2009 PPP PEARL AWARD WINNERS
April 27, 2009
Schools applying for Pearl Awards are asked to highlight their parent involvement activities by addressing one or all of the six dimensions of parent involvement. These dimensions are:
I. Providing parenting information
II. Planning and providing parent involvement opportunities at school
III. Building school-community partnerships
IV. Communicating to parents about performance and assessment
V. Helping parents support their children’s learning
VI. Obtaining parent input on curriculum and instruction, discipline and school climate.
Winning applicants are awarded a certificate and a $200 coupon for PPP training or materials.
Crest Ridge Elementary in Johnson County R-6 was one of our finalists for the Founder’s Award. It seems only fitting to reward their efforts in Dimensions I, II and V of parent involvement. Each month, the staff at Crest Ridge presents a Family Reading Night for students and their families. Ten to 12 teachers present at each meeting for anyone from ages 2-82. Each teacher or group of teachers takes an age group and does an age appropriate reading or phonics activity. Pizza is served at each meeting and a free book is given to each child that attends each month. Along with the activities, reading and phonics literature are shared with parents along with websites and information on how to help their children become better readers. The family nights that began slowly several years ago now boast about 150 participants at each month’s meeting.
We honor Doniphan Elementary at Doniphan R-1 for their efforts in all six dimensions of parent involvement. They provide parent information through newsletters, school web pages, the School Reach automated calling system for school notices, local newspapers, conferences, open house, orientation nights, and teacher phone and written contacts. Some teachers conduct home visits. A resource center is open daily with information for parents to either check out or keep. Doniphan welcomes parent and community volunteers to work in classrooms and help with reading nights. An active PTO helps with various activities in the school. There is collaboration between Head Start, Parents as Teachers, Early Childhood Special Education and the Pre-K program. Free books are given to students at the family literacy nights, and alternative school students help with preparation for the reading nights. To gain parent input, the school conducts surveys and parents are asked to serve on several different advisory councils. A public meeting is also held annually to provide parents the opportunity to give input about various programs and issues.
Our final Pearl Award goes to Lincoln Elementary. Lincoln Elementary’s PPP team has made great strides in adding all components of family involvement to ensure student success. They provide Back to School packets with important information and events for the year ahead. Information is shared through the school website and Title I newsletters. The school PTO sponsors a Meet and Greet at the beginning of the year, and many other family nights, such as a MAP night, serve to keep parents informed and involved in the education process. Lincoln enjoys wonderful community support. Local businesses display posters with the school’s monthly character trait. The school’s supply closet is stocked with donations from organizations and individuals, and the local Chamber and school cooperate to fulfill families’ needs at Christmas. To maintain good contact with families; in addition to providing information through weekly student planners, progress reports and twice yearly conferences, Lincoln Elementary’s counselor and social worker make home visits to families who can’t make it to school. Lincoln Elementary takes their parent involvement seriously, and makes it a priority to bring families to PPP’s annual conference.
