Family Involvement

Family Involvement at Cottonwood Day School

At Cottonwood Day School, we recognize the importance of family involvement in a child’s education, whether it be parents, guardians, or caregivers. Our Parent Involvement Policy underscores this commitment, emphasizing the essential role that all family members play in supporting student success.

Here’s an overview of our family involvement initiatives:

Parent Involvement Policy

We are dedicated to building strong connections between parents/guardians and the school community. Our goals include:

• Establishing meaningful relationships between parents/guardians and the school.
• Implementing effective strategies to enhance family involvement.
• Encouraging partnerships with community organizations and local businesses.
• Empowering parents/guardians to participate actively in their children’s education.

Four Key Roles of Families in Education

Research highlights four essential roles that family members can play in their child’s learning:

• Teachers: Supporting learning at home.
• Supporters: Contributing skills to the school community.
• Advocates: Ensuring fair treatment for their children.
• Decision-makers: Collaborating with the school on important decisions.

Family-School Partnership

We recognize that guardians, in addition to parents, are vital partners in ensuring the best possible learning experience for every child. To strengthen this partnership, we prioritize:

• Continuous two-way communication between home and school.
• Collaborative development of the school’s improvement plan.
• Regular assessment and enhancement of family involvement activities.
• Integration of parents/guardians into school planning and professional development.

Student-Parent Handbook and Parent Involvement Policy

Guardians and parents will receive our Student-Parent Handbook and Parent Involvement Policy. These documents outline our commitment to family involvement and detail how we implement our initiatives.

Parent Advisory Committee

Our Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) comprises family members and school personnel. This committee plays a crucial role in developing our School Plan for Family Involvement. Monthly meetings provide opportunities for parents/guardians to engage in planning, reviewing, and improving our family involvement policies.

Parent-School Compact

The Parent-School Compact outlines shared responsibilities for student achievement:

• School’s responsibility for high-quality education.
• Family members are responsible for supporting their children’s education and communicating with teachers.
• Emphasis on regular communication and involvement opportunities.

Annual Meeting

We hold an annual meeting to:

• Inform families about our School-wide Program Plan and program requirements.
• Address family rights and present annual assessment data.
• Summarize our school improvement plan and family involvement activities.
• Provide information on monthly PAC meetings, parent-teacher conferences, progress reports, and other important events.
• Offer in-depth family training sessions on various topics throughout the school year.

At Cottonwood Day School, we value families' active involvement in their children's education. Whether you're a parent, guardian, or caregiver, your partnership is crucial in creating a supportive environment where every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.