WELCOME TO OUR ANNUAL TITLE I PARENT MEETING

1. WELCOME TO OUR ANNUAL TITLE I PARENT MEETING August 8, 12, & 13, 2013 6:00 P.M. August 22, 2013 7:15 A.M. Shadowlawn Middle School Courtney Watkins Title I PLC Coach

2. What Does It Mean To Be A Title I School? Being a Title I school means that we receive federal funding (Title I money) to supplement the school’s existing programs. Title 1 funds are allocated based on the number of students receiving free/reduced lunch. Schools receive Title 1 funds if 40% or more students are eligible for free/reduced lunch. This money is used for: • Identifying students experiencing academic difficulties and providing timely assistance to help these students meet the content standards. • Purchasing supplemental staff/programs/materials/supplies • Conducting parental involvement meetings/trainings/activities • Recruiting/Hiring/Retaining Highly Qualified Teachers • Being a Title I school also means parental involvement and parental rights.

3. INFORMATION & RESOURCES There are many resources located on Shadowlawn’s webpage. Please take note of our school’s web address: http://www.scsk12.org/SCS/middle/Shadowlawn/ The Title 1 link offers parent resources & school information. The PTSA link keeps you up to date on activities. The calendar link lists dates and times of upcoming events. The faculty/staff link takes you to teacher webpages/e-mail.

4. TITLE I SCHOOL STATUS • For the 2010-2011 school year, Shadowlawn was named a Focus School. Schools that have missed one or more benchmarks for two years are considered Focus Schools. • For the 2011-2012 school year, Shadowlawn moved to the Tennessee Reward School list. This recognizes the top 5% of TN public schools for progress towards goals. • We have not yet received our status for the 2012-2013 school year.

5. REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: INTERIM DATES: SEPTEMBER 11 NOVEMBER 13 FEBRUARY 12 APRIL 23 REPORT CARD DATES: OCTOBER 16 JANUARY 8 MARCH 19 GRADES MAY BE CHECKED ONLINE AT ANY TIME ONCE THE PARENT PORTAL OPENS.

6. DISTRICT PROGRESS http://www.scsk12.org/uf/news/viewrelease.php?id=52

7. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Shadowlawn’s School Improvement Plan (SIP) is located on the school website via the Title 1 link. This is revised each school year based on the school’s needs. The 2013-14 SIP will be placed on the school website in late September/early October. We need parent and community volunteers to serve on our various SIP committees this year in order to offer all stakeholders an opportunity to contribute. Please contact Courtney Watkins at watkinscc@scsk12.org or 373-2654 ext. 265 for more information.

8. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICIES • Standard 1: Welcoming All Families: Families are active participants in the life of the school, and feel welcomed, valued, and connected to each other, to school staff, and to what students are learning and doing in class and school. • Standard 2: Communicating: Families and school staff engage in regular, meaningful communication about student learning. • Standard 3: Supporting Student Success Families and school staff continuously work together to support students’ learning and healthy development both at home and at school, and have regular opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and skills to do so effectively.

9. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICIES • Standard 4: Speaking Up for Every Child: Families are informed and enabled to be advocates for their own and other children, to ensure that students are treated fairly and have access to learning opportunities that will support their success. • Standard 5: Sharing Power: Families and school staff are equal partners with equal representation in decisions that affect students and families and together inform, influence, and create policies, practices, and programs. • Standard 6: Collaborating with Community: Families and school staff work together with community members to connect students, families, and staff to expanded learning opportunities, community services, and civic participation.

10. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICY • The purpose of this policy is to establish Shadowlawn’s expectations for parental involvement and to describe how we will implement a number of specific parental involvement activities. It is also incorporated into the district’s plan, which is submitted to the State Title I office. • The policies previously mentioned will support effective parental involvement and strengthen academic achievement.

11. Parental Involvement Plan Each school has a parental involvement plan. This plan addresses how the school will implement parental involvement requirements. The components include: • How parents can be involved in decision-making and activities. • How parental involvement funds are used. • How information and training will be provided to parents. • How the school will build capacity in parents and staff for strong parental involvement. You, as Title I Parents, have the right to be involved in the development of your school’s Parental Involvement Plan. One way to do this is by joining our Title 1 Committee. Contact Courtney Watkins at watkinscc@scsk12.org for more information.

