2020-2021 Baton Elementary School

PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICY

Revised June 24, 2020*

• At the first Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) meeting, students and parents will be oriented to the policies and procedures for the school.  The principal will share key initiatives for the year, including the School Improvement Plan.
• In addition to a meet-and-greet evening prior to the first day of school, our school will host a variety of extra-curricular activities, showcasing students’ talents and abilities.  These include Battle of the Books and National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) competitions and our Baton chorus concerts among others.
• Parents serve on the School Improvement Team and PTO. Numerous opportunities are available for parents to volunteer in classrooms, media center, field trips, field days, and awards programs. School staff provides other opportunities for parents to participate in their students’ education.  Examples include assisting teachers in classes, eating lunch with their children, providing supplies or special items for classes, assisting in the media center for special events, and participating in school beautification.  This list is not exhaustive, and other volunteer opportunities may be available upon suggestion and/or request.  Note:  Parents may only volunteer for one hour per day in their own child’s classroom unless otherwise approved by the teacher or principal.  Additionally, parents must be registered in the Volunteer Tracker program to volunteer for certain activities.  Please contact the school office for more information regarding Volunteer Tracker.
• We will share information through a mass-alert system called Blackboard, PTO meetings, small group meetings, NC School Report Card, teacher communication via phone calls, letters/notes home, parent conferences, school newsletter, PowerSchool Parent Portal, social media, and the school website and marquee.
• We will provide the following opportunities to discuss children’s progress: Kindergarten through 5th grade teachers will schedule conferences by the end of the third grading period and at other times if parents request them or as teachers perceive the need. They will communicate through phone calls, emails, and notes/letters home. Second through fifth grade teachers and support staff will relay progress through student planners as needed.
• Students deemed at risk of failure to meet grade-level expectations will be provided assistance through the Multi-Tiered System of Support framework to help to ensure their success. 
• Parents are important stakeholders in the content of school wide program plans and contribute through the PTO, School Improvement Team, and annual spring parent survey.
• We value the cooperation of parents who complete and return locally developed parent-student compacts sent home early in the school year.
• Parents have the opportunity to learn about state standards for each grade level at Orientation, PTO meetings, grade-level parent meetings, and individual conferences. Parents are encouraged to utilize the PowerSchool program to monitor student progress and demographic information.
• We will host Title I parent nights for parents of students in Grades PK – 5, demonstrating reading and math instructional techniques, and providing important information and materials for parents.
• To ensure that parents understand information about the school and parent programs, we provide language translations of notices/invitations, NC School Report Card, and student discipline actions as needed.

*Due to COVID-19, some of these items are subject to change based on the metrics of the pandemic at the time.

Programs, activities and facilities of the Caldwell County School System are available to all on a non-discriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.  The school system is an equal access Equal Opportunity Employer.  Questions pertaining to educational equity, equal opportunity, or equal access should be addressed to the Title IX Coordinator, Caldwell County Schools, 1914 Hickory Blvd. SW, Lenoir, NC 28645; 828-728-8407.