Homer-Center School District Title I Services

The Homer-Center Elementary offers Title I services to eligible students in Reading (Grades K-3). This federally funded remediation program provides supplemental instruction in small groups or through in-class assistance to students who have a need for extra attention.  This program varies slightly year to year. Title I teachers are highly qualified considering No Child Left Behind guidelines. For more information or to offer suggestions, please contact the Title I coordinator at 479-9077.

Title I Assurance Statements 

1. In the event that the Homer-Center Jr. Sr. High School or the Homer-Center Elementary School reach income levels supporting a school wide project, parents, administrators, and the instructional staff will be notified of the change(s) in eligibility status.
2. In the event that either building (Homer-Center Jr. Sr. High School or the Homer-Center Elementary) meets eligibility requirements for a school wide project, the administration, Title I Coordinator, and instructional staff (both Title I and district) will seek guidance from PDE before instituting a program(s).
3. The LEA will implement the Title I plan to assess yearly progress. The learning outcome/assessments will reflect district measures for student achievement.
4. The LEA will be specific in designing and implementing a school improvement plan in the event that the Title I Program requires this direction. The administration, Title I Coordinator, Title I staff, and district staff will coordinate a plan focused on the improvement of student achievement.
5. The LEA will abide by the statements included within its collaboration plan to meet the needs of students requiring services from other agencies.
6. The LEA will maintain timely contacts and consultations with private schools to ensure Title I services for eligible students. A form will be submitted to non-public schools requesting notification of their interest in Title I services.
7. The LEA will provide in-service training to assist the instructional staff (both Title I and district) in providing programs for educationally disadvantaged students. The LEA will review relevant research dealing with early intervention programs and assess the feasibility of said programs in accordance with district goals.
8. In the event that the LEA elects to begin a pre-school program, students will receive services in compliance with Head Start performance standards.
9. Parents may request information regarding the professional qualifications of their Title I teacher(s).

Title I Parent Involvement Policy

      Parental involvement is an integral part of the Title I Program in the Homer-Center School District. The administration and staff recognize the significance of a partnership between home and school to help children realize their fullest potential.

1. Parents will receive an informational letter notifying them of their child’s eligibility for Title I services.
2. A yearly meeting will be scheduled to provide a program overview for parents of participating children.
3. Parents will have an opportunity to select areas of interest for workshops via a survey. The survey will be distributed each year. The results will be used to develop effective workshops.
4. Parents will have an opportunity to participate in yearly Parent Involvement Workshops designed to provide suggestions for home involvement activities to enhance student progress and foster a love of reading.
5. Parents will receive a progress report four times throughout the school year, coinciding with each nine week grading period.
6. Parents will have as opportunity to meet with Title I staff during meetings and Conferences. Conferences will coincide with the district schedule (typically in October and February).
7. Timely information will be shared via telephone calls, letters, email and the school website.
8. The effectiveness of parent involvement activities will be evaluated via a brief parent survey.
9. The Title I staff will contact parents on an “as needed” basis to discuss student progress and provide suggestions for home involvement activities.
10. The Title I staff may elect to publish a newsletter several times throughout the year.

The Homer-Center School District Title I School-Parent Compact

The Homer-Center Elementary School Title I Department services students in Kindergarten through Third Grade. This School-Parent Compact outlines how the school, parents/guardians and the students themselves will contribute to the shared learning in improving the academic achievement of the students involved. This compact will help foster a partnership that will enable our students to attain the Standards set by our state.

School:
The Homer-Center Elementary School will provide a high quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive, effective learning environment enabling success for every student, and

1. Will treat every child with dignity and respect.
2. Strive to address the individual needs of each student.
3. Acknowledge parents as vital to the success of the school, its programs and our students.
4. Provide a safe, positive and healthy environment in which each child can feel secure.
5. Communicate clear expectations for performance to both students and parents.
6. Hold bi-annual parent-teacher conferences to discuss student performance.
7. Encourage parental participation in the decisions relating to the education of their children, as well as provide parents reasonable access to staff by means of telephone, email or meetings.
8. Provide parents with effective and frequent reports on their child’s progress. Assessment information may be on-going and include the following: Homer-Center Title I Assessments, DIBELS data, and various classroom assessments.

Parent/Family
As a parent, I will support my child’s learning and will work cooperatively with the school. I understand that my participation in my child’s education will help improve his/her attitude and development. I will support the Homer-Center Elementary School by:

1. Creating a home atmosphere that encourages reading activities.
2. Sending by child to school regularly and on time.
3. Encouraging the completion of homework and will take an interest in all work brought home.
4. Attending school functions such as: Back-to-School Night, Parent-Teacher Conferences, and the Title I Parent Involvement Program and Yearly Parent Meeting.
5. Encouraging my child to show respect for school faculty and staff, classmates and property- and will model like behavior.
6. Participating in decisions relating to my child’s education.

Student
As a student, I understand that my education is important. I know that I am in charge of my own success. I agree to actively participate in my own education by:

1. Arriving at school on time every day ready to learn.
2. Maintaining a positive attitude about my schoolwork.
3. Completing my homework on time on a regular basis.
4. Reading at home to and with my family.
5. Being a cooperative learner.
6. Asking for help when I need it.
7. Giving my parent or guardian all school-related information I receive each day when I get home from school.
8. Being respectful to school personnel, other students and school property.
9. Respecting myself and being responsible for my own behavior.

LEA and Targeted Assistance School Assurances

1. The Title I resources will be used to help participating students identified through multiple criteria indicators.
2. The Title I and district staff will implement teaching strategies and approaches focusing on the improvement of student learning outcomes.
3. The Title I and district staff will coordinate their efforts to provide a curriculum meeting the needs of participating students. The in-class model will be initiated as a means to minimize the removal of students from the regular classroom.
4. The Title I and district staff will use weekly correspondence sheets and meet as much as possible to design effective programs for participating students.
5. The staff consists of individuals meeting the qualifications established by PDE for the implementation of a Title I Program.
6. The LEA will provide opportunities for professional development to the staff working with participating children. (Title I and district)
7. The LEA will provide opportunities for parents to become involved in their child’s educational experience – back to school night, parent/teacher conferences, newsletters, PTA meetings, and volunteer programs.
8. The LEA will use available resources effectively to assure the success of participating students in meeting PDE’s Chapter V requirements.
9. The LEA will review the learning outcome/assessments for participating students to determine their effectiveness on a yearly (fall/spring) basis. Difficulties in meeting the performance standards will result in measures to improve the quality of the educational program.
10. The LEA assures that the Title I staff assigned duties beyond classroom instruction, not benefiting participating students, will spend the same proportion of time performing such duties as similar personnel not paid from Title I funds.
11. A parent involvement policy for Title I has been designed and will be implemented to enhance the home/school connection.
12. Parents will have an opportunity to participate in several meetings throughout the school year. An evaluation will be completed by parents to assess the effectiveness of Title I meetings/conferences.
13. Parents will receive a Title I progress report for each nine week marking period. Additionally, parents will be updated on assessment results at parent/teacher conferences.
14. The curriculum, assessment instruments, and performance standards will be closely evaluated as the LEA’s strategic plan evolves.
15. The LEA will redefine a plan outlining the responsibilities of parents, the school staff, and students for the improvement of achievement as the strategic plan evolves
16. The strategic planning process will incorporate parents and community members as an integral part of the effort.
17. The LEA will utilize available resources as well as those of outside agencies to allow participation on Title I parents with limited English proficiency of disabilities.