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| Parent Involved! |
Spring GaDOE Newsletter
March, 2013
All Rights Reserved
During my conversations and meetings there is one question that is often raised: how do we make education more meaningful for our students? Recently, Education Week released the findings of their 17th annual Quality Counts survey, which grades all states on key education indicators. I am pleased to share that Georgia ranked 7th in the nation for the second straightyear and received a perfect score for the indicator on Transition and Alignment, which includes Early Childhood Education and College Readiness. While it is important to grow in our successes, there is no doubt that Georgia is committed to providing meaningful and quality education from early childhood through college and career preparation.
It is an absolute thrill to see schools all over the state implement wonderful and innovative strategies and practices that engage parents and students in the learning process. As we open a new chapter with the College and Career Ready Performance Index, I am confident that we will see more evidence of how schools and teachers continue to build up our students to reach new heights.
Last of all, I invite all parents to join us in making education more meaningful for our students by being involved and taking an active role in your child’s education. This is a very critical time of year as we steer our students successfully across the finish line of another school year. I look forward to sharing more good news with you about the hard work and accomplishments of all students in Georgia!
Sincerely,
Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent
Making Education Meaningful
Best GET INVOLVED Parent Moments...
"Successfully Engaging Georgia’s Parents"
I stayed at Pre-K with my twins and watched them complete their lesson with their teacher. At playtime, it seemed like all the children wanted to serve me lunch, so they played waiter and waitress and brought me plate after plate with drinks. Now the twins want me to come back every day!
- Lisa Epps, McIntosh Elementary School
The new technology amazes me. I am able to stay in touch with my two daughters, as well as with their teachers almost every day. I have a great partnership with Rossville Middle School. The staff and teachers make me feel at home.
- Laura McNabb, Rossville Middle School
I was able to attend every activity that involved the parents at Russell Elementary, one each month. It was fun to be there often enough to get to know the students and how our son was interacting with his new friends. I was able to go in and help with some presentations to several grades. I love being able to be at school often enough to know who each friend is when our son references them in stories about his day.
- Anonymous Parent, Russell Elementary School
My husband and I attended a literary breakfast at my daughter’s school. We all ate breakfast together and had a good conversation, just like we do at home. It really got us connected and involved when we all shared together one of the most important meals of the day at school.
- Lorena Lean, Riverside Primary School
Parent Leadership Month is February, 2013!
This month provides expanded opportunities for parents to share their leadership skills by participating in meaningful parent leadership activities at the local, state and national levels.
We encourage you to talk with your child’s teacher and school principal to learn about ways to get involved in school leadership opportunities. Make your talents, skills, and availability to assist known as a way to benefit all children.
STAY TUNED...
Have you heard? Planning for the 2014 Family Engagement Conference is underway! Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to learn new ideas and hear what is happening across the state to support family engagement in our schools. Look for more details soon about registration and dates for the 2014 Family Engagement Conference.
Parents, we want to hear from you! Do you have a favorite parent involvement moment to share from this school year? Send in your moment and make sure to include details of the event including what happened, who was involved and why it was your best GET INVOLVED MOMENT!
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and the Georgia Parent Teacher Association (GA PTA) created the Parent Leadership Award to recognize parents across the state who utilize their skills and talents to strengthen our schools and positively impact the lives of our children. The award also hopes to inspire all parents to use their unique talents, no matter how big or small, to lead the way in building positive outcomes for all children.
The award recognizes the many skills and talents of Georgia’s parents, particularly as they exhibit their leadership through any or all of the National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships.
Winners of the Parent Leadership Award are parents or caregivers who have contributed to the school community in a way that is bigger and beyond themselves. Parent leaders are nominated every November during Georgia’s Parent Engagement Month by Georgia’s public school personnel.
Congratulations to the following nominees on receiving the 2013 Parent Leadership Award:
The 2013 Parent Leadership Awards
Michelle Sandrock,
Parent Engagement Program Manager
msandrock@doe.k12.ga.us
404-232-1148
Lakeita Servance,
Parent Engagement Specialist
lservance@doe.k12.ga.us
404-656-2633
Nathan Schult,
Parent Engagement Specialist
nschult@doe.k12.ga.us
404-463-1956
Outreach Programs Division
1862 Twin Towers East
205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, SE
Atlanta, GA 30334
Program Staff
Remember to block off these important dates!
Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day
March 2, 2013
Public School Volunteer Week
April 14—20, 2013
National TV Turnoff Week
April 28—May 4, 2013
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
May, 2013
National Teacher’s Day
May 7, 2013
National Physical Education & Sport Week
May 6—12, 2013
Vision Statement
The Parent Engagement Program believes that parents, schools, families, and communities working together can create meaningful partnerships that ultimately lead to significant gains across the board in student achievement.
Calling All Parents!
Have an idea to contribute to the newsletter? Send your parent
involvement ideas and articles to us through your
Parent Involvement Coordinator
or
e-mail us directly. If your idea or article is published, your name will appear in the newsletter!
Have a Question?
