What
should PTO's and SIC's be doing?
PTA’s (Parent Teacher Association) and PTO’s (Parent Teacher Organization) are school support groups. They often purchase equipment or materials the district is unable to provide and help in other ways suggested by the principal. These groups should consider activities that support student learning such as volunteering to help students on an individual level.
School Improvement Councils (SIC) are required by law to be in place at each school. The council must include parents, community representatives and students when at the high school level. A majority of the council must be "non" educators. At a minimum, they develop and monitor the school's strategic plan and give an annual report to parents and community. However, they should help the principal and school leadership team in finding innovative ways to educate our children. It was the Saluda Trail Middle School SIC that pushed for and moved the district to standard dress at all our middle schools.
PTA’s (Parent Teacher Association) and PTO’s (Parent Teacher Organization) are school support groups. They often purchase equipment or materials the district is unable to provide and help in other ways suggested by the principal. These groups should consider activities that support student learning such as volunteering to help students on an individual level.
School Improvement Councils (SIC) are required by law to be in place at each school. The council must include parents, community representatives and students when at the high school level. A majority of the council must be "non" educators. At a minimum, they develop and monitor the school's strategic plan and give an annual report to parents and community. However, they should help the principal and school leadership team in finding innovative ways to educate our children. It was the Saluda Trail Middle School SIC that pushed for and moved the district to standard dress at all our middle schools.
How
are the schools utilizing parents of special need students?
There is no system in place. Schools utilize parents of students with disabilities no differently than parents of students without disabilities. The same opportunities to participate and to be included in school and classroom activities and volunteer situations are available. It could be that parents of students with disabilities are afforded increased opportunities because of increased meeting times with school personnel and often have increased communication with the school or classrooms. Many students with special needs have weekly or even daily communication between home and school included in their individualized programs.
There is no system in place. Schools utilize parents of students with disabilities no differently than parents of students without disabilities. The same opportunities to participate and to be included in school and classroom activities and volunteer situations are available. It could be that parents of students with disabilities are afforded increased opportunities because of increased meeting times with school personnel and often have increased communication with the school or classrooms. Many students with special needs have weekly or even daily communication between home and school included in their individualized programs.
The
Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department has initiated a Parent
Advisory Committee. An organizational meeting was held in
October with great success. There are plans to meet with this
core group informally during the month of December and again formally
next semester.
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