Colbert Elementary School Title I Newsletter Fall~Winter 2011-2012 What is Title I?

Colbert Elementary School
Title I Newsletter Fall~Winter 2011-2012
What is Title I?
Title I is a federal program that provides
funding to schools to improve student
learning.
Schools in which 35% or more of
students are from low-income families
may receive Title I funding. Last year,
59% of Colbert Elementary students
qualified for the free and reduced meal
program. We are now in the process of
collecting applications and updating our
numbers for the 2011-12 school year.
Highly Qualified Teachers
This is the term No Child Left Behind
(NCLB )/ Elementary and Secondary
Education Assistance Act (ESEA) uses for
a teacher who proves that he or she knows
the subjects he/she is teaching, has a
college degree, and is state certified.
NCLB/ESEA requires that your child be
taught by a Highly Qualified Teacher in
core academic subjects.
100% of teachers at Colbert
Elementary School are Highly
Qualified!
Parent Involvement Policy &
School-Parent Compact
Parent Involvement is an ESSENTIAL
component of Title I. Thirty years of
research has shown that students whose
parents are actively involved have:
 higher achievement in reading
 better attendance
 positive attitudes toward school
 better behavior
 higher test scores
 higher graduation rates
Fall Title I Annual Meeting:
Thank you for attending the Fall Title I Meeting.
We appreciate the opportunity to discuss items
budgeted out of Title I funds for 2011-2012. We
welcome your input and look forward to working
together again this year.
Title I Schools must develop a
written policy describing how the school
will support the important role of parents in
their child’s learning.
We are now in the process of
updating and revising our Title I / School
Improvement Plan. Your input and
suggestions about our Title I Plan and ways
to improve student learning are welcomed.
We use parental feedback to set goals and
make improvements, as well as determine
budgetary needs to increase student
achievement.
The student-parent compact
(Madison County Home/School Agreement)
that you received and signed with back to
school information is considered very
important. It outlines how parents, the Title
I school staff, and students will share the
responsibility for improved student
academic achievement and the way in which
the school and parents will build and
develop a partnership to help children
achieve Georgia’s high standards.
Colbert Elementary School
wants YOU to be involved!
Opportunities for active parent participation:








Open House
PTO Executive Council
Volunteer/Mentor programs
Annual Title I fall and spring meetings
School and grade level events
Parent teacher conferences
Student Support Team Meetings
School Council Meetings
Please check our
website for the
dates and times of
upcoming events!
Parents’ Checklist


Be
the and
lookout
thechild’s
Gator agenda
Gazettedaily.
& monthly calendar.
 on
Read
signfor
your
Georgia
Parental
Information
Resource
Center:
www.georgiapirc.net
 Check over assigned work and discuss papers
sent home.








Set aside a time for your child to read daily.
Create a quiet work space for your child to study.
Ask your child what they have learned and if they need your help with
assignments.
Check your child’s grades on Infinite Campus Parent Portal
https://campus.madison.k12.ga.us/campus/portal/madison.jsp
Attend school events or meetings involving your child’s learning. You
are the most important member in the team!
Stay in communication with your child’s teachers.
Discover your child’s strengths and offer daily praise.
Insist that your child attends school daily and stays in school.
Parent Resources:




Colbert Elementary School has a Parent Resource Center, located in the Mrs.
Perry’s office.
Colbert Elementary School web page: www.madison.k12.ga.us/colbert
Madison County School District web page: www.madison.k12.ga.us
Be on the lookout for the Colbert Newsletter & monthly calendar.
Georgia Parental Information Resource Center: www.georgiapirc.net
How have Title I funds been spent at Colbert Elementary School this year?
Based on your feedback, we continue to make the reduction of class sizes a
priority at Colbert Elementary. The bulk of funds ($140,895) were
designated for the purpose of adding a 4th and 5th grade teacher and for a
half-time specials science position.
The remaining funds purchased VMath for all students and Study Island for
Cougar Club use.
Another priority is updating our technology. We now have a smart board in
every classroom except for speech classes and pre-K special education.