AskDOE
404-656-2800
askdoe@doe.k12.ga.us
We’re on the Web!
http://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/AskDOE/Pages/Parents.aspx
http://www.gadoe.org/School-Improvement/Federal-Programs/Pages/Parent-Engagement-Program.aspx
Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent
Volume 3, Issue 3, Spring 2013
Use this link http://tinyurl.com/a8t7smj to read more about how these amazing individuals made a difference in their schools!
Many Talents.
One Purpose.
Student Success.
Support for Families in the Wake of the Newtown Tragedy:
What do we do as parents? How do we help our children process and move forward? Should this be affecting my child here in Blackshear?
These are all very legitimate questions for us as parents and care-givers. Autism Speaks is an organization who is tackling these and other hard questions and issues that have come to the fore-front since the tragic event last month.
Click below to read more:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/news/news-item/support-families-wake-newtown-tragedy
Family Involvement
Pierce County Family Involvement Newsletter
November 27, 2012
Volume 6, Issue 2
|
2012-2013 School wide Title I District
Pierce County Family Resource Center, Blackshear Elementary School
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Family Involvement Website, http://piercecounty.schoolinsites.com/
Christa Larson, Family Involvement Coordinator, 807.0048, clarson@pierce.k12.ga.us
PARENTS GET INVOLVED!
Christina Hardy found a way to get plugged in at her son’s school, BES. She researched and became passionate about the Box Tops for Education program. She started collecting and then took it to the next level--she made collection containers for all the classrooms at BES. With the help of Student Council, she decorated the most adorable Box Tops Cans and delivered them to the teachers. What an inspiration….with great dividends!!
BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!!
After having several parents donate gently used books, we have decided to begin a monthly book drive. Anita Herrin recently donated a box of books that her children had outgrown. We plan to distribute these at our next 2nd Harvest Food Distribution and help families build their personal libraries at home. Thank you to our parents who care! This is yet another example of parents finding a way to plug in and make a difference in the lives of ourPierceCounty students and families.
Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) Meetings:
Our PIC meetings are in full swing. Be on the look-out at your school for reminders. All parents are welcome to attend and have a voice at your school.
Upcoming PIC Dates:
PCMS, February 5, 2013, 3:15 p.m.
PES, February 7, 2013, 3:00 p.m.
PCHS, February 5, 2013, 8:30 a.m.
BES, February 4, 2013, 2:45 p.m.
MES, February 6, 2013, 3:00 p.m.
Pierce County Parent University:
Our Parent University is progressing right along. So far we have done workshops on Understanding High School Requirements, Middle School Career Planning & CCRPI, and then BES Homework Help with Math Strategies. Coming up on December 5, we will be presenting Homework Help with Reading Strategies at PES. Join us for a great time of learning together!
School Compacts: You will notice another copy of your school’s Parent/Teacher/Student Compact is being sent home to be signed. The requested revisions are highlighted. Thank you for taking the time to sign/date and return these. The compacts help us to understand our roles in the process of educating our students. Your engagement makes a HUGE difference!
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Dec. 1…………………Waycross Christmas Parade
Dec. 3…………………Pierce County Christmas Parade
Dec. 12………………..America’s 2nd Harvest @Lee St. Resource Center
Dec. 19………………..Pierce County Schools early release
Dec. 20-Jan. 4…………Pierce County Schools closed
Jan. 7………………….Students return to school
Pierce County Schools
Motto: Excellence is Standard
Mission Statement: PierceCountySchool System promotes excellence as the standard.
Vision Statement: Our vision is forPierceCounty graduates to become creative problem solvers excelling in a competitive global environment.
Pierce County Beliefs:
We believe that all students can learn; therefore:
Trusting, caring relationships with all stakeholders are directly linked to success.
Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs.
A variety of instructional approaches will be provided to support their different learning styles.
Students achieve best when they are actively engaged in their educational process and share accountability for their learning.
Prompt and regular attendance by students and staff is essential.
Student and staff wellness contributes to effective teaching and learning.
Continuous and balanced assessment drives instruction and enhances student learning.
Collaborative learning communities are critical for optimum student achievement.
It is important to provide a safe, secure, and quality environment.
Technology integration is essential to enhance instructional and operational processes.
Decisions, both instructional and operational, should be driven by qualitative and quantitative data.
WELCOME BACK P.C. FAMILIES!
Look below for our Pierce County Fall Parent Involvement Newsletter.
August 18, 2012
Volume 6, Issue 1
|
2012-2013 School wide Title I District
Pierce County Family Resource Center, Blackshear Elementary School
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Family Involvement Website, http://piercecounty.schoolinsites.com/
Christa Larson, Family Involvement Coordinator, 807.0048, clarson@pierce.k12.ga.us
CASA Family Day:
September 24, 2012
Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your ChildrenTM was launched in 2001 by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. Family Day is a national movement that informs parents that the engagement fostered during frequent family dinners is an effective tool to help keep America’s kids substance free.
Dinner Makes A Difference!
What can I do as a parent?
Become a Family Day STAR!
