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Expectations for Parents
Just as we have high expectations at our students, we also have high
expectations for parents and guardians of our students. We need the strong
support of every APCS family in order to help our students learn and thrive.
Because we place such high value on parent support and cooperation, when
a child enters APCS, we ask parents and guardians to sign and return a
Parent Contract. The Parent Contract remains in force until a student
graduates or withdraws from the school.
Sample Parent Contract
At Alliance for Progress Charter School we have a special mission: to
ensure that all our children learn and thrive. To accomplish that goal,
we need the full cooperation and support of parents, families, siblings,
friends and the entire community that surrounds each child.
First, we need you to support your child’s education by ensuring
that your child attends school every day. Children can only learn if they
are present. Absences place a burden on students who want to learn, because
they make it hard for them to catch up. Children who miss many days of
school suffer by falling further and further behind.
Second, we need you to make sure that your child is in school every day
on time. We ask children to arrive at 8:15 so that the school day can
start promptly at 8:30. Children who miss the start of school miss precious
time to greet their teachers and friends, participate in morning discussion
activities and become familiar with the plan for the day. Children who
are late have a difficult time fitting in to the school routine.
Third, we need you to ask your child every day about school, to make
sure that homework gets done, and to read with your child. Demonstrate
how important you think school is by finding a quiet place in your home
where your child can complete schoolwork and read with you.
Finally, we need you to participate actively in school as a parent, to
attend all school activities, to attend observation card conferences,
assemblies and student performances, and to become an active member of
our Parent Advisory Board. Only by making your presence known as a committed
parent can you communicate to your child how much school matters for the
child, for you and for the entire family.
Please sign below and return this contract to the school office by the
start of the school year.
I will make sure that my child attends school every day.
I will make sure that my child arrives at school on time and ready to
learn.
I will read with my child, ask about school, and make sure that homework
is completed and turned in.
I will become an active APCS parent. I will attend parent meetings and
school events regularly. I realize that education is a partnership and
my child needs my support to succeed.
Signed____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian of___________________________________________
The Parent Advisory Board
At APCS we recognize that involved and
concerned parents make a school strong. As a result, we encourage all
parents and guardians to join the school’s Parent Advisory Board.
Each spring parents are invited to attend a meeting to elect officers
for the Parent Advisory Board. The officers help create school policy
and serve on the school’s Board of Trustees.
The Parent Advisory Board holds meetings and sponsors family education
and activities throughout the school year. By organizing class parents,
the PAB helps to ensure good communication between teachers and their
students’ families. The money from pretzel sales each Friday enables
the PAB to pay for children’s school t-shirts and/or sponsor a family
camping trip. Parent Advisory Board meetings are open and all parents,
grandparents and guardians are welcome to attend.
General Information
Observation Cards
Observation cards are written four times each year. Twice a year parents
are required to come to school to meet with each student’s teacher
and review the observation card. Observation cards for the other two marking
periods are sent home. Each time, we ask parents or guardians to sign
the cards and return them to school.
Although students do not receive letter grades until grade 4, teachers
write detailed comments to inform parents about their child’s academic
performance and behavior. If at any time parents would like more information,
they should feel free to contact their child’s teacher.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Twice each year, in the fall and in the spring, parents meet with teachers
to discuss their child’s performance. These parent/teacher conferences
are mandatory. The school will make every effort to accommodate parents’
or guardians’ schedules, but every parent/guardian is expected to
attend, and observation cards are only given out in the conferences.
Homework
Children in kindergarten are rarely given homework. Students in grades
1-5 are expected to do 20 minutes of reading and 20 minutes of writing
each night. We ask parents to read with their children every evening and
show interest in their school work. Children in older grades will have
additional assignments to complete, but homework should never take more
than approximately an hour to an hour and a half. If parents/guardians
observe children struggling with their homework, they should consult with
the child’s teacher.
Contacting Teachers or Staff
We encourage parents and guardians to contact teachers or the principal
when concerns arise or whenever they have something to discuss. Please
call the school office to make an appointment with the principal. We request
that parents not try to speak with teachers directly during the school
day. Please leave a message in the school office and the teacher will
call back during a break or after school.
School Trips
Periodically throughout the year, teachers will take their students on
school trips that relate to the subjects they are studying. For each trip,
students will bring home permission slips that require a parent or guardian’s
signature. These slips must be returned to school in order for children
to go on trips. Please help out your children by making sure that permission
slips are signed and returned in advance of the day the trip is scheduled.
The children enjoy their trips and will be very disappointed if they can’t
go with their classmates.
Reporting Change of Address or Phone Number
It is imperative that we be able to reach parents/guardians at all times.
If your address or phone number changes at any time during the school
year, please inform the school office immediately. Children without current
addresses and phone numbers will be not allowed to attend school.
School Notices
The school frequently sends notices home with the children. Please remember
to ask your child regularly about school notices and to check book bags
and back packs for forgotten messages. We appreciate your cooperation.
Visiting School
Parents and guardians are welcome to visit school at any time. For safety’s
sake, please come to the school office and sign in when you come into
the school building. Please speak with your child’s teacher if you
would like to sit in on your child’s class. We cannot guarantee
that a teacher will be available to speak with you unless you contact
the teacher in advance.
Testing
In the spring, each grade is given standardized tests. The results of
those tests are not available until the fall. Parents are entitled to
review their children’s test scores. If you want to discuss test
results, please contact Annette Campbell, Director of Curriculum and Instruction/Assistant
Principal.
Use of Technology
Allliance for Progress is a technology rich school. Children frequently
browse the Internet or use CD-Roms and other computer-based learning tools.
Parents should know that filters protect students from inappropriate material
on the Internet. APCS reserves the right to regulate all use of technology.
All technology that students use in school and may take home remains the
property of the school. In addition, because the Internet is a public
forum rather than a private, secure network, parents and guardians as
well as the school may be held accountable for inappropriate, abusive
or unethical behavior by students when accessing technology from the school’s
facilities.
Lost and Found
APCS maintains a lost and found. Anything found in the school or on school
grounds will be placed in the lost and found. Parents are encouraged to
look through the lost and found at parent meetings and other school functions.
At the end of the school year, all items left in the lost and found are
donated to Goodwill.
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