Tamarack Jr. Sr. High School P.O. Box 1234

Fern Gully, Alaska 99133Head Office: ( 907) OUR-KIDS

The staff of Tamarack Jr./ Sr High would like to welcome back parents and students for another great year at the home of the Fighting Banana Slugs!

Contact Us:

Understanding that “parent and family involvement increases student success”, we ask for your assistance and support in ensuring our youth are provided the proper environment they need to grow. (National PTA, 2004, p. 4) With the encouragement of our parents, community members, and teaching staff, our youth will blossom and flourish!Sincerely, The Tamarack Staff

Fall 2010- Spring 2011 Home of the Fighting Banana Slugs

Tamarack Jr./Sr. High

Parent, Community, and School

Involvement HandbookHandbook built and presented by

Tamarack High’s school/ community relations committee:

Jessica Bills, Mike Tozzo,

Leif Sivertsen, and Joanna Stiner.

Table of Contents

Tamarack Mission

Welcome Letter………………………..……3

Standard V:Decision Making and Advocacy………16-17

Arboretum Tips and Concerns………..…...4

Standard VI:Community Collaboration…….…….…18-19

Alaska Academic Content Standards……...5

Appendix: A…………………………..……20

Alaska Cultural Standards……………….…6

Appendix: B………………………………..21

Defining the PTA’s Mission……...……......7

Appendix: C……………………………..…22

Standard I: Communication…...........………………..8-9

Appendix D………………………….….….23

Standard II: References………………………………….

Welcome to Tamarack Junior Senior High!

Thank you for joining us as we rally to support the growth of our students! With your nurturing support, we know that each student in the Foxglove School District will receive the facilitation they need to develop strong character.

Our hope is that this handbook will be a useful resource for parents, community members, and school staff as we unite on behalf of our students. Parental and community involvement is vital in

Welcome Back To

Tamarack!

Tamarack Junior & Senior High School recognizes that each student requires individual engagement. To ensure each child is nurtured in a caring environment, we work together with parents and community members emphasizing the development of the whole child and highlighting

Arboretum Tips and Concerns

Preparing the Soil

Just as every plant needs the proper balance of soil nutrition in order to grow, so our students need the proper balance of interaction from parents in order to grow. Parental involvement is pivotal in ensuring our students develop in the proper environment. Who are parents? Anyone who is the primary caregiver of a student: from a mother or father, to an aunt or uncle, to a cousin, to an adoptive or foster parent. “When parents are involved, students achieve more.” (National PTA, 2004, p. 8) Thank you for your commitment to ensuring our youth are provided rich soil in which to grow.

Ensuring the Optimum Environment

Plants need rain and shine and an optimum range of temperatures to enable them to grow and thrive. Students respond directly to their environments; ensuring they are facilitated by the proper atmosphere enables them to thrive. Community members and teaching staff are integral in providing this optimum environment. “When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more.” (Henderson and Mapp, 2002) The participation of mentors, neighbors, job personnel, coaches, teachers, and administrators sets a student up with the proper atmosphere to flourish.

Providing Nutrients

Landscapers understand that plants have different nutritional needs. Some are more alkaline, others are acidic; some need compost and care, others prefer rocky ledges and wind. Developing an awareness of our students’ needs enables us to facilitate their individual growth and development. As we consider their cultural backgrounds, we grant them the nutrients they need to withstand adverse obstacles they may encounter as they grow. Being able to “bridge the gap between the culture at home and the culture at school” will enable educators to ensure our youth are cultivated according to their individual needs, (National PTA, 2004, p. 8).

Alaska Academic Content Standards

In order to foster success of Alaska’s students and communities as a whole, the Alaska Department of Education has set standards for creating quality teachers and schools. For a detailed treatment of the standards please visit <http://www.eed.state.ak.us/standards>

By following through with these standards, our school will:

A. Work together as partners in a teacher-parent-family-community unit (Standards for Alaska’s Teachers).

B. Create a collaborative unit (including students) that acts together in the process of decision-making regarding the public educational system (Standards for Quality Schools).

