4. Parental Involvement

Parental involvement is crucial to the success of SLSPA. We value parental input and feedback. Parents will be encouraged to volunteer and participate in the Parent Teacher Organization and/or serve on the Governing Board. Other volunteer opportunities will be communicated to parents through a newsletter and school website. All parents will be encouraged to provide constructive criticism and offer alternatives and/or solutions. When issues or concerns are raised, interested parents may be asked to participate in a research committee to study the issue and offer alternatives/solutions to the Governing Board for consideration. In particular, we intend to host public Parent Dialogues so that interested parents can voice concerns, make well thought-out proposals for change, and participate in other meaningful ways.

The school will provide parents the opportunity for hands-on involvement in the education of their children. Parents who may not be available to volunteer during school hours may volunteer by doing things that may be done at home, in the evenings, or on weekends.

Parents will be encouraged to volunteer in a number of ways that may include committees, fundraising, office help, field trips, classroom help, tutors, assemblies, and others. A volunteer coordinator will be recruited to oversee volunteerism. The coordinator will organize and plan volunteer schedules, track volunteer hours, and disperse volunteer schedules.

By volunteering, parents will be key in easing some of the burdens on teachers and staff. Parental involvement may also allow teachers to focus more on their teaching by relieving them of some of the everyday secondary tasks required in the classroom, and provide parents a feeling of ownership in the school and their children’s education. and develop Developing strong parent/teacher relationships that will be an effective in means of enhancing and maximizing the learning experience of every child.

Each parent will automatically be included as a member of the Parent Advisory Association that will address the needs of the school community. Members of the Parent Advisory board will potentially serve on a Board appointed task force or committee and be encouraged to attend the monthly Board meetings. At Board meetings, parents are invited to make comments and suggestions related to school policies, procedures, programs, curriculum, and other issues being discussed at the meetings.

Communication with parents is key to the school’s success. The SLSPA will be subject to all State and Federal laws regarding this issue. Parents will be welcome to visit the school or classroom any time as long as they do not cause a disturbance to that inhibits effective classroom instruction.

5. Communication with Parents

Parents of the students attending SLSPA are vital to the success and operation of the school. Part of this vital involvement will be taking part in the many opportunities to help establish new and varied ways of improving the school. Parents may serve as committee chairs, and participate in the parent organization. In addition, parents will be asked to provide feedback and suggestions through surveys. Parents who have complaints or suggestions they would like to have considered will be invited to present them in writing to the Principal, Artistic Director and/ or the governing Board. Parents will be encouraged to provide alternatives and suggestions, and may be asked to lead a special committee to research and present options.

6. Complaints

Parent complaints will be taken seriously by SLSPA. Specific complaints will be addressed according to the following guidelines:

• Individuals with complaints should initially attempt to resolve the problem by addressing the parties directly involved.
• If disagreements cannot be resolved individually, the Principal or Artistic Director may serve as mediator to resolve concerns and facilitate understanding.
• Problems that cannot be resolved with the Principal may be presented to the Governing Board for consideration. The issue should be stated in writing and should specify the prior attempts at resolution both individually and with the Principal mediator. The Governing Board will investigate the complaint and make a decision according to the student’s best interests of all parties involved. [Comment 1]