School Wide Learning Handbook

Fairbury Public Schools

School Wide Learning Program

Family Handbook

Table of Contents

Purpose of the School Wide Learning Program Page 2

Parent Involvement Policy Page 2

Academic Standards/Student Performance Page 4

Supplemental Education Services Page 4

Requirements of Law Page 4

Complaint Procedure Page 6

School Wide Learning Agreement Page 7

 (Please sign and return to your child’s teacher)

Purpose of the School Wide Learning Program

The purpose of the Title I School Wide Learning Program in the Fairbury Public School District is to ensure that all children are given an opportunity to learn to be successful in classes or subjects in school, the work place and society.

At the elementary level, the Fairbury Public Schools operates a School Wide model to provide instructional support services for all students.  Differentiated and individualized instruction will be prioritized at each of the elementary grades (K-6) with students receiving primary reading and/or mathematics instruction at a level that both matches and challenges their present level of performance.

Any student demonstrating specific academic need will be provided additional support and learning opportunities by highly trained and certified staff. The teaching staff will determine the most appropriate and beneficial educational methods, materials and setting to be used for each class. Students continue to fully participate in their grade-level's regular curriculum and instruction while supported by the School Wide Learning Program.

A yearly meeting between the teaching staff and parents will be held in the Spring of the year to evaluate the effectiveness of the School Wide Learning Program and to set goals for the following year. A copy of the School Wide Learning Compact will be given to each district family annually.

Parent Involvement Policy

It is the policy of the Fairbury Public School District that parents of all students have the opportunity to be involved in the joint development of the district plan and in review of the district's School Wide Learning Program and policies.

The district will provide support necessary in the planning and implementation of parent involvement activities. The district supports parent involvement and communication between the school and the home. It will provide information concerning standards and assessment, as well as training and materials for parents to use in the educational development of their children.

The Parent Involvement Policy includes the following:

• • Each parent of an elementary student will receive a copy of the School Wide Parent Handbook. This handbook includes a copy of the School Wide Learning Compact.

• • A spring meeting for all parents of elementary children will be held. Other individual and group meetings will be arranged as needed during the year. Parents will be notified during the year by notes sent home with students. Individual meetings may be arranged by phone or letter.

• • The administration and teaching staff will work to help parents understand the requirements of the No Child Left Behind law, National Educational Goals, content and state standards for reading and math, performance standards and assessments. Parents will be given notice of meetings and procedures by mail and/or letters sent home with students.

• • During parent/teacher conferences, parents are encouraged to meet with each of their child's teachers to discuss their child's progress. Conferences are held twice a year (Fall and Spring).

• • All parent recommendations, questions or concerns will be addressed in a timely manner. Meetings with parents and teachers will be set up when necessary. Parents are encouraged to be involved in all phases of their child's educational program.

• • The school will encourage parental attendance at annual Parent Involvement Conferences (in Kearney during the Fall and in Fairbury during the Spring) and will support parents in their efforts to attend these and other meetings.

                                                          

• • An annual evaluation of the Title I School Wide Learning Program will be conducted bi-annually. A survey will be sent to the parents of elementary children. This evaluation will be shared with parents at the Annual Spring Parent meeting.

• • The School Wide Learning Program sponsors a Read-at-Home Program for students in Kindergarten through 2^nd Grade. All students are encouraged to read daily. Three Read-at-Home programs are offered each year; fall, spring, and summer.

Academic Standards/Student Performance Levels

All students will be included in the district assessment plan and process.

The assessment methods and instruments used in the Fairbury Public Schools will be a combination of local standard assessments, universal screening instruments, state-wide tests (NeSA-Reading; NeSA-Math; NeSA-Writing; NeSA-Science) and the NWEA Measurement of Academic Progress (Grades 2-9; 11).

Adequate yearly progress will be achieved when, at a minimum, the student population performs in the proficient and advanced ranges at designated levels, and the percentage of the student population performing in the lower ranges (beginning and progressing) decreases annually.