C. Promote understanding and respect for the diverse people that make up our community as a whole.

D. Include the community as a whole (schools, parents, families, other community members, and businesses—private and public) in the equation of student success.

The National PTA (2004) recognizes that when parents, families, and community members are part of the

2

Alaska Cultural StandardsActively involving every member of the community to engage in the process of public education creates a positive perception of both one’s culture and the other cultures that compose a community. This atmosphere encourages healthy communication between the various partners of the teacher-parent-family-community unit. In this way, students have role models of both their own and others’ cultures.

Some of the cultural objectives Tamarack Jr. / Sr. High will make priority include:

1) Maintaining multiple avenues for Elders to interact formally and informally with students at all times;2) Includes explicit statements regarding the cultural values that are fostered in the community and integrates those values in all aspects of the school program; and3) Encouraging and supporting experientially oriented approaches to education that makes extensive use of community-based resources and expertise.

Tamarack also values passing on the many diversified indigenous languages our students value as an expression of their cultural heritage. By inviting in native speakers of these languages and incorporating linguistic classes into our curriculum, we hope to meet the following goals:

1) Provide cultural and language immersion programs in which students acquire in-depth understanding of the culture of which they are members;2) Offer courses that acquaint all students with the heritage language of the local community; and3) Make available reading materials and courses through which students can acquire literacy in the heritage language.

Tamarack’s staff also desires to be culturally enriched and create a culturally-aware atmosphere in their classrooms. Teachers understand their need to individually immerse themselves in the culture of Foxglove School District in particular and Alaska in general. They have determined to meet goals that will support cultural enrichment, including:

1) Incorporating local ways of knowing and teaching in their work;2) Use the local environment and community resources on a regular basis to link what they are teaching to the everyday lives of their students;3) Participate in community events and activities in an appropriate and supportive way;4) Work closely with parents to achieve a high level of complementary educational expectations between home and school.

We welcome your support and feedback in making Tamarack Jr. and Sr. High a culturally responsive school!

I: Communication

Communicating with the Community through Blogging! Action Plan and follow through: Create a school blog/website that students can post stories, news, pictures and information to under teacher supervision. Have it set up so that the parents can comment on the stories, news and pictures. This creates daily interaction with the parents and students through comments, but also provides discussion topics for parents and students at home.

Hand out business cards to parents friends and relativesSend out newsletter explaining ramifications of blog site

Any and all comments will be monitored by school staff before appearing on siteWhen: Site is accessible 24 hours/day

Materials: A computer and account for comment linkTraining: Staff in charge will teach and facilitate the uploading of stories and pictures

Goal: Our goal is to create communication between the parents and their children through a means that is both comfortable to the child and parent. The blog format would essentially be an electronic newsletter with students having individual sites linked to the blog.

Do you have special talents? Do you want to help contribute to your child’s school?

II: ParentingCommunicating Within the School Community

“Communication between home and school is regular, two-way, and meaningful.”

Building Successful Partnerships, 2000, p. 25

Research has shown that consistent, two-way communication between the home and the school often provides the following benefits for students, teachers, and administrators.

--Building Successful Partnerships, 2000, p. 25

Students

-- Gain an awareness of their own progress andGain an awareness of their own progress and competencecompetence

-- Understand expectations and rulesUnderstand expectations and rules-- Become more aware of their role in the partnership andBecome more aware of their role in the partnership and

can serve as information courierscan serve as information couriers

Parents

-- Report a greater belief in their ability to influence their Report a greater belief in their ability to influence their childrenchildren

-- Better understand school programs and policies Better understand school programs and policies -- Become more involved in their children’s learningBecome more involved in their children’s learning

School Staff

-- Appreciate and make more effective use of parentAppreciate and make more effective use of parent volunteersvolunteers

-- Gain an increased ability to seek and understand familyGain an increased ability to seek and understand family views on children’s progressviews on children’s progress

-- achieve greater teaching effectivenessachieve greater teaching effectiveness

Q: How can I keep up with my child without contacting the teacher?