I commit to:
S- Spend time with my kids by having dinner together
T- Talk to them about their friends, interests and the dangers of drugs and alcohol
A- Answer their questions and listen to what they say
R- Recognize that I have the power to help keep my kids substance free!
www.casafamilyday.org
“America’s drug problem is not going to be solved in courtrooms or legislative hearing rooms by judges and politicians. It will be solved in living rooms and dining rooms and across kitchen tables – by parents and families.”Joseph A. Califano, Jr.,
Pierce County Parent University:
Our Parent University is partnering with OTC to bring you even more opportunities to learn and grow as a parent!
Introduction to Computers: Learn how to make technology work for you, even if you have never turned on a computer. Upon completion of this OTC course, you will have more confidence in using your computer as a tool for daily work, communication, and entertainment. Call 912.287.5854 for more info or to register.
Blackshear OTC Campus:
October 11-November 15, 2012
Understanding High School Requirements and Testing: This Luncheon Workshop is being made available by Carter’s Fried Chicken and will be presented at PCHS. Join us as we learn how to navigate the high school setting, prepare for important testing and see what resources are available to take our students right into the college and career world. (www.gacollege411.org)
PCHS: Wednesday, September 12, 2012,
12:00-1:00 p.m.
2012-2013 Mentor Program
The Pierce County Mentor Program is looking for volunteers. The Mentor Program provides an opportunity for adults and kids to form friendships and have fun.
In order to be a mentor, a person must be at least 18 years old and out of high school. An individual must also fill out an application packet/screening and attend a training session. However, the most important qualification is a real desire to work with young people. If you would like to become a mentor, contact Christa Larson at 912.807.0048 or your school’s Guidance Counselor.
Together…..we can make a difference!
Mentor Training Dates:
PES Aug. 16, 2012, 8:30 a.m.
Cristi Blount, 912.647.6373
MES Aug. 29, 2012, 8:45 a.m.
Kim Lydon, 912.807.0084
PCMS Sept.7, 2012, TBA
Stephanie King or Terry Tatum, 912.449-2077
BES Sept. 14, 2012, 9:00 a.m.
Sherry Bowen, 912.449-2088
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Aug 17 Flying Dragon Arts Center performing ‘Annie’ 7 p.m.
Aug 18 FDAC performing ‘Annie’ 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Aug 18 Money Matters workshop 9 a.m. – noon @ Ware Co. Ext. Office
Aug 19 FDAC performing ‘Annie’ 3 p.m.
Aug 24 FDAC performing ‘Annie’ 7 p.m.
Aug 25 FDAC performing ‘Annie’ 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Aug 25 Heels and Wheels for Megan’s House Triathlon/Duathlon
Aug 26 FDAC performing ‘Annie’ 3 p.m.
Aug 29 America’s 2nd Harvest @ Lee St. distribution 11 a.m.– 1 p.m.
Aug 30 Community Pep Rally @ Blackshear City Park
Sep 3 Labor Day
Sep 3-4 Pierce County Schools closed
Sep 8 Rumble in the Swamp III
Sep 15 Amris Jam @ Tiger Field (behind BoE) 4 p.m. to midnight
Sep 16 Grandparents Day
Sep 19 Pierce County Family Connection collaborative meeting
Sep 22 Autumn Begins
Sep 27 Intro to Computers class Blackshear – registration due
Oct 8 Columbus Day
Oct 8-9 Pierce County Schools closed
Oct 10 Pierce County Schools Calendar Adjustment day
Oct 13 5th Annual National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Walk
Oct 17 Pierce County Family Connection collaborative meeting
Oct 19-20 Haunted Parlor
Oct 26-27 Haunted Parlor
Oct 29-30 Haunted Parlor
Oct 30 Downtown Trick or Treat Blackshear
Oct 31 Halloween
Nov 3 Pecan Festival
Pierce County Schools
Motto: Excellence is Standard
Mission Statement: PierceCountySchool System promotes excellence as the standard.
Vision Statement: Our vision is forPierceCounty graduates to become creative problem solvers excelling in a competitive global environment.
Pierce County Beliefs:
We believe that all students can learn; therefore:
Trusting, caring relationships with all stakeholders are directly linked to success.
Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs.
A variety of instructional approaches will be provided to support their different learning styles.
Students achieve best when they are actively engaged in their educational process and share accountability for their learning.
Prompt and regular attendance by students and staff is essential.
Student and staff wellness contributes to effective teaching and learning.
Continuous and balanced assessment drives instruction and enhances student learning.
Collaborative learning communities are critical for optimum student achievement.
It is important to provide a safe, secure, and quality environment.
Technology integration is essential to enhance instructional and operational processes.
Decisions, both instructional and operational, should be driven by qualitative and quantitative data.
Click below for the Georgia Parent Engagement Summer Newsletter with a forward by Superintendent John Barge.
http://www.gadoe.org/School-Improvement/Federal-Programs/Pages/Parent-Engagement-Program-For-Parents-Links.aspx
Pierce County Family Involvement: Actively engaging our families and community to help each of our students excel!
