA services • Educational services for which the student meets eligibility criteria, including special education and related services and programs • Before- and after-school programs when offered • Free meals at school - On the day a child/youth who is homeless or in transition enrolls in school. or is determined homeless/in transition while already attending the school, the homeless liaison will notify the food service manager. No paperwork is required on the part of the student or parent/guardian.

19. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Additional Information & Resources: -- Victory Homeless Liaison is Mrs. O’Donahue If you are experiencing a homeless/in- transition situation, Mrs. O’Donahue and/or Dr. Saunders or Mrs. Luce can meet with you to discuss and determine eligibility, and to share resources to help both at school and in the community. Also, if at any time during the school year your contact information changes, including nighttime residence address, please let the school office know so our records stay up-to-date.

20. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Additional Information & Resources, continued: Brochure: When Help is Needed Beyond the Classroom Assistance for Victory families experiencing homelessness Copies available tonight , on school website, or during the school year at the front office.

21. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Additional Information & Resources, continued: We invite parents to visit the school’s website www.victorycharterschool.net to review and provide comment, if they’d like, on the Parent & Family Engagement Policy. If you do not have access to the website, parents may request hard copies by stopping by the office, calling the school at 208-442-9400, or emailing office@victorycharterschool.net. Comments can returned by email, or dropped off at the school’s front office.

22. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Additional Information & Resources, continued: Family Contact Information: If at any time during the school year your contact information changes, including nighttime residence address, please let the school office know so records stay up-to-date. School information provided in another language: If a parent or guardian in the home needs school information translated into another language, please contact the school office at 208-442-9400.

23. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Title IX Non-Discrimination Statement: Victory Charter School is a tuition free, Idaho public charter school that has been operating since 2004. Victory is a Harbor Method School offering a complete K-12 education, with an emphasis on science and math with the integration of music. The school welcomes students without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, language barrier, religious beliefs, physical or mental handicap or disability, economic or social conditions, or actual or potential marital or parental status, or status as a homeless child.  The school does not discriminate in any of its educational programs or activities, admissions procedures, or employment practices on the basis of sex and it is required by Title IX not to discriminate in such a manner. Questions regarding Title IX may referred to the school’s Title IX coordinator, Mrs. O’Donahue, or to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Victory is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

24. Victory Title IA Parent Information Sharing – Sept. 6, 2019 Victory Charter School 9779 Kris Jensen Lane Nampa, Idaho 83686 208-442-9400 www.victorycharterschool.net