A: Parents can log onto our blog at www.schoolrocks.com and look at projects and journals kids are

I: CommunicationThe Action Plan

II: ParentingThe Action Plan As parents you are your

children’s first, and most important educator, we hope that our administration will be able to work closely with all parents to optimize learning experiences for your children. Research shows that parents and teachers working together can have the following

Students Parents Teachers and

Administrators

- Are more aware of family supervision and gain more respect for parents- Attend school regularly- Gain an awareness of education’s importance

- Gain a greater knowledge of the characteristics of childhood and adolescence and have more self-confidence in their parenting abilities

- Gain a greater respect for families’ strengths and efforts- Better understand student and family diversity- Better understand families’ concerns,

—Activity:

Parent, Student, and Community Job Fair

—What Will Be Done?

Every year our school hosts a spring Job Fair for community businesses and community members to recruit students for local summer help. Both students and businesses have had tremendous success in the past. This year we would like to add a new dimension: parent volunteers.

For our Spring 2011 Job Fair we are asking for parent volunteers to participate in a career counseling component. Not a doctor or lawyer? Not to worry. We are looking to include parents who work in all sectors of Alaskan industries. Slope workers, mechanics, painters, carpenters, teachers, artists, fishermen, wilderness guides, pilots, real estate agents, clerks, small business owners, bankers, et cetera. Parents are the expert their your fields!

This a family project. We encourage you to work with your child on display materials, videos, photos, brochures, or anything else you would like to include. We will provide tables, chairs, television and video/dvd sets, power cords, and electricity!

—When and Where:

Teachers and administrators can always use helping hands.

We will be holding parent meetings and

circulating surveys to help you help us.

Defining the

PTA’s Mission

The goal of the PTA is to represent the entire school district effectively in implementing action plans and advocating for our students. “The National PTA was founded more than 100 years ago with a mission to advocate for and educate others on issues affecting children and families,” (Building Successful Partnerships, 2000, p. 157). The mission of the PTA is three-fold:

1) To support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community, and before governmental agencies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children;2) To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children; and3) To encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.

Our members truly desire to implement changes that will benefit both our school and community. We ask that you fill out the survey in Appendix A to help the PTA refine its involvement in the educational theater as they assess their effectiveness.

Definition: Parents play an integral role in assisting student learning (National PTA, 2000, p.67).Student success is aided by parents who communicate to their kids that: Learning can be fun and interactive, education is valuable and important, and that high expectations are helpful in creating a path to the future (National PTA, 2000).

III: Student LearningIII: Student LearningThe Action Plan

Out of time?Our staff is

committed to communicating

with you. Contact us at

907-OUR-KIDS to talk to us about

flexible scheduling, alternative locations,

potluck dinners, and monthly community

family events.

Business Planning and Proposals Project

Students (and parents!) in 11th and 12th grades at Tamarack High School enrolled in Economics/American Government will be participating in the annual Business Planning and Proposals Project starting at the beginning of the fourth quarter, March 24th. This will be a six-week project involving three phases: Parent Input, Compilation, and Presentation.

An informational letter will be sent in April via students, mail, and email outlining the project (see Appendix B). The project will culminate with students proposing their own small business plans to a panel of both parents and members of the local Rotary Club on May 7th at the Tamarack High School Auditorium. One of the student’s small business plan proposals will be the winner of a $2,500.00 award to put their business on the map!

Award funds have been generously donated by the following businesses: Alaska Pacific Bank, Tamarack Rotary Club, Alvin’s Restaurant, Carr’s Grocery, IGA Grocery, A grant from the Alaska Job Center, and Theresa’s Landscaping. Students’ ideas are only limited to their imaginations.

