Author: Debbie Dixon

Manchester High School
Parent Involvement Plan for Shared Student Success
Revised September 29, 2016

Manchester High School
405 5th Avenue North
Manchester, GA 31816
(706) 846-8445
http://meriwethermhs.weebly.com

Henry Acree
Principal
henry.acree@mcssga.org
Susan Zeigler
Assistant Principal
susan.zeigler@msccga.org
Racine Sales
Counselor
racine.sales@mcssga.org
Debbie Dixon
Parent Involvement
Coordinator
debbie.dixon@mcssga.org

What is Title I?

Manchester High School is identified as a school-wide Title I high school as a part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). This means that we receive federal funds to help all students become academically successful. Title 1 is designed to support schools in meeting challenging state academic standards and to reinforce and enhance efforts to improve teaching and learning for students.
Manchester High School parent involvement programs will be based on effective means of improving student achievement and include strategies to support parental involvement and family engagement. As a Title I school, MHS will jointly develop with all parents a written parent involvement plan. Parents, guardians, and families will have the opportunity to review the school-wide plan and provide suggestions for improvement.

How is the Parent Involvement Plan reviewed and revised?

MHS welcomes parent input and comments at any time regarding this parent involvement plan. The plan is posted on our school Web site 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 distribute an annual survey online and in writing to ask parents for their suggestions on the plan and the use of funds for parental involvement. Parents
may provide feedback during several parent meetings and activities during the school year. Parents can also offer suggestions and recommendations to the administrative team via email, phone call, in writing or in person.

MHS Plan for Shared Student Achievement

What is it?
The MHS School Plan for Shared Student Achievement is a plan that describes how Manchester High School will provide opportunities to improve parent involvement/family engagement to support and enhance student learning. MHS values the contributions and involvement of parents in order to establish an equal partnership for the common goal of improving student academic achievement. The School Plan for Shared Student Achievement describes the various ways that MHS will support parent involvement/family engagement and how parents can help plan and participate in activities and events to promote student learning at school and at home.
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. Manchester High School will provide full opportunity for the participation of parents with limited English, parents with disabilities and parents of migratory children.
Where is it available?
This plan will be distributed in multiple ways to all parents and the community. Parents may retrieve a copy of the plan by going to our school website http://meriwethermhs.weebly.com. Additionally, copies will be available at all parent meetings, in the MHS Parent Resource Center, and in the front office.

School-Family Compacts

As part of this Parent Involvement Plan, Manchester High School and our families will develop a School-Family compact.
The compact is an agreement that families, teachers, and students develop, review, and update annually that explains how parents and teachers will work together to make sure ALL students reach their academic potential and graduate from high school.
The compact is signed by parents, students, and faculty describing how each will be responsible for supporting academic learning.
The School-Family Compact remains at home to be reviewed by the student and the parent. It will be discussed throughout the school year at different family engagement programs and parent–teacher conferences.
Parents may retrieve a copy of the compact by going to our school website http://meriwethermhs.weebly.com. Additionally, copies will be available at all parent meetings, in the MHS Parent Resource Center, and in the front office.

Let’s Get Together!

Manchester High School will host the following events to build the capacity for strong parental involvement to support a partnership among the school parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement.

