Parent Involvement Policy

Sky Mountain Charter School

SMCS Mission Statement

We believe in educating each of our students for the 21^st century by providing individualized learning opportunities that incorporate parental participation, choice and involvement in curricula offered in personalized learning environments.

SMCS is not a Federal Title 1 School

SMCS is not a “Title 1 school”, therefore does not have an official federally compliant parent involvement policy.  But SMCS believes strongly, emphasized in our mission statement, that parental participation is a key component in our charter school.  The following are ways we encourage all of our parents to be involved with us in educating their students.

Parent Participation Opportunities

A. If enrollment at SMCS is chosen for their children, the parents will:

• Understand that attendance at this charter school is entirely voluntary on the part of the students who enroll.
• Participate with the credentialed teacher in the development of the student’s educational plan, initially and on an ongoing basis.
• Supervise the student’s daily work (unless and AESS contract is signed) while following the student’s educational plan as the student is working on assignments.
• Select appropriate curriculum, other educational materials, cp courses and activities in consultation with the Education Specialists.
• Meet face to face with their Education Specialists at least once every 20 school days to review and document attendance and the student learning that occurs during that learning period.
• Transport their student to each school or state mandated assessment location.
• Under the direction of the credentialed teacher, will assume responsibility for supplied school owned books, materials, supplies, and equipment, will return them to the school when work is completed, or the student disenrolls from the school, and will reimburse the school for lost or willfully damaged items.

B. We encourage all parents of enrolled students to apply for open positions on the 19 member SMCS Parent Council. The Role of the Parent Council is to:

• Uphold the mission of school

• Develop/approve short and long term goals

• Monitor school’s performance and review financial reports

• Monitor council’s performance

• Be involved in the WASC accreditation process

• Serve for a one or two year term, as long as their children remain enrolled at SMCS

• Plan to attend all council meetings, in person or by phone conference

• Make suggestions to improve the school

• Establish and/or chair parent sub-committees for a variety of purposes, such as graduation planning, developing a school yearbook, planning group educational activities, grant application, volunteer coordination, etc.

• Be true to school's mission, not a personal agenda

• Be positive!

C. All parents with children enrolled in SMCS have the opportunity to volunteer their time to a Parent Council sub-committee to plan educational school events and activities.

D. From time to time parent training opportunities may be available for SMCS parents.