Supplemental Education Services

Jefferson Intermediate School was placed on the PLAS (Persistently Low Achieving School) List during the 2011/2012 school year.  Our students who qualify as special education students did not reach state set proficiency levels in the areas of reading and math.  As a result of this designation, Jefferson Intermediate School is required by law to offer Supplemental Educational Services (SES) to our free/reduced population.  

The PLAS team at Jefferson completed a plan and sent an application to the Nebraska Department of Education applying to be a state certified SES provider.  The application was approved.  The Jeff Pride Program will begin during the 2012/2013 school year.  This is an after school program that will take place every, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for 90 minutes.  Teachers at Jefferson will offer extra assistance in the areas of math and reading to students who qualify.  Please direct all questions regarding the PLAS list and the Jeff Pride Program to Mr. Randy Kort, Principal Jefferson Intermediate School, (402) 729-5041.

Requirements of Law

A copy of Public Law 107-110, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, is on file with the Student Services Director of the Fairbury Public Schools. Anyone can view this policy by setting up an appointment with a school administrator. This Act serves as a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. It redefines the federal role in K-12 education and will help close the gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers. It is based on four basic principles: stronger accountability for results, increased flexibility and local control, expand options for parents, and an emphasis on teaching methods that have been proven to work.

In accordance with the "Parent's Right-To-Know" provision of the No Child Left Behind Act, the Fairbury Public School District will, upon request, provide parents/guardians information regarding the professional qualifications of the student's classroom teachers, including the following:

• • Whether the teacher has met State qualifications and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.

• • Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.

• • The college degree of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher.

• • Whether the child is provided service by paraprofessionals, and, if so, their qualifications.

In addition, the Fairbury Public School District will provide to each student's parent/guardian:

• • Information on the student's level of achievement in each of the State academic standard assessments.

• • Timely notice when the student has been assigned or taught for four (4) or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who may or not be considered "highly qualified" (e.g. substitute teachers).

                                                                             Complaint Procedure

Chapter 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 299.10 required each State Education Agency (SEA) such as the Nebraska Department of Education to adopt written procedures for receiving and resolving any complaint from an organization or individual that the Department of Education or any school district, agency or consortium of agencies that receives a grant is violating a federal statute or regulation that applies to federal programs including Title I Parts A, B, C and D. When submitting a complaint, the following must be included:

• • The name of the federal program
• • The recipient of the grant (i.e., Nebraska Department of Education, school district, agency, consortium of agencies)
• • A description of the alleged violation of statute or regulation with supporting information - facts and dates,
• • The name, address and signature of the person making the complaint.

All written complaints should be directed to the school district's Student Services Director, Mr. Jeremy Christiansen, 808 F Street, Fairbury, Nebraska 68362.

SCHOOL WIDE LEARNING COMPACT

FAIRBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

In cooperation with family and community, the mission of the Fairbury Public School District is to prepare all students to be lifelong learners, productive and responsible citizens in a changing society through quality educational programs in a safe and supportive environment.

Hand in hand we can learn and work together to build a better world.

As a Teacher I will

• believe that each student can learn;

• show respect for each child and his/her family;

• come to class prepared to teach;

• provide an environment conducive to learning;

• help each child grow to his/her fullest potential;

• provide meaningful and appropriate homework activities;

• enforce school and classroom rules fairly and consistently;

• maintain open lines of communication with students and parents;

• demonstrate professional behavior and a positive attitude.

As a Student I will

• always try to do my best in my work and in my behavior;

• work cooperatively with my classmates;

• show respect for myself, my school and other people;

• obey the school and bus rules;

• take pride in my school;

• come to school prepared with my homework and my supplies;

• believe that I can learn and will learn.

As a Parent/Guardian I will

• see that my child attends school regularly and on time;

• provide a home environment that encourages my child to learn;

• insist that all homework assignments are completed;

• communicate regularly with my child's teachers;

• support the school in developing positive behaviors;

• talk with my child about his/her school activities every day;

• encourage my child to read at home;

• monitor his/her TV viewing;

• volunteer time at my child's school when possible;

• show respect and support for my child, the teacher and the school.

Hand in hand we work together to carry out the agreement of this compact.

Teacher Student Parent

Date Date Date