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    Tawanka Elementary School Parent & Family Engagement Policy

    2022-2023

    Tawanka Elementary School is dedicated and committed to helping each child gain the skills, knowledge and behaviors that will empower him/her to become an active and successful member of our school and community. We are proud to be a Title I school that embodies a diverse population of learners with unique learning preferences and needs.

    A vital part of the Title I program includes parent engagement. The following Parent and Family Engagement Policy was developed and revised jointly with parents of Tawanka students to meet the specific needs of Tawanka Elementary families for the 2022-2023 school year. The policy will be updated annually, posted on Tawanka’s Title I website and distributed to parents through email.

    Tawanka Elementary School’s Parent and Family Engagement Policy:

    • Parents will be invited to collaborate in the planning, review, and improvement of the school's Parent and Family Engagement Policy and the Title I Program at the annual Title I and Parent Advisory Council Meetings. 
    • Parents will be informed of Tawanka’s participation in the Title I program at Back to School Night and the annual Fall Federal Programs and Title I Meetings.  An explanation of the requirements of the Title I program and parents’ right to be involved will be given during these parent events.
    • At Tawanka Elementary School, parent meetings and conferences will be held at different times during the day to accommodate parents' schedules.  Parents will be given the option to attend in person or virtually whenever possible. 
    • Tawanka families will be informed via emails and regular school newsletters about the
      Title I program throughout the year.
    • Parents will be provided with a description and explanation of the curriculum and the Pennsylvania State Standards, the forms of academic, local, and state assessments used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet at Back to School Night, parent conferences, Parent Universities, Title I meetings, and on our school/district website.
    • Parents may request opportunities to meet to formulate suggestions and participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children.  These requests will be responded to as soon as practically possible.
    • Parents are invited to participate in the joint development of the Schoolwide Program Plan under Section 1114.  Please contact Tawanka’s principal, Mr. Donald Palmer, if you are interested in serving on this team.
    • Tawanka has a School-Parent Compact that is jointly developed with Tawanka families and outlines how students, parents, and staff will work together to improve academic achievement.  This compact was updated in conjunction with Tawanka families at the Fall Parent Advisory Council meeting that was held in person and virtually on October 3, 2022.  Tawanka’s School-Parent Compact will be shared with all Tawanka families via email and will be included in Tawanka’s Title I Parent Handbook which can be found on Tawanka’s website and in the Parent Resource Center in the main office.
    • Tawanka will provide materials and trainings to help parents work with their children at home.  Trainings include literacy trainings, technology training modules, and Parent Universities.
    • Annually, Tawanka will provide a training for school personnel on how to work with parents and family members using the training videos developed by Pennsylvania’s State Parent Advisory Council. 
    • Parents will be invited to an annual Federal Programs Meeting where they will learn about Neshaminy’s participation in various federal programming. 
    • Tawanka Elementary School is committed to supporting parents' participation in our school's programs. Title I funds may be used to pay reasonable and necessary expenses associated with parent involvement activities, including transportation and childcare, to enable parents to participate in school-related meetings and training sessions.
    • Tawanka will use Language Line to translate parent meetings and events into families’ native languages when appropriate.  Additionally, announcements and paperwork sent home, except for student homework, will be provided to families in their native language whenever possible.

    Revised: October 2022

    This Parent & Family Engagement Policy has been developed jointly with, and agreed on with, parents of children participating in Title I, Part A programs, as evidenced by the parent meeting held on October 3, 2022.  This policy will be in effect for the period of one year. The school will make available this policy to all parents of participating Title I, Part A children on or before November 30, 2022.