Hephzibah High
School
Parent and Family Engagement Policy and Plan for Shared Student Success

2018–2019 School Year

Dr. Larina Thomas, Principal
4558 Brotherville Road Hephzibah, GA 30815 (706) 592-3975 

https://www.rcboe.org/hhs

Revised May 17, 2018

What is Title I?
Hephzibah High is identified as a Title I school as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Title I is designed to support
State and local school reform efforts tied to the challenging State academic standards to
improve teaching and learning for students. Title I programs must be based on effective means of improving student achievement and
include strategies to support family engagement All Title I schools must jointly
develop with parents and family members a written parent and family engagement
policy.

School Plan for Shared
Student Achievement

What is it?
This is a plan that describes how Hephzibah High will provide
opportunities to improve family engagement to support student learning. Hephzibah High values the contributions and involvement of parents and family members to establish an equal partnership for the common goal of improving student achievement. This plan describes the different ways that
Hephzibah High will support family engagement and how parents can help plan
and participate in activities and events to promote student learning at school and at home.

How is it revised?
Hephzibah High School invited all parents to attend our annual School Forum last spring to review and
revise this parent and family engagement policy, as well as the school wide plan, our school-parent compact, and the family engagement budget. Additionally, parent input and comments regarding this plan are welcome during the school year through an online form. The plan is posted on our school website for parents to view and submit feedback throughout the year. All parent feedback received during the year will be used to revise the plan for the next school year. We also distribute an annual survey online and by mail to ask parents for their suggestions on the plan and the use of funds for family engagement. Parents and family members can also give feedback during several parent meetings and activities during the school year including our annual Community Cares event.

Who is it for?
All students participating in the Title I, Part A program, and their families are encouraged and invited to
fully participate in the opportunities described in this plan. Hephzibah High will provide full opportunity for the participation of parents and family members with limited English, with disabilities, and of migratory children.

Where is it available?
The plan will also be posted on the school website and social media. Parents can also retrieve a copy of
the plan in the Parent Resource Center.

2018–19 District Goals
By the end of the 17-18 school year, the
percentage of students performing on grade level in reading and math will increase from 40% to 50%.

2018–19 School Goals
To increase the graduation rate (3% points per year) To increase the school’s CCRPI Target by 3% annually (increase by 6 points per year with the end goal being a score of 60…… average of 13%) By the To increase the percentage of students scoring Proficient or above in Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies (3% points per year)

School-Parent Compacts As part of this plan, Hephzibah High and our families will develop a school-parent compact, which
is an agreement that parents, teachers, and students will develop that explains how parents and teachers will work together to make sure all our students reach grade-level standards. The compacts will be reviewed and updated annually based on feedback from parents, students, and teachers during the
Community Cares event and the School Forum. The
school-parent compacts also are shared with parents during
parent-teacher conferences and
kept with each child’s
teacher if parents need another copy.

Let’s Get Together!
Hephzibah High will host the following events to build the capacity for strong family engagement to support a partnership among the school, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement. Meetings will be held at various times to accommodate the busy schedules of today’s family.

Open House – August, 2018
Meet your child’s teacher and our friendly and helpful school staff for the year.

Progress Report Night – each nine weeks
Get your child’s progress report and see what is going on in class.

Annual Title I Meeting – September 24, 2018
We invite you to an evening of learning and sharing about our Title I program, including our parent
and family engagement policy, the school wide plan, the school-parent compacts, and parents’ requirements.
Invitations will be emailed and posted in the school newsletter, social media, and local media.

Community Cares Fair – October 20, 2018
Connect with the school and community to build a better school and review school plans

Parent Volunteer Training – Each Friday.
Come and receive training on how to become a volunteer in your child’s school.

Parent Literacy Night – TBA
Learn how to make math fun at home.

Parent Portal Support - Monthly
Parents will enjoy hearing the latest writing samples and curriculum updates.

Parent-Teacher and Student Conferences – by appointment
Scheduled updates on your child’s progress.

Taste of Hephzibah – February 27. 2019 
Sample a little bite from the different areas of your child’s academics.

