FAMILY-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP
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Committee Meeting Minutes, 02/01/00
Present: Don Berger, Head of School; Dr. Leroy Walker,
School Board member; Bob Roth, Parent; Dorothy Rosenbaum, Parent.
Meeting called to order by chairperson, Don Berger at 4:45 p.m.
Don began the meeting by introducing and welcoming Dr. Walker and
explaining the absence of the rest of the committee.
He presented an implementation plan for Policy Goal 1:
Cary Academy will promote an active partnership among families,
faculty, and administration to facilitate understanding and
support of the school's mission, to support each student's well
being, and to enhance school pride and community spirit.
Mr. Berger presented the action plan the long range planning
committee developed to the committee.
Before discussion of the implementation plan, the committee
began to examine the draft of the Cary Academy Family-School
Partnership Expectations. This draft had been placed on the school
website for comments from the community. Mr. Berger said he had
not yet received any comments. Parents shared that they have
received positive comments but that concerns have been expressed
regarding implementation. "On paper it looks great, but they
would like to understand the process of implementation."
After discussion, Dr. Walker shared his experiences. He feels that
a mission (goal, statement) is successful if it is accepted and
valued by all participants. He always taught his teams that this
valuing was demonstrated by the three B's - the team members'
willingness to believe, behave, and belong. He challenged the
committee to word the document in ways that would incorporate
these principles. The community should believe in the mission and
goals of the statement, behave in accordance with the statement,
and actively participate in the community.
During the remainder of the meeting the committee applied this
goal to each item in the Family-School Partnership Expectations to
clarify and identify measurable outcomes, especially action items,
for each statement.
Parents Working with Cary Academy:
- Parents recognize that effective partnerships
require a shared commitment to collaboration, open lines of
communication, understanding each other's views, and mutual
respect.
Discussion included trying to define open lines of
communication, collaboration, and mutual respect. What are the
communication pathways? Can we clearly identify them? What
does mutual respect mean? For example, is mutual respect a
commitment that, when requested, either the family or school
will respond within a certain amount of time? That BOTH SIDES
will be heard and taken into consideration before action
occurs? Maybe a "bill of rights" type document could
define mutual respect.
- In selecting Cary Academy, parents seek an
optimal match for the needs of the student, their own
expectations, and the philosophy and programs of the school.
Discussion included the need to communicate what the parents
expect from Cary Academy, and what Cary Academy does and does
not offer. One suggestion was an additional paper in the
admissions packet that defined what CA is, (college prep,
using technology to increase learning, humanities focus,
language requirement, amount of time for homework) and what it
is not (all students will not get 1600 on their SATs, there is
not a Latin curriculum, no football etc.)
- Parents seek and value the school's
perspective on the student.
Discussion led to reword this to "Parents will seek the
professional educators' perspective on the student, listen to,
and value their insights."
- Parents and Cary Academy communicate candidly
and honestly.
Again, this could be listed in a "bill of rights"
document. Parents are expected to communicate candidly and
honestly, with the right to expect the same from Cary Academy.
- Parents involve themselves...
Discussion of developing a list of examples of action items
that demonstrate active participation and sharing.
- Parents are familiar with and support...
Discussion of the preparation of a parent handbook similar to
the student handbook.
- When concerns arise, parents....
Discussion of the pathways of communication. Discussion of
recognizing and satisfying the parents' desire to have a
greater role in decision making in the community. Where can
they express their concerns if they are not satisfied with the
normal pathways? What is their next option?
- Parents share with the school...
Discussion of an optional form given to parents before the
student begins at Cary Academy that would list information
that is important to best meet the need of the student
(Religious restrictions or celebrations, dietary, health,
etc.).
- Parents will alert..
Discussion of the importance of this and that both sides will
act immediately.
- Parents provide...
Parent handbook could include suggestions regarding study
skills, study areas at home, computer resources, time
management, stress management, etc. The school could offer
programs on these topics for parents.
Cary Academy Working with Parents:
- Cary Academy recognizes that...
Communication guidelines for school personnel could be
published and distributed to parents. For example, e-mail or
phone calls from parents should be returned within 24 hours,
teacher or other staff refusal to meet with a parent or child
is unacceptable, appropriate communication channels are...
Need to inform parents of administrative policies in this
area. Dot expressed the concern of the parent population in
general who feel they have no role in decision making at the
school. Parents are confused about how to have their voice
heard. Mr.Berger stated that in an Independent School parents
having a concern should start at the source and go up the
chain from there. Mr.. Berger also stated that the purpose of
the Alliance is to develop support for the educational and
financial advancement of CA but not is not a forum for parents
to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with school
programs, policies or personnel. These concerns should be
directed to the appropriate school employee and raised in the
variety of open parent meetings the school currently runs and
will add in the near future. The parents expressed the need
for clarification of collaboration. Do they act as an integral
member of the community at large or is it only collaboration
in regard to their own student? This needs to be expressed
more clearly. This is a growing concern for parents. Where is
their voice in the school if they have a voice?
- CA clearly and fully...
Again, the role of the parent in the collaboration aspect of
CA needs to be clarified.
- Educators at CA seek...
Value parents' viewpoints. Need clarification of policies to
facilitate this.
- Teachers and administrators are accessible...
Parents are entitled to a timely response from faculty and
staff including a face-to-face meeting if requested.
- Cary Academy suggests...
See item 5 under "Parents Working with CA" above
Don expressed concern about the lateness of the hour and that
we did not have time now to go any further on the document.
There was discussion on the document being a "Working
Document" and needing "Action Points."
Don said he would present some of his changes at the next
meeting which was set for Tuesday, February 29, 2000 @ 4:30.
Beginning in April, meetings shall be the first Tuesday of the
month.
Don thanked those in attendance and adjourned the meeting at 6:10
p.m.
Dot Rosenbaum
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