Purpose of the Activity

Parents will be empowered in the process by being a resource for their children. Children 5

Q: I want to volunteer but how do I do it? A: Don’t worry; you can fill out the survey at the back of the handbook so that we know where you would like to volunteer (see Appendix C).

Getting Involved: Volunteering“Parents are welcome in the school, and their support and assistance are sought.”

PTA Handbook, 2000, p. 88

Benefits: When parents volunteer, families and schools often reap benefits that can be obtained in few other ways. Research reinforces the fact that welcoming parents into the school and seeking their support and assistance can benefit everyone. (Epstein et al., 1997)Students:

Gain a variety of skills and knowledge taught by volunteersLearn skills that help them communicate with adults

Appreciate the talents and contributions of parents and volunteersParents:

*Feel welcomed and valued* Gain self-confidence in their ability to be role models for children

*Better understand the teacher’s role and responsibilities

School Staff:Gain an awareness of and appreciation for parents’ talents and interests

Learn how to organize, train, and effectively use volunteersHave more time to devote individual attention to students

IV: Volunteering

6

“Parent involvement and volunteer service is the rent we pay for living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time.”- Marian Wright Edelman, Founder of Children’s Defense Fund, PTA Handbook, p. 87

Action Plan:We will send out a survey targeting volunteer opportunities for parents

The object will be to find out what parents enjoy doing and what they feel comfortable withParents can also sign up for things ahead of time if they choose

When: Each quarter we will send out a survey with the volunteer opportunities available during that quarterMaterials: stamps, current address list/e-mail, internet access, contact number

Training: volunteers will be trained sufficiently in whatever activity they choose to volunteer Goal: the goal is to offer up volunteer options to the parents and to let them choose and keep them informed of volunteer opportunities as we go through the school year

Q: I don’t have time to chaperone, what else can I do?

IV: VolunteeringThe Action Plan

A: There are many other areas to volunteer, such as fundraising, crosswalk duty and helping

7

Parents:1) Gain voice in

school decisions/policie

s2) Become aware of

school/district policies

3) Feel a sense of ownership in their children’s

school

School Staff

1) Become aware of parent contributions to

school policy development and decisions

2) Grow to accept the equality of

parents serving on school

committees

Students:1) Understand

rights are protected

2) Aware of families’

representations in school decisions

3) Benefit from policies enacted by parent/school

committees

“Studies have shown that schools where parents are involved in decision-making and advocacy have higher levels of student achievement and greater public support.”

~National PTA, 2004, p. 20~

V: Decision Making and AdvocacyThe Action Plan

School Community Collaboration:

“Community resources are used to strengthen schools, families, and student learning.”~Building Successful Partnerships, 2000, p. 131~

Parents:1) Gain an awareness of community contributions to school2) Develop connection with other families in the community

3) Gain knowledge of and use resources to obtain needed services, improve skills, or both

School Staff:1) Learn and become involved in service referral processes for families with needs

2) Develop skills for working with businesses, volunteers, and mentors3) Learn and use community resources to enrich classroom

Community:1) Gain improved access to community resources

2) Form connections between businesses and prospective future employers3) Gain a greater sense of purpose by contributing wisdom to students

V: Decision Making and Advocacy

VI: Community Collaboration

Back-To-School Coffee & Muffin Mixer

Purpose: To actively incorporate parental voice in enacting policies and to encourage parent ownership of their school by bringing parents and educators together in an atmosphere of mutual appreciation and understanding to discuss implementations that will make our children’s educational experience fun, relevant, engaging, and enriched. Discussions: Field Trips, Open House,

Logistics: Parents will meet with school board and faculty over muffins and donuts to express input and facilitate discussion concerning school policies and decisions.

When: 3rd Thursday bimonthly at 8:00 PM

Any parents need childcare services? Do you or someone you know require translation assistance?

Are you in need of transportation or special aid?Please alert our school office at:

907-OUR-KIDSWe are here to assist you!