Technology Talk   – March 22, 2019
Catch up with the latest resources to help support your child’s learning.

Lunch n Learn – Active Parenting Sessions- Monthly
Gain knowledge about topics relevant to your child’s education.

School Forum – May 17, 2019
A forum for parents and family members to participate in roundtable discussions with the principal and staff regarding the school wide plan, parent and family engagement policy, school-parent compacts, and the family engagement budget.

Parent Resource Center
Come visit the Parent Resource Center to check out books, study materials, and activities to use at home with your child. Computers are available for parents to explore the Parent Portal and educational resources.
Monday – Thursday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Parent and Family Engagement Hephzibah High believes that family engagement means the participation of parents and family members in regular two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including ensuring:

	That parents play an integral role in assisting
their child’s learning.

	That parents are encouraged to be actively
involved in their child’s education at school.

	That parents are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child.

Hephzibah High is committed to helping our parents and families attend the family
activities listed in this policy. Please call or email us if you need
to participate in our programs.

Mr. Daniel Walden
(706) 592-2089 or
Waldenda@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us

Hephzibah High is Branching Out!

Hephzibah High will take the following measures to promote and support parents and family members as an important foundation of the school in order to strengthen the school and reach our school goals. We will:

ü 	Ensure that all information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is published in both English and Spanish, posted on the school website, and included in the monthly school newsletter for all families.

ü 	Provide monthly trainings for staff during their planning periods on strategies to improve communication with parents and ideas to increase family engagement with reading and math activities for our students outside of the classroom. Staff will also share best practices during regularly scheduled faculty meetings.

ü Partner with early childhood programs, middle and high schools, college and career ready resources or organizations, parent resource centers, or other programs (as applicable) to help prepare parents and their children for successful school transitioning.

ü 	Share information in English and Spanish on the school website and in the school newsletter for parents to understand the school’s academic standards and assessments as well as the ways parents can monitor their child’s progress and work with educators.

ü 	Communicate with all families and the community on a regular basis regarding school wide events and activities, through phone messages, social media, and flyers.

ü 	Work with our parents to develop relevant trainings and helpful presentations to educate our staff on the importance of parent and family engagement and how to support student learning.

ü 	Provide necessary materials and handouts for parents at conferences, meetings, and activities to
help parents work with their child to improve their child’s achievement.

ü 	Use our Partners in Education and School-Community Team to improve awareness of the activities and events listed in the school parent and family engagement policy.

ü 	Offer literacy and computer classes for parents and family members to help further enhance their various educational levels.

ü 	Collect feedback from parents and family members at all events, place input card around the building and a post suggestion form on the school website in order to respond to parents’ requests for additional support for parent and family engagement activities.

Parent and Family
Engagement Standards Hephzibah High and our parents have adopted the National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships as the school’s model in engaging parents, students, and the community. These standards are:

1.	Welcoming All Families
2.	Communicating Effectively
3.	Supporting Student Success
4.	Speaking Up for Every Child
5.	Sharing Power
6.	Collaborating with Community

School Community Team Hephzibah High invites all parents to join the School Community Team to share ideas and ways to involve
other parents and family members to build partnerships
with school, families, and the community. The team will meet four times during the school year, but parents and family members can also submit their ideas or suggestions at any school activities and meetings, as well as through our parent surveys and website. If you would like to learn more about the School Community Team, please contact the Mr. Daniel Walden at (706) 592-2089 or complete the interest form and leave it in the Main Office.

School Community Team

o Yes, I am interested and wish to join the HHS School Community Team.
o Please contact me so I can learn more in joining the HMS School Community
Team.
o Please send me notifications about future meetings and updates.

Name:  	

Child’s Name and Grade:

Address:   	 Phone Number:  	

Share Your Thoughts
We want to hear from you. If you have any suggestions or if there is any part of this policy that you feel is not satisfactory with the students’ and the school’s goals for academic achievement, please provide us with your comments in the space provided and leave this form in the Main Office:

Name: (optional) 	 Telephone Number: (optional)