School-Level Parent and Family Engagement Policy

Under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Title I School-Level Parent and Family Engagement Policy SOAR High School

SOAR High School has developed a written Title I parent and family engagement policy with input from Title I parents and family members. Parent survey results and parent workshop/discussion forums were held to help develop this policy. It has distributed the policy to parents and family members of Title I students via the Student Handbook and the school website. The policy describes the means for carrying out the following Title I parent and family engagement requirements. [20 USC 6316 (a)-(f) inclusive]

Engagement of Parents in the Title I Program

To involve parents and family members in the Title I program at SOAR High School, the following practices have been established:

▪ The school convenes an annual meeting to inform parents and family members of their school’s participation in the Title I program and to explain Title I requirements and the right of parents and family members to be involved in the Title I program. [20 USC 6316(c)(1)] Every new family is informed of these rights and requirements at the New Parent Meeting prior to their first semester at SOAR High School. Ongoing updates and meetings are held at quarterly Coffee with the Stars.

▪ The school offers a flexible number of meetings for Title I parents and family members, such as meetings in the morning or evening. [20 USC 6316(c)(2)] Title I updates are given at quarterly Coffee with the Stars and after parent workshops.

▪ The school involves parents and family members of Title I students in an organized, ongoing, and timely way, in the planning, review*, and improvement of the school’s Title I programs, including the planning, review, and improvement of the school parent and family engagement policy. ** [20 USC 6316(c)(3)] Parents were issued a survey at the first parent meeting about parent involvement. In addition, all parents received a parent survey via email. Parents were given a copy of the Home-School Compact. Further updates are given quarterly at the Coffee with the Stars.

▪ The school provides parents and family members of Title I students with timely information about Title I programs. [20 USC 6316(c)(4)(A)] Regular updates are given at Coffee with the Stars, in bulletins, and on the SOAR High School website.

▪ The school provides parents and family members of Title I students with an explanation of the curriculum used at the school, the assessments used to measure student progress, and the achievement levels of the challenging State academic standards. [20 USC 6316(c)(4)(B)] Families are informed about curriculum in the Home-School Compact, Back-to-School nights, school outreach via email and the school website, and at Coffee with the Stars quarterly meetings.

▪ If requested by parents of Title I students, the school provides opportunities for regular meetings that allow the parents and family members to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children. [20 USC 6316(4)(C)] Parents are able to contact the school and schedule parent-teacher conferences and meetings, attend School-Site Council Meetings, attend Coffee with the Stars, Back to School Nights and the SOAR Family BBQ.

*It may be helpful to include the parent and family engagement policy review in the annual review of the Single Plan for Student Achievement.

**The policy must be updated periodically to meet changing needs of parents and family members and the school. If the school has a process in place for involving parents and family members in planning and designing the school’s programs, the school may use that process if it includes adequate representation of parents and family members of children participating in Title I. [20 USC 6316(b)(1) and 6316(c)(3)]

School-Parent Compact

SOAR High School distributes to parents and family members of Title I students a school-parent compact. The compact, which has been jointly developed with parents and family members, outlines how parents and family members, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement. It describes specific ways the school and families will partner to help children achieve the challenging State academic standards. [20 USC 6316(d)] The separate school-parent compact addresses the following legally required items, and may include other items suggested by parents and family members of Title I students.

▪ The school’s responsibility to provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment. [20 USC 6316(d)(1)]

▪ The ways parents will be responsible for supporting their children’s learning. [20 USC 6316(d)(1)]

▪ The importance of ongoing communication between parents and teachers through, at a minimum, annual parent-teacher conferences***; frequent reports on student progress; access to staff; opportunities for parents and family members to volunteer and participate in their child’s class; opportunities to observe classroom activities; and regular two-way meaningful communication between family members and school staff in a language that family members can understand. [20 USC 6316(d)(2)(A)-(D) inclusive]

The Home-School Compact was developed by SOAR Staff and parents. It was reviewed by School Site Council and will continue to be revised annually by parents and staff.

Building Capacity for Engagement

SOAR High School engages Title I parents and family members in meaningful interactions with the school. It supports a partnership among staff, parents and family members, and the community to improve student academic achievement. [20 USC 6316(e)] To help reach these goals, the school has established the following practices.

▪ The school provides Title I parents and families with assistance in understanding the challenging State academic standards, State and local assessments, and how to monitor and improve the achievement of their children. [20 USC 6316(e)(1)] At back to school night and Coffee with the Stars, data and test results are presented.

▪ The school provides Title I parents and families with materials and training to help them work with their children to improve their children's achievement. [20 USC 6316(e)(2)] At various parent workshops, parents are given examples and training in communication, education plans, monitoring student progress and grades.

▪ With the assistance of Title I parents and families, the school educates staff members about the value of parent contributions, and in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents and family members as equal partners, implement and coordinate parent programs, and build ties between the parents and families and the school. [20 USC 6316(e)(3)] In Professional Development, teachers are educated in PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) and encouraged to call parents and communicate about instructional practices and student progress.

