Parents
Links to Parent-Based Sites
Student/Family Handbook
Bus Policy
Excused Absence Form
Excused Tardy Form
Uniform Complaint Policy
School-Site Meeting Schedule
Last/Next Parent Meeting Agenda
Partnership with parents is the final design element proven to be essential for successful student outcomes. Orientation for new families will be held in late spring to prepare for the coming school year. Parents and guardians will receive a written description of the OAHS program, including WASC accreditation status, and the transferability of credits to neighboring public schools. OAHS teachers will conduct home visits with the families of students in their advisories twice a year, once in August/September, and once in January/February. An analysis of the student’s proficiency on grade level standards will be shared with the parent/guardian and a personal learning plan will be created to help each student rise to a proficient or advanced level. As part of the personal learning plan, an agreement will be created between the family and the school in which parents, student and advisor share their expectations and commitments to support the student’s success.
Parents will be encouraged to participate in the daily life of the school, and to affirm the educational aspirations of their children. Parents will participate on the governing board, on state and federally mandated committees such as the school site council and the English language advisory committee. Each teacher will have at least two parent leaders to support their advisory. These Parent Leaders will form a Parent Leadership Team that will advise the Governing Board and the Principal of the charter. Parents, principal, teachers and support staff will receive leadership training from Oakland Community Organizations, an affiliate of People Improving Communities through Organizing (PICO) and will work to build a relational culture in the school through the practice of “one to one” visits: ongoing intentional conversations for the purpose of building a culture of trust and respect. The Life Guidelines and Life skills will be shared and practiced by all adults in the school, including parents and guardians. Exhibitions of student work will be held in the winter and late spring. Parents will participate on graduation committees that will evaluate student portfolios and presentations.
OAHS promotes a parent participation program because it views parents as integral partners, not just volunteers. Parents are encouraged to express their concerns, to visit our school and meet with the staff. To this end, the Charter School shall annually distribute parent surveys to all parents requesting them to give their opinions on the progress of their child and encouraging them to express suggestions of how the school might improve its services. The responses shall be returned to the school and reviewed with faculty and administration in order to address any concerns. Parents are asked to dedicate at least 30 hours per year of participation to benefit the Charter School. To encourage additional parent involvement, the Charter School shall at a minimum do the following:
- Develop an on going list of extensive participation opportunities for parents.
- Offer extra curricular activities for both student and parent/family participation.
No student will be denied enrollment nor dis-enrolled for a failure of the parent or guardian to dedicate thirty (30) hours of participation to the Charter School. However, in all cases, to give the student the maximum opportunity to succeed, the Charter School will work with parent/guardians to consider all possible opportunities for parent involvement. OACS may establish other advisory committees to the Charter School Board, such as an English Language Advisory Council (ELAC) and school site council as appropriate.