12. All parents have the right to request the following: • A teacher’s professional qualifications, which includes: state qualifications, licensure, grade/s certification, waivers • A teacher’s baccalaureate and /or graduate degree, fields of endorsement, previous teaching experience • A paraprofessional’s qualifications • An assurance that their child’s name, address, and telephone listing not be released to military recruiters • To know the school improvement status of the school. • To be involved in the planning and implementation of the parent involvement program in their school • To access the school’s improvement and parent involvement plans

13. All parents will receive information on the following: • Their child’s level of achievement in each of the state academic assessments • Their option to request a transfer to another school within the district if their child is the victim of a violent crime at school • Their right to timely notification that their child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by, a teacher who is not highly qualified

14. Parental Involvement Activities http://www.scsk12.org/SCS/middle/Shadowlawn/Calendar.html • Open House – Sept. 10 • PTSA Meetings– 9/10, 11/12, 1/21, 3/25, 5/6 • Bullying Prevention/Band Performance –Oct. 1 @ 6: 30 pm & Nov 15 @ 8:00 am • Math Night/Choir Performance – Nov. 12 • Family Literacy/Reading Day – Jan. 17 @ 7:00 am • Social Studies / Black History drama night – Feb. 4 • Science Night / Trendsetters Performance– Mar. 25 • Pastries with Parents / TCAP Strategies – Apr 4 @ 7:00 am • Band & Choir Concerts / Art Show • Basketball Games

15. Parent Training There is a Parent Resource Room located on the 500 hall in the Title 1 area. Please check in with the office if you would like to access this room. The Title 1 link on the school’s website also offers parent resources. http://www.scsk12.org/SCS/middle/Shadowlawn/Title_1.html

16. School Compact • The compact is a commitment from the school, the parent, and the student to share in the responsibility for improved academic achievement. A copy has been placed on the Title 1 section of the school webpage. • You, as Title I Parents, have the right to be involved in the development of the School-Parent Compact. • After all signatures have been gathered, the compacts will be located in the Title 1 office as well as your child’s homeroom teacher’s classroom.

17. STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT SHADOWLAWN HAS A 3 TIER DISCIPLINE POLICY. TIER 1: STUDENT CONFERENCE TIER 2: STUDENT/PARENT CONFERENCE TIER 3: OFFICE REFERRAL Please refer to the parent/student handbook for more specific information regarding discipline procedures.

18. SCS STUDENT CONDUCT (Policy # 6022) The Shelby County Board of Education accepts the responsibility for establishing and maintaining proper standards of discipline and behavior in the public schools. In order to maintain good order and insure an environment conducive to learning, the Board considers behavior or conduct occurring on school property or at any school sponsored activity occurring off school property which interferes with the above to be offenses. The District establishes the Shelby County Schools Student Code of Conduct to provide a sample of unacceptable student behaviors and a related sample of disciplinary actions. The Code of Conduct and any revisions shall be approved and adopted by the SCS Board of Commissioners as the student discipline policy of the District. THE POLICY MAY BE VIEWED IN DETAIL AT: http://www.scsk12.org/uf/academic/files/2013/13.14%20studenthandbook%207.3.pdf

19. Parent Teacher Conferences • Parent-teacher conferences are an integral part of maintaining good communication between home and school. • There are two district-wide conference days (September 19 & February 13). However, if you need to have a conference with your child’s teacher, please call the school office or e-mail the teacher to set up an appointment.

20. Teacher Qualifications • You, as Title I Parents, have the right to request the qualifications of your child’s teachers. By law, the school must respond to such requests in a timely manner. • It is our intent to provide each student in Shelby County Schools with teachers and paraprofessionals who are highly qualified. As required by law, all newly hired teachers in our Title I schools have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and have demonstrated competency in the academic subjects they teach.

21. Questions

22. Thank You! Your support is appreciated! Contact Courtney Watkins at watkinscc@scsk12.org if you have any questions or would like more information.