Academy at Elkin

Appalachian State University Academy at Elkin Parental Involvement Policy

I. Introduction

The Appalachian State University Academy at Elkin (hereinafter the "Academy" ) recognizes that a child's education is a responsibility shared by the Academy and family and promotes and supports parental involvement in student learning, achievement at Academy and at home, and encouragement of students toward graduation. The Academy at Elkin will communicate with parents regarding student expectations and progress, provide opportunities for parent/teacher collaboration, and will create an environment in the Academy conducive for parental involvement.

II. Policy Scope

This policy applies to the parents, legal guardians, and legal custodians of students who are under 18 years old. Unless otherwise stated in specific policies, references to "parents" also include persons acting in the place of parents, such as legal guardians or legal custodians or a person enrolling a student under an Affidavit of Hardship.

III. Principles

Although parents are diverse in culture, language and needs, they share the commitment of the Academy at Elkin to the educational success of their children. The Academy at Elkin, in collaboration with parents, shall establish programs and practices to enhance parental involvement and reflect the specific needs of students and their families.

IV. Parent Communication and Conferences

The Academy at Elkin supports the development, implementation and regular evaluation of a parental involvement program to include parents at all grade levels in a variety of roles. The parental involvement programs will be comprehensive and coordinated in nature. They will include, but not be limited to, the following components of successful parental involvement programs:

1. Regular and meaningful communication between the student's home(s) and the Academy at Elkin including monthly newsletters, quarterly report cards and progress reports, notification of special programs and opportunities, fliers and telephone communications;
2. Scheduled parent conferences for the purposes of discussing student progress;
3. Promotion and support of responsible parenting through referrals to external resources including Family Services, Alexander Youth Network, and Cardinal Innovations as well as Academy based opportunities such as the Community Clothes Closet, the Backpack Program and work force classes for parents;
4. Ongoing encouragement for parents to play an integral role in assisting student learning;
5. Welcoming atmosphere actively seeking parental support and assistance; and
6. Information regarding community resources to strengthen Academy programs, family practices and student learning.

The Academy at Elkin shall provide the parent(s) of each student with written notification quarterly of a student's reading and math progress. Academy at Elkin teachers will administer the Appalachian State University Informal Reading Inventory (IRI) to all students. The Academy at Elkin will notify parents of the results of these assessments in quarterly report cards and during parent teacher conferences at the end of first and second quarters and at the beginning of fourth quarter.

V. Annual Meeting and Program Evaluation

Each year, Academy officials shall invite parents of students participating in Title I programs to a meeting to explain parental rights, discuss the programs and activities to be provided with Title I funds, and solicit input on the Title I program and this policy. The Academy at Elkin shall use any information collected at this meeting to revise Title I programs and parent and family engagement opportunities at the Academy at Elkin.

VI. Parental Notification

As a Title I Academy, the Academy at Elkin will effectively disseminate information to all parents regarding parental rights and other required information regarding Title I schools and programs, in accordance with federal law. Annually the Academy at Elkin shall notify parents of the following:

1. Parental rights related to student records;
2. The schedule of pesticide use on Academy property and their right to request notification of nonscheduled pesticide use;
3. Student behavior policies, code of student conduct and Academy standards andrules;
4. The permissible use of seclusion and restraint at the Academy;
5. The discrimination, harassment and bullying complaint procedure and policy stating that the Academy at Elkin does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age;
6. Student and parent grievance procedure for admissions and student disciplinary matters;
7. The dates of all state-mandated tests that students will be required to take during the Academy year, how the results from the tests will be used and the consequences thereof;
8. Information to parents of students identified for participation in English Learners Programs including the following: reasons for the child's identification, the child's level of English proficiency and how the level was assessed, methods of instruction, how the program will help the child, the exit requirements for the program, if the child has a disability how the language instruction educational programs meets the objects of the child's individualized educational program, and any other information necessary to inform the parent about the program and the parental rights regarding enrollment, removal and selection for participation in the program;
9. A report containing information about the Academy including the following: student achievement, graduation rates, performance on Academy quality or student success indicators, the progress of students toward meeting long term goals, student performance measures of Academy climate and safety, performance of the Academy at Elkin compared to the state as a whole, percentage of students assessed, per pupil expenditures and teacher qualifications;
10. The grade awarded to the Academy on the most recent annual report card issued for it by the State Board of Education, if the Academy received a grade of D or F;
11. Supportive services available to students including but not limited to guidance, counsel-ing and health services;
12. Information about meningococcal meningitis and influenza, including causes, symptoms, how diseases are spread, and places where parents can obtain additional information or vaccines;
13. Information about the availability and location of free summer food service program meals for students when Academy is not in session;
14. For parents of children with disabilities, procedural safeguards; and
15. Education rights of homeless students.

VII. Parental Permission Required

Written parental permission shall be required prior to the following activities:

1. The administration of medications to students by employees of the Academy at Elkin;
2. The release of student records that are not considered directory information, unless the release is allowed or required by law;
3. Students' participation in any off-campus trip or experience;
4. Students' participation in any high-impact or high-risk sport or extracurricular activities;
5. All decisions or actions as required by IDEA with regard to providing special education or related services to students with disabilities;
6. Certain health services, as required by law;
7. Students' participation in any mental health assessment or mental health services under circumstances prescribed by federal law;
8. Disclosure of students' free and reduced price lunch eligibility information or eligibility status; and
9. Students' independent access to the Internet.

VIII. Additional Support

The Academy at Elkin supports professional development opportunities for staff members to enhance understanding of effective parental involvement strategies. The Academy at Elkin also recognizes the importance of administrative leadership in setting expectations and creating a climate conducive to parental participation.

Engaging parents is essential to improved student achievement. The Academy at Elkin shall foster and support active parental involvement at various levels, including but not limited to, the following: annual meetings; training opportunities that meet the changing needs of families; coordination with external resources and family support programs; opportunities for involvement of limited English proficient parents and parents of students with disabilities;, evaluation of parent involvement programs; opportunities to volunteer, participate and observe in class activities; development of an Academy at Elkin/parent Title I compact, and Academy at Elkin policies.

IX. Authority

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232g, 34 C.F.R. 99
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. 6301, et seq.

X. Original Effective Date

May 25, 2022