Arkansas Indistar
School Engagement Plan


​
Accepted: This form has been reviewed and little or no revisions need to be made. Please make any suggested revisions (if needed) and go to Submissions tab to submit.
Page 1 of 1
​Please read over the updated form closely. Note the new Assurances section allows you to confirm practices that are required but do not need further elaboration. In the response fields, please include links to additional information that can help support your story as you answer the guiding questions.
​​​1: Jointly Developed Expectations and Objectives

Describe how the School works with parents and families to develop and review relevant plans, policies, and strategies related to engagement. 

Guiding Questions
  • 1.1: How does the School - in collaboration with parents - establish an engagement plan that reflects the specific academic improvement needs of the School, and that includes programs and practices that enhance engagement and address the specific engagement needs of students and their families? 
              ​          [A.C.A. § 6-15-1702(a)    ]
  • 1.2: What efforts have been made to ensure adequate representation of parents and families of  participating children in the process (Title I families)?
                        [ESSA § 1116(c)(3)]

Acorn High School recognizes that a child's education is a responsibility shared by the school and family for the duration of time a child spends in school. To support the School's goal to educate all students effectively, the school and parents must work collaboratively as knowledgeable and engaged partners in the process. Acorn High School's Parent, Family & Community Engagement Plan shall include programs and practices that enhance and enrich parental involvement and reflect the specific needs of all students and their families. Parents and families will be notified of volunteer and engagement opportunities through various mediums including the Ouachita River School District app, website, social media sites, email, phone, text messaging system, and correspondence.

Parents, families, and the community will be notified and encouraged to attend the Annual Review and Evaluation Meeting which includes the Acorn High School Parent, Family & Community Engagement Plan. The meeting will be held on May 9, 2023. The meeting may be rescheduled if the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions is necessary or may be presented and accessed in a virtual format if allowable. Acorn High School Parent-Teacher Conferences for the 2022-2023 school year are scheduled for October 27, 2022, and March 16, 2023. Additional meetings and conferences for parents and teachers may also be conducted during the school year and are scheduled at a time/manner/location mutually agreed upon by the teacher and parent(s).


2: Communication

Describe how the School will communicate with and distribute information to parents and families.

Guiding Questions
  • 2.1: How does the School distribute an informational packet appropriate for the age and grade of each child annually, ensuring to include:
            ○ description of the engagement program
            ○ recommended roles for parents, students, teacher, and the School
    ​        ○ ways for a family to get involve​d
            ○ survey regarding volunteer interest​s
            ○ schedule of activities planned throughout the school year​
    ​        ○ regular, two-way, and meaningful system for parents/teachers to communicate​
             ​               [A.C.A. § 6-15-1702(b)(3)(B)(1)​]
  • 2.2: How will the School ensure information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is provided to parents in a format and in a language that parents can understand (to the extent practicable)? ​
             ○ how is relevant information provided in a variety of ways? (For example, paper copies made
                available, as well as social media posts, website links, parent apps, etc.?
                                [ESSA § 1116(e)(5)]
  • ​2.3: How does the School offer flexible opportunities for meetings with families? 
                                [ESSA § 1116(c)(2)]

Acorn High School will utilize the following notification methods for parents, families and the community:

Ouachita River School District app notification system

Ouachita River School District website

Ouachita River School District - Acorn High School email

Ouachita River School District social media pages

Correspondence

Contact phone numbers

Acorn High School will provide copies and links to Parent/Family/Community Engagement Plan on the District website at Acorn Schools' Open House on August 18, 2022, Parent/Teacher Conferences on October 27, 2022, and March 16, 2023. A link will be posted on the District website on August 1, 2022. The engagement survey will be distributed annually and on an as-needed basis. At Open House in August and the first day of registration for any new or transfer student after the Open House date, parents/guardians will receive an Ouachita River School District informational packet. The packet includes ORSD 2022-2023 Student Handbook, ORSD 2022-2023 Calendar, Parent/Family/Community Engagement Survey for volunteer opportunities, student directory access & parent engagement in students' educational process and experience. Parent/Family/Community Engagement activities, events, and experiences are planned based on input and feedback from surveys and individual/group interviews during student registration.


3: Building Staff Capacity

Describe activities that will be used with School staff to build their capacity to work with parents as equal partners​.

