1998 PPP Pearl Award Winners
March 05, 2008
1998 PPP Pearls
Dimension I. Providing Parenting Information
Windsor Elementary provides valuable parenting information through their PPP Parent's Corner. Staff distributes information to parents on self-discipline, responsibility, homework strategies, and on home-school communication. PPP facilitators work closely with the Windsor Elementary Care Team making materials and resources available to teachers and families with special needs. Over the last two years, daytime and evening workshops have covered the topics of: effective discipline, educational activities to do with your child, child development issues, and the improvement of parenting skills.
Dimension II. Planning and Providing Parent Involvement Opportunities at School
Harrison Elementary, in the Normandy School District, provides multiple ways for parents to become involved. The parent liaison makes personal contact with parents regarding the school's children. Trained staff facilitate Practical Parenting Partnerships workshops that bolster parenting skills. Regular "Chats with the Principal" are times for discussion and collaboration. District-wide Parent Workshops, organized by building clusters, always contain an educational focus. Parent volunteers are awarded badges with school colors, promoting school pride and identifying volunteers as very important partners.
Dimension III. Building School-Community Partnerships
Truman Elementary in Rolla constructs school-community partnerships by co-sponsoring each PPP activity with a local business, community service club, or organization. The Community 2000 committee, Careworks, and local university fraternities and sororities provide free child care. Prevention Consultants frequently underwrites the cost of meals. Other financial support is given by the local Caring Communities, the Lion's Club, Rolla Junior Club, and the Association for the Education of Young Children. Through reciprocal agreements, local agencies facilitate many PPP workshops for both parents and school faculty.
Dimension IV. Communication to Parents about Performance and Assessment
The Normandy Early Childhood Center matches the preschool and kindergarten curriculum to smooth the transition of children as they attain school age. Transition meetings provide a framework for reviewing student performance and addressing individual needs. Parents conference with teachers and view student portfolios of their child's work. Students are taught self-assessment strategies. Testing results from the two previous years show gains in student language growth. The goal of increased school readiness is being accomplished.
Dimension V. Helping Parents Support Their Children's Learning
The staff at Leland O. Mills Elementary, at the School of the Osage, knows every parent is a teacher. Families enjoy attending the schools Math, Science, Literature, and Computer Nights. The school's principal covers each teachers class for twenty minutes each month, allowing teachers time to make positive telephone calls to parents regarding their child's accomplishments. Families are introduced to the wonders of school at a springtime Kindergarten Orientation. An animated search for a "live" gingerbread man commences in the kindergarten rooms and proceeds to the library, gym, art and music room where the children are briefly introduced to the treasures awaiting them in these areas. The evening concludes with gingerbread cookies and a school bus ride.
Dimension VI. Obtaining Parent Input on Curriculum and Instruction, Discipline, and School Climate
Lake Contrary Accelerated School in St. Joseph gathers substantive input as parents work side by side with school personnel on Curriculum, Discipline, Health and Safety, and Parent Involvement cadres. Parents also comprise part of the school's Steering Committee. At Lake Contrary the ideas and perceptions of parents are valued. At the district level, the St. Joseph District Parent Advisory Board helps develop programs to benefit the school and community. Having parents as an integral part of the decision making process has proven vital to promoting a school climate conducive to learning.
Overall Pearl
Site
Finally, we give special recognition to Windsor Elementary for
combining each of the aforementioned Dimensions. As an overall PPP
Pearl site, Windsor Elementary involves parents and community
organizations in meaningful ways. Parents take an active role in
the districts strategic planning and curriculum development.
Parents view teacher-led demonstrations of key learning strategies
at events such as Creepy Crawler Night and Christmas Storytelling.
Windsor Elementary has joined forces with community partners such
as the Elks Club, the YMCA/YWCA, Community 2000, the Imperial
Business Association, Six Flags, Wal-Mart and many local merchants.
The school and the entire community have profited from these
partnerships. Information packets regarding the Missouri
Performance Standards, and the MAP Assesssments, as well as sample
questions for parents to consider when conferencing with their
child's teacher have helped insure that parents are informed and
supportive of continued academic growth. Attendance at the last
parent-teacher-student conference was 99%. Care Teams, Super Parent
Calendars, and workshops sensitive to parents schedules and
concerns all assist parents as they support their child's
educational quest. Windsors's parents work on curriculum writing,
on the School Improvement Team, on budget preparation, and on
discipline committees. The diligent work of staff, parents, and
community members make Windsor Elementary a true PPP
Pearl.
