POLICY COMMITTEE Thursday November 21, 2013 100 King Street West, 6th Floor, Room E 6:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order T. White 2. Approval of the Agenda ENGAGEMENT 3. Parent Engagement Policy – initial draft, seeking approval for consultation 4. Community Engagement Policy – initial draft, seeking approval for consultation FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION 5. Transportation Policy – Scoping document (major review) 6. Boundary Review Policy and Directive – initial draft – seeking approval for consultation Additional Matters Requiring Attention 7. Naming/Renaming a School Policy – feedback and discussion 8. Future Agenda Items • Trustee Expense Policy • Harassment Policy • Safe School Pillar Policy 9. Next Policy Meeting: TBD 10. Adjournment 3-1 POLICY COMMITTEE Title: Parent Engagement Pillar Policy: Engagement Recommended Action: Issue Identification That the Draft Parent Engagement Policy be approved for consultation. Scoping Report Draft Policy Development Background: Stakeholder Consultation The Engagement Pillar Policy was developed to support the following policies: • Student engagement Draft Policy Revisions • Parent engagement and Approval • Community engagement • Staff engagement In May, 2013 the Parent Engagement Scoping document Policy Directive and Implementation was approved by Trustees. This document, and input collected from HWDSB Parent Involvement Committee, was utilized to develop the attached DRAFT Parent Engagement Policy. This document has also been Policy Evaluation and informed by the Ministry of Education, Parents in Review Partnership: A Parent Engagement Policy for Ontario Schools document and the 2013 Ministry of Education School Effectiveness Framework document. Ministry Mandated Connected to the Draft Parent Engagement Policy is Policy Policy 7.11 School Council which staff will recommend to revoke once the Parent Engagement Policy is approved. Revoking a Policy 3-2 Policy No. TBA Parent Engagement Date Approved: Projected Review Date: PURPOSE: Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) believes in ensuring high levels of parent participation, involvement and engagement contributing to student achievement and well-being. GUIDING PRINCIPLES: • Parents are welcomed, encouraged, respected, recognized and valued as partners in their children’s learning and development. • Parents are engaged through different ways that reflect our diverse community, in their child’s school and education. • Parents are supported in their role at each stage of their child’s life including contributing to their children’s learning at home and school. • Parents are assets whose contributions are recognized and celebrated. • Parents are encouraged to share their perspective and voice at the classroom, school and system level. • Interactions with parents are guided by the Hamilton Parent Charter including the right to: o respect; o information; o be heard; o assistance; o be involved; o safety and security and o appeal. • Parents are encouraged to have their perspective and voice heard through formal structures such as Parent Involvement Committee, Special Education Advisory Committee, School Councils and Home and School. INTENDED OUTCOMES: HWDSB and all its schools will: • Ensure varied opportunities for parents to give input about their children, the school and the system, within safe, accepting, inclusive and healthy learning environments. Policy No.: TBA Page 1 3-3 • Endeavour to identify and remove barriers to engagement by ensuring equity of opportunity and access by providing parents with access to information about their children’s education when they need it and in a format that meets their needs. • Provide learning opportunities, resources and supports to help parents and families support student learning. • Support parents to acquire the skills and tools they need to fully engage in their children’s education and the life of their school. • Review and expand communication and outreach strategies to share information and strategies related to supporting learning at home and parent engagement in schools. • The Parent Involvement Committee, Special Education Advisory Committee, School Councils and Home and Schools have a meaningful role in supporting learning, well-being and achievement for students. RESPONSIBILITY: Director of Education Members of Executive Council TERMINOLOGY: Parent: The use of the term “parent” is intended to be inclusive and representative of parents, guardians and caregivers. Parent Engagement: The way parents are involved through processes that promote effective parenting. This includes helping students with their learning; supporting parents in advocating for their child; encouraging parents to be on school councils, home and school associations, committees (school and board); providing feedback through consultations; promoting communication and meetings with teachers; and encouraging parents to volunteer in the classroom or on school trips. ACTION REQUIRED: Utilizing the Ministry of Education parent engagement framework of four strategies, Board and school staff will work with current and future parents of HWDSB students to ensure they are engaged and understand their role in their child’s education. The four strategies include: • school climate • eliminating barriers • supports for parents • parent outreach. Policy No.: TBA Page 2 3-4 PROGRESS INDICATORS: Intended Outcome Assessment Ensure varied opportunities for parents to give Parent Voice Survey input about their children, the school and the Positive School Climate Survey system, within safe, accepting, inclusive and HWDSB Consultation Data healthy learning environments. Endeavour to identify and remove barriers to Parent Voice Survey engagement by ensuring equity of opportunity and access, provide parents with access to information about their children’s education when they need it and in a format that meets their needs. Provide learning opportunities, resources and Parent Voice Survey supports to help parents and families support student learning. Support parents to acquire the skills and tools Parent Voice Survey they need to fully engage in their children’s education and the life of their school. Review and expand communication and Parent Voice Survey outreach strategies to share information and strategies related to supporting learning at home and parent engagement in schools The Parent Involvement Committee, Special Focus Groups Education Advisory Committee, School School Council Annual Report to the Councils and Home and Schools have a Community meaningful role in supporting learning, well- being and achievement for students. REFERENCES: Government Documents Ministry of Education Parent Engagement Policy Regulation 330/10: School Councils and Parent Involvement Committees Regulation 612/00: School Councils Regulation 613/00: Operation of Schools Education Act HWDSB Strategic Directions Achievement Matters Engagement Matters Equity Matters HWDSB Policies Engagement Pillar Naming/Renaming a School in Whole or in Part Policy No.: TBA Page 3 3-5 Public Consultation Fundraising Pupil Accommodation Review Volunteer Participation in Board Activities Educational Excursions Other Documents City of Hamilton/Best Start Network Parent Charter (Endorsed by Trustees in 2012) Policy No.: TBA Page 4 3-6 3-7 3-8 3-9 3-10 PARENT ENGAGEMENT Policy Committee Communications Plan Prepared By: Mark Taylor Date Prepared: November 21, 2013 Superintendent: Sharon Stephanian Department: Leadership & Learning Policy Statement Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) believes in ensuring high levels of parent participation, involvement and engagement contributing to student achievement and well-being. Communications Strategy To inform various stakeholders that the 30 day consultation period has begun and now is their opportunity to provide comments and feedback on the Parent Engagement Policy. Target Audience Group Classification Internal Contact Information Trustees Executive Council Parent Involvement Committee Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) School Councils Home & School Association French Immersion Advisory Committee Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee Parenting and Family Literacy Centres External Association for Bright Children of Ontario - [email protected] Hamilton Ainslie Wood/Westdale Community [email protected] Association of Resident Homeowners Inc. Allison Park Community Association [email protected] Ancaster Community Council [email protected] Beasley Neighbourhood Association [email protected] Berrisfield Community Council [email protected] Bonnington, Buchanan, Mohawk, Southam [email protected] Neighbourhood Association Canadian Parents for French [email protected] Central Neighbourhood Association [email protected] Corktown Neighbourhood Association [email protected] Crown Point Community Planning Team [email protected] Delta West Community Association [email protected] Dundas Community Council [email protected] 3-11 Durand Neighbourhood Association [email protected] Eastmount Community Council [email protected] Eleanor Community Council [email protected] Flamborough Community Council [email protected] Fruitland Road Community Association for [email protected] Safe and Healthy Neighbourhoods Gilkson Park Community Association [email protected] Gourley Park Community Association [email protected] Hamilton Beach Community Council "[email protected] [email protected]" Hamilton Best Start [email protected] Hamilton East