Guiding Questions

3.1: How does the School build staff capacity to work with parents as equal partners? This may include workshops, conferences, trainings, webinars, and online resources that will be used to ensure ALL School staff (including teachers, specialized instructional personnel, principals, and other School leaders) are aware of:
        ○ the value and utility of contributions of parents [Title I schools]​
        ○ how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners [Title I schools]​
        ○ how to implement and coordinate parent programs and build ties between home and the School
           [Title I schools]​
        ○ how to respond to parent requests for parent and family engagement activities [Title I schools]
​        ○ that parents play an integral role in assisting student learning [all schools]​       
        ○ how to welcome parents into the School and seek parental support and assistance [all schools]       
        ○ the School’s process for resolving parent concerns as outlined in the School handbook, including how to
​           define a problem, whom to approach first, and how to develop solutions [all schools]​

               [ESSA § 1116(e)(3;14); A.C.A. § 6-15-1702(b)(5-7)]

Ouachita River School District shall provide no less than two hours of professional development opportunities for administrators every four years, which may be included in the minimum number of hours of professional development required, designed to enhance understanding of effective parent involvement strategies and the importance of administrative leadership in setting expectations and creating a climate conducive to parental participation.

ORSD shall provide no less than two hours of professional development for teachers every four years, which may be included in the minimum required hours, designed to enhance understanding of effective parental involvement strategies.

An alumni advisory board will be created to provide advice and guidance for school improvement.


4: Building Parent Capacity

Describe how the School provides opportunities to build parents’ capacity to play a role in their children’s academic success. This may include conducting workshops, conferences, classes, online resources, Academic Parent-Teacher Team meetings or providing equipment or other materials.
​
Guiding Questions 
  • 4.1: How does the School provide timely information about the following​:
            ○ a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the School
            ○ the forms of State and Local academic assessments used to measure student progress, including
               alternate assessments​
    ​        ○ the achievement levels of the challenging State academic standards students are expected
               to meet​
                       [ESSA § 1116(c)(4)(B)​]
  • 4.2: How does the School provide assistance to parents in understanding the following:
            ○ the requirements of Title I, Part A​
            ○ how to monitor their child’s progress​
            ○ how to work with educators to improve the achievement of their children.
                       [ESSA § 1116(e)(1)]
  • 4.3: What types of materials and training does the School provide to help parents work with their children to improve their children’s achievement? This may include:
            ○ literacy training       
    ​        ○ technology training, including education about copyright piracy and safe practices​
            ○ resources that describe or assist with the child’s curriculum​
            ○ other activities such as workshops, conferences, online resources like tutorials or webinars,
               and any equipment or other materials, including parent resource centers
                       [ESSA § 1116(e)(2)]
  • 4.4: Involve parents of students at all grade levels in a variety of roles, including without limitation:
            ○ involvement in the education of their children​
            ○ volunteer activities
            ○ learning activities and support classroom instruction​
            ○ participation in School decisions​
            ○ collaboration with the community​
            ○ development of School goals and priorities​
    ​        ○ evaluating the effectiveness of the School-level Improvement Plan​
                       [A.C.A. § 6-15-1702(b)(1); ADE Rules Governing Parental Involvement Section 3.03]
  • 4.5: How does the School promote and support responsible parenting? The School shall, as funds are available:​
            ○ purchase parenting books, magazines, and other informative material regarding responsible
    ​           parenting through the School library, advertise the current selection, and give parents an
    ​           opportunity to borrow the materials for review​
            ○ Create parent centers​
    ​                     [A.C.A. § 6-15-1702(b)(4)(A)​]
  • 4.6: How does the School provide instruction to parents on how to incorporate developmentally appropriate learning activities in the home environment, including without limitation:​
            ○ role play and demonstration by trained volunteers​
            ○ the use of and access to Department of Education website tools for parents
    ​           [https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov]​
    ​        ○ assistance with nutritional meal planning​
                       [A.C.A. § 6-15-1702(b)(5)(B)(ii)(a-d)]

Acorn High School and Ouachita River School District shall designate at least one certified staff member to serve as a parent facilitator to organize meaningful training for staff and parents to promote and encourage a welcoming atmosphere for parental involvement in the school and to undertake efforts to ensure that parental participation is recognized as an asset to the district. The contact person for Acorn High School is Tammy Young and can be reached at (479)394-7339.

