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We welcome you to the 2008-2009 school year at the Neighborhood Charter School. For some of you, this will be the beginning of a school experience unlike any other. For those returning, welcome back! As you know or will soon find out, this educational experience offers much in terms of support, engagement and opportunity. It also asks for the same things from you. One of the founding principals of the Neighborhood Charter School and part of our Mission Statement is high levels of parental and family involvement. Based on this, we created the Family Contract that each family has signed. The Family Contract details the activities critical to create the learning environment that supports the success of all who attend the Neighborhood Charter School.
Because families have sometimes been unclear about what is required of them in terms of participation, two years ago we developed and implemented the Family Participation Review. This procedure was created to make sure everyone knows what is expected and how to get there. We need you to meet with your child’s teacher. We need your child at school, on time, ready to learn. We need you to volunteer your time, resources and energy to help the school be the dynamic learning place that we all want. We need everyone to meet or make arrangements to fulfill their financial obligations. To be here is to commit to involvement. As we said, this is a school experience unlike any other.
We want every child and every family who attends the Neighborhood Charter School to succeed. We know that means developing a strong working relationship between all involved. We also know that sometimes hardships befall families. If for some reason you are struggling to meet the requirements of the Family Contract, please let anyone of the following persons know of your challenges (the Principal, the Parental and Family Involvement Chairperson or the Business Manager). We want to help your family succeed. Together we can make this a wonderful experience.
Sincerely,
Tammie Mitchell
Governing Board Chairperson
Cindy Cahalen
Past-Chair Governing Board
Sherri Scott
Parental and Family Involvement
Committee Chairperson
In order to objectively track compliance with the Family Contract so that we may better identify and assist families, the Parental and Family Involvement Committee will perform a Family Participation Review for each family enrolled at the Neighborhood Charter School. An outline of the Review procedure is listed below.
Beginning in August of 2006 the following components of the Family Contract will be tracked using a system of points.
Volunteer Hour Fulfillment, Fundraising Participation, Attendance at PTCA meetings, Attendance at Parent-Teacher Conference, Signing and Returning Report Cards, Signing and Returning Weekly Couriers, Signing and Returning Classroom Behavior Reports, Meeting Financial Obligations, Adhering to the Attendance and Tardiness Policy.
Points will be calculated and shared with families in November, February and June of each year. The June sheet will have a total of points that will indicate if the family’s status for the upcoming year.
Y1 = first year of review, Y2 = second year of review.
JUNE Y1: The Family Participation Review sub-committee* (of P&FI) will make a recommendation of probation to the board for all families that have not completed all of their requirements*. All families placed on probation will be notified by mail at this time.
AUGUST Y2: Any family recommended for probation may address the Governing Board at the August meeting if they wish to appeal. The board will make a decision and share it with the families by the September board meeting.
NOVEMBER Y2: P&FI will Track & Report Family Participation Components. Any family on probation who has met or exceeded their obligations (pro-rated through Nov.) will be taken off probation and may re-enroll. Any family on probation who has not met their pro-rated obligations will not be allowed to re-enroll for the Y3 school year.
JUNE Y2: If a family was formerly on probation (Y1) and then was removed from probation (Nov-Y2) has been found to not be in good standing, they will receive a letter letting them know that they will not be returning to Neighborhood Charter School for the upcoming school year - August Y3.
Your family can gain points by participating in the following activities. Maximum number of points for one parent families is 40 points; maximum for two-parent families is 50 points. Ultimate responsibility for recording participation lies with each family.
| Activity | Points | Maximum | How to Get Them | Notes |
| Volunteer Hours | 1 per hour | 10 per one-parent family; 20 per two-parent family | Log in online or record hours in your courier | Assist in classroom, office, field trip, etc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fundraising Event | 3 points | 3 points | Log in online or record hours in your courier | Donations (monetary or raffle/auction items), committee service, etc. |
| Parent-Teacher Conference | 7 points | 7 points | Attend Fall Conference - teachers will track this. | Must attend the Fall Conference |
| Couriers | 5 points | 5 points | Sign and return the courier. | Must return 32 out of 38 couriers by the following Tuesday. |
| Classroom Behavior Reports | 5 points | 5 points | Sign and return behavior reports. | Must return 85% of returns. |
| Report Cards | 2.5 points per report card | 5 points | Sign and return reports | Sign off that you have read 1st and 2nd report cards. 3rd term is given the last day of school. |
| PTCA Meetings | .5 points per meeting | 5 points | Sign in at meetings | Must sign in at the PTCA meeting. |
Your family will lose points for outstanding financial obligations to NCS. These may result from library fines or payments due for after-school care. Families who have made payment arrangements will not lose points.
| Amount Owed | Points Lost |
| Under $50 | 0 points |
| $50 - $100 | -3 points |
| $101 - $250 | -6 points |
| Over $251 | -9 point |
Beginning the 2007-2008 school year, unexcused tardiness will also be tied to the Family Participation Review. Your family will also lose points for unexcused tardiness.
| Unexcused Tardies | Points Lost |
| Under 8 | 0 points |
| 9 - 14 | -3 points |
| 15 - 29 | -6 points |
| Over 30 | -9 points |
Your status for the following year is determined by your total point accumulation at the end of the year. There is no minimum quarterly tally, unless your family is on probation from a preceding year.

NOTE: If your family has extenuating circumstances that affect your ability to fulfill the Family Contract, you may bring it to the attention of the Principal, the Parental & Family Involvement Chairperson, the Guidance Counselor, or the Business Manager. Our goal is to help every family meet the minimal requirements listed above.
* Non-fulfillment of requirements may be mitigated by extenuating circumstances that should be brought to the attention of the P&FI Committee Chairperson, the Principal or the Business Manager.