2008-2009

Partnership
Parents are encouraged to become active and engaged participants in all areas of Shwab School. Families are encouraged to maintain open communication with the child’s teacher and school staff. The Agenda Book is provided to encourage regular communication between home and school. Parents should visit the school and the child’s classroom. Parents should ask questions and share concerns with teachers and staff. Staff cannot address issues if they are not informed. All questions or concerns will be handled in a timely manner.

Student Progress
Parents are notified of the school curriculum and student expectations at the beginning of each school year. Teachers send home regular reports on each student’s academic progress and behavior through Agenda Books and report cards. Graded work packets are to be sent home by all homeroom teachers every Tuesday for parent review/signature. The school provides adequate opportunities for parents to visit classrooms, meet with teachers and attend school functions. Assessment of student progress is measured in a variety of ways using oral, written and computer evaluations.

Communication
Agenda Books are provided to each student as a regular method of communication between home and school. The school also sends home newsletters throughout the year. Parents are encouraged to read and make note of important dates, events, schoolwide activities, meetings and overall school performance. The telephone call-out system is used on an as needed basis to communicate with those families who have phone service. A Suggestion Mailbox is provided near the front office for positive programming suggestions throughout the year.

Planning
School personnel (principals, teachers, family/school, etc.) meet and discuss the Title I expense and parent involvement activities during the annual meeting at the beginning of the school year. A survey to determine priorities for expenditures, areas of need and possible parent-training topics is sent home each spring to gather information for the upcoming year.

Parent Involvement
Parent involvement occurs in many different forms. Shwab parents will be expected to provide for the children’s basic needs, to support and participate in learning activities with children at home, and to communicate with school staff. Parents are strongly encouraged to volunteer at school by sharing their talents. Parents are also needed to serve on committees, offer suggestions, and participate in the decisions that relate to the education of their children.

Parent Meetings
Parent meetings are held periodically throughout the year. Some meetings are schoolwide, with items of interest to all Shwab families. Other meetings are grade level specific and address issues surrounding a particular grade. Families are strongly encouraged to attend parent meetings whenever possible.

Parent Involvement Policy and School Compact
This document as well as a Shwab School compact is sent home at the beginning of the school year. Both documents are discussed at our annual meeting and are available for discussion at parent/teacher conferences and necessary home visits. The Shwab School Compact must be signed by the student, parent and teacher and is kept on file for future reference.

Suggestions
As always parent suggestions are a necessary part of our overall school program. Please feel free to use the empty Agenda Book pages if you wish to offer suggestions. If you do not have ideas at this time, the Suggestion Mailbox is always available in the front foyer with suggestion forms available.