The principal will designate an area for the Parent Resouce Center to support responsible parenting. Parenting books, magazines, education information, and other useful materials will be provided. The location of the Parent Resouce Center will be announced annually at the Title I Parent and Family Engagement Meeting and the District Public Meeting. It is now located in the library and lobby of the elementary.

Parents will receive student information and have input on Student Success Plan revisions during CAPS conferences.


5: Coordination

Describe how the School will coordinate with other organizations, businesses, and community partners, including alumni, to provide additional supports, services, and resources to families..

Guiding Questions
  • 5.1: How does the School investigate and utilize community resources in the instructional program? ​ 
                     [ADE Rules Governing Parental Involvement Section 5.06] ​
  • 5.2: How does the School coordinate and integrate programs and activities with other Federal, State, and local programs? Some examples include:​
            ○ public preschool programs such as Head Start​
            ○ organizations/activities to help students transition to elementary, middle, high, and
               postsecondary schools or careers​
            ○ wraparound services that allow families to send their children to school ready and able to focus
    ​           on learning
                      [ESSA §1116(e)(4)​]
  • 5.3: In what ways does the School enable the formation of a Parent Teacher Association or organization and ensure leaders of said organization will be included in appropriate decisions?
                     [A.C.A. § 6-15-1702(b)(8)(B)(ii)] 

The district and Acorn High School collaborate with the following school staff, community organizations, and agencies to engage, support, and inform parents, families, and students of available resources.

UA Rich Mountain

County Extension Office

Healthy Connections, Inc

Arkansas Food Bank

Realtor's Association

District Homeless Liaison

District Mental Health Providers

District Career Coach/Counselors

Arkansas Game and Fish

Local Arkansas State Parks (Queen Wilhemina and Cossatot River State Park)

Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce

Mena Regional Health System

Collaborative Planning Occurs with: Face to Face Meetings, Phone Calls, Home Visits, ORSD app, Email, School Website, Social Media, Parent Center, Newsletter, Local & Regional Media Outlets(newspaper/radio)


6: Annual Title I Meeting​ (Title I schools)

Describe the details regarding the Annual Title I meeting used to inform parents of the requirements of Title I, the School’s participation, and the parents’ rights to be involved.​
​
Guiding Questions 
  • 6.1: How and when (month/year) does the School conduct the Annual Title I meeting, ensuring that parents are informed of the following? (*Include a link to the detailed agenda, meeting minutes, and/or slide deck for this year’s Annual Title I Meeting, if available.)​
            ○ the requirements of Title I and the School’s participation​
            ○ the parents’ rights under Title I (The Right to Know Teacher Qualifications, Right to Request
    ​           Meetings)
                       [ESSA § 1116(c)(1)​]

The Annual Title I Public Meeting will be held on August 18, 2022, in the cafetorium on the Acorn Campus and in the cafetorium on the Oden Campus. The meeting will be advertised in local news media, on the district website and app, and by mail to the parents. The meeting will inform parents, families, and the community of the requirements of Title I, the school's participation, and the parent's rights to be involved. Revised and Family Engagement Plans will be available to all at the meeting.

Schools will also conduct Spring Title I meetings. The date for the planning meeting will be May 9, 2023. For additional information concerning Tiie l, please contact Kathy Medford at (479) 394-2348.

The 2022/2023 meetings may be rescheduled if necessary due to Covid-19 restrictions or may be presented virtually if allowable.


7: School-Parent Compact (Title I schools)

Describe the process School will follow to jointly develop with parents a School-Parent Compact as required under Title I, Part A.​
​
Guiding Questions 
  • 7.1: How does the School jointly develop a School-Parent Compact which does the following:​
            ○ Outlines how parents, the entire School staff, and students will share the responsibility for
               improved student academic achievement​
            ○ Addresses the importance of regular two-way, meaningful communication through:​
                    ■ conferences (no fewer than 2 each year)
                    ■ frequent reports on progress​
                    ■ reasonable access to staff
                    ■ opportunities to volunteer​
                    ■ observation of classroom activities​
                               [ESSA § 1116(d)​]
  • 7.2: How do families access the compact in order to understand the shared responsibility for improved student academic achievement?​
            ○ Including parent-teacher conferences in elementary Schools, at least annually
            ○ Include a link or insert the language of the compact to demonstrate this requirement has been
               met.​
                              [ESSA § 1116(d)(2)(A)]

Teachers and staff members will work with parents to refine the Title I Student/Teacher/Parent/Principal's Compact. The compact will outline how each stakeholder shares the responsibility for improving student academic achievement. The compact will be completed at the beginning of each year and placed on file at the school.

