Partners: Rincon Middle School

Parents are very much involved in our middle school. There are many opportunities for them to be a part of our collaborative model. In the spring, 5th grade parents come to orientation for general education and special education. Both are explained in–depth and questions are answered. In the fall, we have Back–to–School Night and parent/teacher conferences. Every quarter a newsletter is sent home to the parents, which includes articles, success tips, and a calendar of upcoming events. In February, we host Shadow–a–Student Day, where parents go to class with their child for half the day. Later in the spring, each grade level has Portfolio Day. Each student picks his/her best six pieces of work. Sixth graders present to parents, seventh graders present to leaders and members of the community, and eighth graders present to high school seniors.

Our special education department is also represented on our School Improvement Planning Committee by one of our parents. This parent attends monthly meetings, which approves expenditures from our School Improvement Plan Committee Fund.

Whenever a special education student has an Individual Education Plan meeting the whole team comes to the meeting. Everyone gives input on how the student is doing in class. The amazing thing …many times the whole team will sit through the entire meeting because each one has a vested interest in the student.