Keep Current!

Our school newsletter published monthly will contain up-to-date information regarding school and district policies and decisions. Staying abreast of issues empowers parents and faculty to ensure their voices are heard, enacting change. Visit our school website to access our online newsletter, or request a printed copy for your convenience. Thank you for your contributions to our school community!

“When schools and communities work together, both are strengthened in synergistic ways and make gains that outpace what either entity could

accomplish on its own.”~National PTA, 2004, p. 22~

…parents are full

partners in decisions affecting families.

~Building Successful Partnership 8

We are happy to announce the continuation ofINTERNATIONAL NIGHT!…back by popular demand!

Purpose: To enable the students to learn cultural values firsthand from community members and to ddemonstrate to the community what their students are learning. Connections will be formed among t the community members and between the community and school. Logistics: Junior High staff will work with students to create international cuisine for the community. TThey will also prepare activities reminiscent of other cultures. When: November 12, 2010 at 6 PMConcerned about parking? Attendants will direct traffic.Need a ride? Contact the office (907-OUR-KIDS) so we can assist you!

See flyer Appendix D for more information

On a daily basis…

We invite all community members to visit our school website where students upload their best work and where an online copy of our school newsletter is available: www.tamarackslugs.comTo receive a paper copy of the school newsletter, please stop by the school office or call the school: 907-OUR-KIDS We value your input! Please let us know if you have a unique talent that would enrich our school! Volunteers are always welcome. A Special Thank You…

We toast you! Thank you for your involvement in our school. You make our school successful and enrich our children’s lives! We are honored to be a part of this community.

VI: Community CollaborationThe Action Plan Evaluating PTA Parent/Family

Involvement Activities

Directions: In each square, put a + for above average, 0 for average, - for below average, or N/A for not applicable (as to how each activity supports and meets the criteria). Please feel free to leave any suggestions you may have. Extra space has been provided below the table for any additional comments. Thank you for helping us serve you more effectively!

(Chart from Building Successful Partnerships, 2000, p. 222)

Additional Comments:

Appendix A: PTA Table Dear Parents and Students,

Students (and parents!) in 11th and 12th grades at Tamarack Jr./ Sr. High School who are enrolled in Economics/American Government will be participating in the annual Business Planning and Proposals Project starting at the beginning of the fourth quarter, March 24th. The project will culminate with students proposing their small business plans to a panel of parents and members of the local Rotary Club on May 7th. Of all of the wonderful submitted small business plan proposals, one of the students will be the winner of a $2,500.00 award to put their business on the map!

This will be a six-week project involving three phases: Parent Input, Compilation, and Presentation.

Phase One—Parent Input

In order to gain insight into all of the many facets of the workplace, students will be speaking with their parents about the jobs and careers their parents have had or currently have. Parents are asked to be reflective and open with their children regarding the nature of their places of employment and the various aspects of their workplaces. Students will have specific questions and surveys for you as parents over the course of the project (the information is for your child only—all information is confidential and is between you and your child). All parents will also be invited to participate as panel members at the presentation of plans in Phase Three. After week two of the project, students will move into Phase Two.

Phase Two—Compilation

Students’ next step will involve compiling research and ideas for creating their own small business plan. Business plans are to have a starting budget of no more than $2,500.00 (two thousand and five hundred dollars). The start up money has been generously donated by the following businesses: Alaska Pacific Bank, Timbucktoo Rotary Club, Alvin’s Restaurant, Carrs Grocery, IGA Grocery, A grant from the Alaska Job Center, and Theresa’s Landscaping. Students’ ideas are only limited to their imaginations. The students will have 4 weeks to research and put together the details of their plans.

Phase Three—Presentations

Presentations are scheduled to take place May 7th in the Tamarack Auditorium. All parents and Rotary Club members will be invited as panel members to help select the winner of the $2,500.00 start up fund!