These will go home at the beginning of the year information packets.

The compact is reviewed, updated, and revised annually at the Title I Planning meeting.

Parents will be notified electronically through the ORSD app and district website.

Plans will be made available at P/T conferences and CAPS conferences.

Parent/Family Volunteer Surveys will be distributed annually.

The Title I Planning meeting is May 9, 2023. Parents, families, and community members are encouraged to attend. 2022/2023 meetings may require rescheduling if Covid-19 restrictions return. Meetings may be presented virtually according to Covid-19 restrictions.


8: Reservation of Funds (Title I schools)

Describe how the School uses Title I, Part A funds set-aside for parent and family engagement programs and activities.​

Guiding Questions
  • 8.1: If the School is a recipient of set aside funds for parent and family engagement (as part of receiving a Title I, Part A allocation greater than $500,000):​
            ○ How is the School spending those funds? ​
            ○ How does the School determine the priority of how funds are spent? ​
            ○ Who is involved in determining that?
                      [ESSA § 1116(a)(3)(A)] 
  • ​8.2: How does the School provide opportunities for parents and family members to be involved in providing input into how the funds are used?
                     [ESSA § 1116(a)(3)(B); ESSA § 1116(a)(3)(C); ESSA § 1116(a)(3)(D)(i-v)]     ​

Ouachita River School District receives less than $500,00 in Title I allocations.

Ouachita River School District will provide reasonable support for parental engagement requests. William Edwards, Assistant Superintendent, will be the contact person reasonable for providing reasonable parental engagement support requests and to assist parents as appropriate in understanding Title I, Part A. William Edwards can be reached at (870)326-4311.


