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One of the primary predictors of student success is parent
involvement in the education of their children. Gabriella Charter
School has created a school culture where parents and families
are embraced as partners in the education of their children.
Parents of GCS students are expected to be highly involved in
their children’s education both at school and at home.
Before the start of the school year, parents/guardians
are
expected to a) attend an orientation; b) sign a contract
indicating that they understand the GCS philosophy, program
and intended outcomes and c) accept the responsibilities set
forth in the contract. The contract encourages
parents/guardians to:
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- Work
with the child at home with homework and projects, to the fullest extent possible
- Maintain
communication with the teacher and staff
- Ensure
that their child attends school consistently and on time
- Enforce
the school code of conduct with their child (i.e. wearing the uniform, following school
rules)
- Enroll
their child in academic intervention/enrichment programs (After School Institutes,
Saturday classes, etc.), if the school deems it necessary
- Attend
at least two parent workshops during the school year
- Attend
a minimum of two parent/teacher conferences to review student progress and goals
- Volunteer
at the school a minimum of 15 hours
Parents receive a quarterly Support Card with feedback
regarding compliance with attendance,
behavior/uniform, homework and volunteer hour policies.
Many parents volunteer in a number of ways at the School.
These volunteer opportunities include:
- Assisting
in the classroom or dance studio
- Serving
meals for free and reduced breakfast and lunch program
- Helping
with landscape maintenance
- Creating
costumes for dance recitals
- Displaying
student work in halls and preparing artwork for school−wide exhibits
- Monitoring
the school gate at drop−off and pick−up
- Helping
with fundraising
- Assisting
in the School Office
GCS understands that, due to work and other commitments,
many parents may not be able to
volunteer during school hours. GCS works with these parents to ensure they are involved in their
child(ren)’s education through alternatively scheduled meetings and volunteer opportunities on
weekends or in the evenings. In addition, a School Site Committee, representing a diversity of
backgrounds (Hispanic, Korean and African−American) offers peer support to parents who need
additional help in supporting their child’s education.
Teachers play an integral part in building relationships
with the families of their students through
the creation of family nights, formal and informal conferences, provision of parent education and
other forms of home communication. These include weekly folders with announcements,
newsletters and information regarding educational and cultural events in the community, parent
bulletin boards, homework and reading logs (which require parent signatures and include daily
behavior charts) and regular phone contact regarding academic and emotional growth. Whenever
possible, the School provides translation in the student’s home language for notes, phone calls,
and scheduled meetings.
Another support for parent involvement at school is an
active GCS Parent Organization. Elected
officers serve as voting members of the School Governance Committee (GCS board) They meet
regularly with the administration to plan activities that advance the GCS mission and support
the
organization and fundraising efforts of the School. Monthly Parent Organization meetings and
school newsletters announce these activities and events and recruit parent participation.
Additionally, a parent bulletin board displays both School and neighborhood opportunities for
parents to increase their own education. These classes include positive discipline workshops,
nutrition and health seminars, adult exercise, and English−language instruction, special
education
series and Science Center classes.
GCS has collaborated with USC Rossier School of
Education’s Center on Educational Governance
to implement a formal survey tool that measures the level of parent satisfaction with School staff
and program. Results of a school−wide survey administered to parents in 2006 showed that 97%
of GCS parents agreed that the school deserved an “A” rating for overall performance,
95% of
parents agreed that their child’s teacher was “very effective”, and 95% of parents agreed
that
the School communicates its mission to students, parents and teachers.
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