We are all looking forward to the students’ innovative small business plans. Thank you very much to all involved!

Appendix B: Parent Project Letter

9

Appendix C: Volunteer Survey

10

Announcing…

Invited: The whole community!

Where: The school gymnasium!

When: November 12, 2010 at 6 PM

Hosts: The Junior High Geography Class!

Bring: A dessert to share!

Wear: A costume representative of a culture!

Expect: To enjoy the meal the junior high is making and to participate in diverse cultural events!

Whet your palates in anticipation of many savory international dishes!

Prize for the best costume will be awarded!

Resources for More Information

Appendix D: International Night Flyer

11

Identify what and why your children are susceptible to peer pressure.Protect them by finding ways to lessen how much time they spend in unsupervised activities where sources of social pressure are present.Teach and empower your children with skills that will help them to deal with stressful/pressure-packed situations.Design and implement

appropriate ways for your children to get their needs (to fit in, belong, excitement, etc.) met. This might include maximizing the time they spend with appropriate social influences.Maintain strong relationships with your children that include open, honest communication.

To help prevent more colds make sure your child is bundled up for the winter chill, don't share utensils or cups, and practice proper hand-washing. Cold are inevitable, but with the proper precautions you may help cut down on the number of stuffy noses your child will get this year.Contact your child’s physician if you plan to use any over-the-counter medications so he or she can supply you with the correct dosage for your child’s weight and also recommend products based on your child’s medical history.Contact your child’s physician any time you have questions about your child’s health.

References

Parenting Tip: Social Pressures and Young PeopleFrom www.parenting.org

Young people are susceptible to social pressure due to insecurities, desire to fit in, looking for status, need for excitement, fear of losing friends, wanting to be noticed or envied, looking to assert autonomy, find an identity, looking for support/approval, wanting to succeed at something. Here are five helpful hints you

Resources for More Information

Parenting Tip: Fighting Colds Without MedicationFrom www.parenting.org

In January 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that over-the-counter cough and cold medication should not be given to children under the age of 2 years, as they have not been shown to be safe or effective. The FDA is continuing to look into the effects of over-the-counter cough and cold medications for children 2-11 years. Colds and all of their ailments (runny nose, water eyes, stuffy nose) will last at least 7-10 days

So, how do you deal with your children’s cold symptoms without the medications that many people have been dependent on for decades? Boys Town Pediatrics offers advice to parents and caregivers:

Place a cold mist vaporizer/humidifier in your child’s room

Use saline drops with a nasal suctioning bulb for infants

Sit with your child in a hot steamed bathroom for about 10-15 minutes at a time

Use hard candies (for children over age 4 years) or warm chicken broth to soothe a sore throat

Keep your child home from

Alaska State Department of Education Standards:

www.eed.state.ak.us/standards

Coalition for Community Schools:

www.communityschools.org

Parenting Support:

www.parenting.org

Alaska ICE (Initiative for Community Engagement):

www.alaskaice.org

Teacher Support:

www.inspiringteachers.com

Fighting Colds Without Medication. Retrieved August 15, 2010 from, <http://www.parenting.org/parenting-tips/medical/fighting-colds-without-medication>

National PTA. (2000). Building Successful Partnerships, A Guide for Developing Parent and Family Involvement Programs. Bloomington, Indiana: National Education Service.

National PTA (2004). National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs, An Implementation Guide for School and Communities.

Social Pressures and Young People: How Can A Parent Help?. Retrieved August 13, 2010, from <http://www.parenting.org/taking-flight/education/social-pressures-young-people-how-can-parent-help >

Various Alaskan Authors, Association of Alaska School Boards, Seach Institute’s Developmental Assets Framework. (2004). Helping Kids Succeed—Alaskan Style. Juneau, Alaska: Alaska for Community Engagement.

Henderson, A.T., Mapp, K.L., and Averett, A. (2002). A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student Achievement. Austin, TX: National Center for Family & Community Connections with Schools.

12