Assurances
Please read the following statements closely. By checking these boxes, the School understands the legal requirements and will meet them accordingly.
A.1:The School understands that annually by August 1, the public School’s Engagement Plan shall be developed, or reviewed and updated.
        [ADE Rules Governing Parental Involvement Section 3.02.3]
A.2:The School understands that the following must be made available to families and the local community on the School or District website no later than August 1st:
  • The School Engagement Plan
  • A parent-friendly explanation of the School and District’s Engagement Plan
  • The informational packet
  • Contact information for the parent facilitator designated by the School.
    [A.C.A. § 6-15-1704(a); ADE Rules Governing Parental Involvement Section 3.02.4]]
A.3:The School understands that a parent-friendly summary/explanation of the Engagement Plan should be included in the current student handbook.
        [A.C.A. § 6-15-1704(a); ADE Rules Governing Parental Involvement Section 3.02]
A.4:The School understands its obligation for ensuring professional development requirements related to parent and family engagement are met and that records are maintained accordingly. (2 hours every 4 years with 2022 being a required year)
        [A.C.A. § 6-15-1703(a); A.C.A. § 6-17-709; Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts July 2020 Standard 4-G.1 Professional Development (D/C)]
A.5:The School understands its obligation to obtain signatures for each parent acknowledging receipt of the District’s Engagement Plan summary/explanation.
        [A.C.A. § 6-15-1704(a)(3)(B)]
A.6:The School Principal understands their obligation to designate and pay a licensed staff member to serve as Parent Facilitator:
  • to help organize meaningful training for staff and parents,
  • to promote and encourage a welcoming atmosphere, and
  • to undertake efforts to ensure that engagement is recognized as an asset to the School.
    [A.C.A. § 6-15-1702(c)(1)]
A.7:The School understands its obligation to encourage school staff to use volunteer surveys to compile a volunteer resource book..
        [A.C.A. § 6-15-1702(b)(6)(B)(ii)]
A.8:The School understands its obligation to conduct no fewer than two parent-teacher conferences per school year.
        [A.C.A. § 6-15-1702(b)(3)(B)(ii)]
A.9:The School understands its obligation to incorporate the Engagement Plan into the School Improvement Plan.
        [ADE Rules Governing Parental Involvement Section 3.02.2]
A.10:The School understands its obligation to schedule regular parent involvement meetings at which parents are given a report on the state of the School and an overview of:
  • what students will be learning
  • how students will be assessed
  • The informational packet
  • what a parent should expect for his or her child’s education
  • how a parent can assist and make a difference in his or her child’s education.
    [A.C.A. § 6-15-1702(b)(5)(B)(i)(a-d)]
A.11:Any School serving high school students understands its obligation to educate parents about their role in decisions affecting course selection, career planning, and preparation for postsecondary opportunities.
        [A.C.A. § 6-15-1702(b)(7)(B)(ii)]
A.12:The School understands its obligation to welcome parents into the School, and more specifically, not have any school policies or procedures that would discourage a parent from visiting the School or from visiting a child's classrooms.
        [A.C.A. § 6-15-1702(b)(6)(B)]
A.13:The School understands that all Title I, Part A funded engagement activities and strategies should remain consistent with all information set forth in this parent and family engagement plan.
        [ESSA § 1116(a)(3)(D)]
A.14:The School understands its obligation to submit to the State any comments from parents who deem the Title I Schoolwide Plan unsatisfactory. These comments can be sent to ade.engagementmatters@ade.arkansas.gov
        [ESSA § 1116(b)(4)]
A.15:The School understands its obligation, if requested by parents, to provide opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and respond to any such suggestions as soon as practicably possible.
        [ESSA § 1116(c)(4)(C)]
References
​​State
Federal
School Name: Acorn High School
School Engagement Facilitator Name: Tammy Young
Plan Revision/Submission Date: 7/21/2022
District Level Reviewer Name, Title: William T. Edwards II, Assistant Superintendent
District Level Approval Date: 7/21/2022
Committee Members, Role
(Select "Repeat" to open more entry fields to add additional team members)
First Name Last Name Role (Teacher, Staff, Parent, Student, or Community Member)
Brenda Miner Community Member(Alumni/Higher Education)
Stacey Southerland Community Member(Alumni/Education Service Cooperative)
David Young Parent/Community Member(Alumni/Business & Industry)
Steven Holland Parent/Community Member(Business/Industry)
Dotsy Falls Community Member(Alumni/Scholarship Fundraising Committee)
Kayla Davis Parent/Community Member(Alumni/Higher Education)
Committee Members, Role
(Select "Repeat" to open more entry fields to add additional team members)
First Name Last Name Role (Teacher, Staff, Parent, Student, or Community Member)
Janet Van Deest Community Member(Higher education/Health Field)
Dewayne Taylor Acorn High School Principal
Sherri Wright ORSD Academic Coach
Tammy Young Acorn High School Counselor, ORSD Career Coach, ORSD Public Relations Coordinator
Samantha Holland Acorn High School Administrative Assistant
​(Find additional guidance on the DESE Parent and Family Engagement Requirements webpage. For any questions about completing this form or meeting legal compliance, please contact the DESE Engagement Unit at ade.engagementmatters@ade.arkansas.gov or 501-371-8051.)​

District Reviewer Responses

​Section 1 - Jointly Developed
Changes Required
Compliance is Met
​Comments:

The evaluation meeting in the Spring will be a great time to organize feedback from parents throughout the district.

-​Section 2 - Communication
Changes Required
Compliance is Met
​​Comments:

Using Thrillshare will be a great way to communicate School Parent and Family Engagement Events.

​​Section 3 - Building Staff Capacity
Changes Required
Compliance is Met
​​Comments:

Share successful School Parent and Family Engagement professional development with fellow engagement facilitators.

​​Section 4 - Building Parent Capacity
Changes Required
Compliance is Met
​​Comments:

Thank you for focusing on helping our parents. Let's make sure the parent resource centers are up to date.

​Section 5 - Coordination
Changes Required
Compliance is Met
​​Comments:

We are fortunate to have this many school partners. Let's make sure we celebrate the partnerships on social media.

Section 6 - Annual Title I Meeting
Changes Required
Compliance is Met
​​Comments:
​Section 7 - School-Parent Compact
Changes Required
Compliance is Met
​​Comments:
​Section 8 - Reservation of Funds
Changes Required
Compliance is Met
​​Comments:
Accepted: This form has been reviewed and little or no revisions need to be made. Please make any suggested revisions (if needed) and go to Submissions tab to submit.