Fall Semester Open House
August 8
Meet your child’s teachers, get supply lists and syllabi, get lockers and parking permits.
Annual Title I Parent Meeting
September 1
Learn information about our Title I program including parent involvement plan, school-parent compact, school-wide plan, and parents’ right to know.
9th Grade Parent Meeting
September 1
Learn about state exams, promotion requirements, pathways, and ways to support your child’s learning.
Commitment to Graduate
September 21
This research-based initiative focuses on helping students prepare for the future by setting a career goal beyond high school. Come support your Freshman student as they sign a cap and gown indicating their commitment to graduate.
Teen Maze
September 22
Counselor and Community Groups set up realistic scenarios for 9th grade students to learn and gain information about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Athlete Parent Meeting
September
A Financial Aid and NCAA Clearing House workshop for interested parents of athletes.
Infinite Campus
October 20, 12:00pm, 6:00pm
Learn to access your child’s grades, attendance, and upcoming assignments via our new student information system.
10th & 11th Grade Parent Meeting
November 8
Learn about state exams, promotion requirements, pathways, and ways to support your child’s learning.
12th Grade Parent Meeting
January12
Administration and Counselor will provide information about state exams, graduation requirements, opportunities for scholarships, and senior activities.
Spring Semester Open House
January 5
Meet your child’s teachers, get supply lists and syllabi.
Spring Registration
February 6-16
Advisors work with administration, counselors, parents, and students to select Pathways and schedule classes for next year.
Underclassmen Honor’s Program
May 12, 10:00am
Awards and recognition for students in grades 9-11.
Senior Honor’s Program
May 11, 7:00pm
Awards and recognition for seniors.
Graduation Ceremony
May 19, 8:00pm
Congratulations Class of 2017!

The vision of the Meriwether County Schools is to prepare all of our students to be capable of being effective, responsible and productive members of society.

MHS Goals for
Student Achievement

Increase students’ Lexile scores
Increase the number of students scoring proficient or distinguished on the Georgia Milestones End of Course Assessments in all core subjects
Decrease the number of school discipline referrals
Increase opportunities for family engagement
Meriwether County School District Goals
Promote Excellence and Academic Achievement in all Meriwether County schools.
Improve Organizational and Operational Effectiveness in the Meriwether County School District.
Increase Parent and Community Involvement in all Meriwether County schools.
Meriwether County schools will continue to Grow a Quality Organization of highly effective faculty and staff members.
Mission
The Meriwether County Schools is committed to empowering students to aim high, achieve, graduate and succeed.
Vision
The vision of the Meriwether County Schools is to prepare all of our students to be capable of being effective, responsible and productive members of society.

MHS
School Council

Manchester High School invites all parents to attend the MHS School Council to share ideas and ways to involve other parents to build partnerships with school, families, and the community. The Council meets four times during the school year, but parents can also submit their ideas or suggestions during all activities and meetings as well as through our parent surveys and website.

MHS is Continually Improving

MHS is committed to building parent capacity in order to help all children be academically successful. To achieve this, We Will —
Ensure that all information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is available in the language of our families. Translations available upon request. Provide information to parents to help them understand the school’s academic standards & assessments.
Communicate with all families on a regular basis regarding student progress, parent workshops/trainings, and other parent programs. Multiple tools will be used to communicate with families such as phone messages, text messaging, social media, email, and flyers.
grounds. ♦ Listen and respond to parents’ requests for additional support for parent involvement & family engagement opportunities.

Work with parents to develop professional development trainings and helpful presentations to educate faculty & staff on the importance of family engagement and communication.
Provide necessary materials for parents at conferences, meetings, and activities to help parents work with their child to improve their child’s academic achievement.
Collaborate with community leaders and business groups to increase participation and awareness of the school parent involvement plan and programs/activities.
Offer parent classes to help further enhance their various educational backgrounds.
Listen and respond to parents’ requests for additional support for parent involvement and family engagement opportunities.

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.
MHS Wants YOU
Manchester County High believes that parent involvement and family engagement are important to the academic success of each child. In order to achieve this, everyone must work together. MHS will provide many opportunities for ALL to become involved.
As a parent/family what can I do?
♦ Get involved and be part of your child’s education
♦ Attend workshops to gain skills and knowledge to help your child
♦ Communicate with your child’s teachers—ask questions
♦ Be involved in the reviewing and revising of school plans
Complete the annual Title I parent survey
♦ Find out how you can participate in the decision making process
♦ Volunteer, your participation is greatly appreciated.

Parent Involvement Coordinator
Manchester High School is committed to helping our parents attend the parent involvement/family engagement programs listed in this plan.
If you have suggestions for future parent involvement activities or need additional information or support, please contact:
Debbie Dixon
(706) 846-8445
debbie.dixon@mcssga.org