▪ The school coordinates and integrates the Title I parent and family engagement program with other Federal, State, and local programs, including public preschool programs, and conducts other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents and family members in more fully participating in the education of their children. [20 USC 6316(e)(4)] SOAR has a student success center that provides resources for all stakeholders. Counseling is always available to provide resources for student support.

▪ The school distributes Information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities to Title I parents and family members in a format and language that the parents and family members can understand. [20 USC 6316(e)(5)] Many of our handouts are translated into Spanish. Our website is translatable as well. SOAR has headsets for translations during parent workshops. We have Arabic and Spanish-speaking members of our staff.

▪ The school provides support for parent and family engagement activities requested by Title I parents and family members. [20 USC 6316(c)(6)] SOAR surveys families to see how they would like to be involved and provides workshops and open forum meetings such as Coffee with the Stars to communicate and collect feedback from families.

Accessibility

SOAR High School provides opportunities for the informed participation of all Title I parents and family members, including parents and family members with limited English proficiency, parents and family members with disabilities, and parents and family members of migratory students. Information and school reports are provided in a format and language that parents and family members can understand. [20 USC 6316(c)(6)] All SOAR facilities are handicap accessible and SOAR is willing to accommodate families’ needs. Many of our handouts are translated into Spanish. Our website is translatable as well. SOAR has headsets for translations during parent workshops. We have Arabic and Spanish-speaking members of our staff.

2023-2024

Ms. Wendi Johnston, Principal

Mr. Matthew Fitzgerald, Vice Principal-Palmdale

Dr. Jill Zimmerman, AVC College Liaison

Ms. Rika Graves, Head Counselor

Ms. Keisha Como, Counselor-Palmdale

Ms. Campos, AVID Coordinator-Lancaster

Ms. Forbes, AVID Coordinator-Palmdale

Elizabeth Pineda, Title I Coordinator

District and SOAR High School Goals for Student Achievement:

1. Ensure that students are academically proficient and prepared for college and career.
2. Provide a 21st-century learning environment and rigorous curriculum that allows students to have multiple experiences and opportunities for academic, collegiate, professional and personal growth.
3. Cultivate a safe and secure, positive school culture that supports all students’ personal and academic growth.
4. Communicate effectively with all stakeholders and continue to build relationships in the community that help provide our students with innovative educational opportunities.

21st Century Learning & Rigorous Curriculum

• Chromebooks in every classroom
• Digital Math curriculum by Big Ideas
• Digital/SAT preparatory English Language Arts Curriculum by CollegeBoard (Honors level for all 9th, 10th, and 11th-graders)
• Dual enrollment courses at AVC
• Google Classroom, Canvas, and Course Sites for online learning
• Rigorous Science offerings: Biology (all 9th grade), *Articulated Chemistry (all 10th grade), Anatomy and Physiology,  Forensic Biology, Physics, *Articulated Psychology (available to 11th and 12th grade)
• Relevant Social Students offerings: Honors World History (10th grade), Honors US History (11th grade), Civics, Economics, Ethnic Students, Contemporary Issues

How families can help students succeed

• Teach students to advocate for themselves. Students must learn to talk to teachers, professors, and tutors about their needs or questions.
• Help your student establish and maintain their organizational system. All students have planners to help them keep track of homework.
• Help your student manage their time. Students need to learn to balance their schoolwork, social life and family time/responsibilities so they can get adequate sleep and stay healthy.
• Encourage participation in clubs, community service, and extracurricular activities. Colleges don’t just look at grades. A student who shows participation in his/her community is important for university admissions!
• Check PowerSchool. Stay up to date on grades, missing work and attendance.
• Download the AV High School District app. Stay up to date on announcements and upcoming events.

Have a question or concern about your student?

See our staff directory at soarhs.org to contact the teacher directly via email. For SOAR HS-Lancaster staff, call (661) 722-6509 to leave a message with Ms. Sheryl Klassen for a teacher.  For SOAR HS-Palmdale staff, call (661) 274-4619 to leave a message with Ms. Ana Castro for a teacher.

Please relay a phone number and times when you can be reached.

College and Career Readiness

• All students enrolled in AVID for academic support and college readiness
• College Admissions and Career Guest Speakers
• Family Connection
• College Field Trips
• Regularly updated scholarships list (see soarhs.org)
• Weekly AVID tutorials or Collaborative Study Groups
• College and Career Counselor (SOAR-Lancaster), Mrs. Rika Graves
• College and Career Counselor (SOAR-Palmdale), Ms. Keisha Como
• Pupil Services Technician, Mrs. Maria Galindo

Building Partnerships

If you would like to volunteer, chaperone field trips or events, participate and/or observe in the classroom, please contact our Lancaster office at (661) 722-6509 or our Palmdale office at (661) 274-4619.

For current announcements, bulletin and scholarship updates, visit our website at www.soarhs.org.