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.