PURPOSE: Tulsa Public Schools shall promote parent and family engagement in all schools as mandated by Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, reauthorized by Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA), and work as equal partners with parents and families in providing quality learning experiences for every student, every day, without exception.
The Board believes and acknowledges that parent and family engagement raise the academic achievement level of students. Additionally, parents become empowered, teacher morale improves, and communities grow stronger when parents take an active role in educating their children. To this end, schools shall involve parents in the education of their children at all grade levels. The Superintendent or designee shall provide coordination, technical assistance, and other support necessary to assist all schools in planning and implementing effective parent engagement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance. Section 1116 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title I, Part A, Parent and Family Engagement establishes that to build capacity for parent and family engagement within schools, a district is to “develop jointly with, agree on with, and distribute to parents and family members of participating children a written Parent and Family Engagement Policy”.
Building Parents and Families Capacity for Involvement
The Board believes that empowering parents and families to insist on improvement and giving schools extra incentive to do so, and by giving parents and families options regarding their children’s education, helps the district to realize its vision of “Destination Excellence” for patrons of the community. As a result of this belief, the Board shall create an environment of supportive and collaborative parent and family engagement.
- Program Information for Parents and Families: Disney Elementary School shall aid parents and families of all children in understanding such topics as the state’s academic content and achievement standards, the assessments being used, the requirements and rights of Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and how to monitor their children’s progress, and work with educators to improve their achievement.
- Accountability- Disney Elementary School utilizes various accountability measures to ensure that the needs of our students are being met. Parents, families, students, and teachers will sign an “Accountability Agreement” during the fall of each school year that outlines the responsibilities each holds in the education of the student. Students, parents and families will receive written notification of the Code of Conduct, Dress Code, and Attendance Policies at the beginning of each school year to make parents, families and students aware of acceptable behavior and the consequences of violating these expectations. Progress reports will alternate with report cards every 4 ½ weeks to help parents and families monitor their student’s progress. Parents and families will also be able to access their progress online anytime through the school’s PowerSchool system.
- Materials and Training: Disney Elementary School shall provide materials and training during Literacy Nights and Parent Parties to help parents and families work with their children to improve achievement. Also, Disney will maintain a Parent and Family Resource Center in the school lobby to assist parents and families with their needs. The Parent and Family Resource Center has a collection of parenting books, handbooks, flyers, and community resource information to provide parents and families with the tools necessary to help develop successful students. Disney will also provide professional development opportunities to faculty and staff to strengthen and enhance the “teacher—parent-family” relationship. Disney will also provide training to parents and families on how to access PowerSchool to check student’s grades and attendance.
- Educational Opportunities: Disney Elementary School shall educate teachers, pupil services personnel, principals and other staff, with the assistance of parents and families, in the value and utility of contributions of parents and families, and in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents and families as equal partners, implement and coordinate parent and family programs and build ties between parents, families and the school. Students may expand their learning opportunities by utilizing learning programs such as, Ready Rosie for English Language development, & Zearn and Prodigy for Math.
- Pre-School Coordination: Disney Elementary School partnered with Disney Head Start, a Four-Year-Old program in Collaboration with Community Action Program. Four-year-olds experience Disney cafeteria procedures via an invited lunchtime opportunity at the end of the year. Also, they visit a Kindergarten class to familiarize themselves with the classroom atmosphere. The parents and families of four-year olds meet periodically and host their special events here at Disney as well.
- Communication and Resources: Disney Elementary School is committed to keeping parents and families informed of its activities. Newsletters, School Messenger telephone system, social media, our school website, Talking Points, and the school marquee are used to inform parents and families of Disney school events, meetings, and other important information in English and Spanish. Disney also communicates with Spanish speaking parents and families through the school’s parent facilitator and interpreter, Elizabeth Villalobos. Programs such as the Food for Kids Backpack for children from the Community Food Bank of Oklahoma, Operation School Bell, and Thanksgiving Food Baskets from the Salvation Army for everyone in need are also offered at Disney Elementary.
- Other Requested Activities: Disney Elementary School shall provide such other reasonable support for parental and family engagement activities as parents and families may request. Disney will proactively develop appropriate roles for community organizations and businesses in parental and family engagement activities. Disney partners with Hope Church, St. Dunstan’s Church, Enterprise, CiCi’s Pizza, Sonic, Silver Ladies, Shortline Dental Health, Community Health Connection, Dayspring, OSU Family Science, and Faith Technologies to better serve our students and families.
- Informational Meetings: To foster positive and meaningful interaction between parents and staff, Disney will hold meetings throughout the school year. These meetings include, but are not limited to, Back to School Night, Parent, Family Teacher Conferences, Parent and Family Parties, and Literacy Nights.
