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Parents Portal

PARENTS GET INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION

Becoming an effective advocate for your children requires becoming involved in their education and their lives. Research shows that children whose parents are involved in their education do better in school. Schools need parent and family involvement to succeed just as much as your children do.

Head Start encourages parents and families to become involved in their children’s education, both in and out of the classroom. Some of the ways parents can support your children at Head Start include:

  • participating in the classroom;
  • attending Head Start staff/parent meetings;
  • attending training to learn the rights and responsibilities concerning children’s education in school;
  • getting involved in decisions about your children’s education by learning to communicate with teachers and other school staff;
  • serving on a Head Start committee, such as the Policy Council or Advisory Committees;
  • learning how to become involved in developing an Individualized Education Plan if your child has special needs; and
  • creating a learning environment at home in an effort to support classroom learning.

To become better role models for your children, Head Start will help you explore opportunities to expand your education, find a job, and tap into support groups where parents and family members encourage each other.

When it’s time to move on, Head Start children leave with confidence and skills they need to succeed in kindergarten, first grade and beyond. Many of our participants have gone on to become business owners, teachers, lawyers, mayors, Members of Congress, athletes, Grammy-winning musicians, poets, and parents themselves.

PARENT SUGGESTION BOX

Your opinion is important to us feel free to leave your information in our Parent Suggestion Box.
The Parent Suggestion Box is monitored by Vicki Robinson, Executive Director
Please allow at least 48 hours for a response.

  • Do you have an idea that could help our program?  Let us know.
  • Do you have a concern regarding your child ?  Let us know.
  • Would you like to receive training on certain subjects? Let us know what that is.
  • Do you have a question about our policies and procedures?  Ask and we will try to help.

ENTER PARENT SUGGESTION BOX HERE

JOIN OUR POLICY COUNCIL 

What is Policy Council?

Policy Council is a group of people elected annually  (or when vacancies occur) by other parent/guardians who currently have a child enrolled in the Head Start Program.

Why is Policy Council needed?

The Federal Government has written regulations for Head Start called  Performance Standards. In these regulations it states there must be a Policy Council and that parents will have input in the decision making of the program.

Policy Council members are made up of two types of representatives: parents/guardians of currently enrolled children and community members. At least 51% of the members must be a parent/guardian and the 49% are Community Representatives. (Community Reps: come from the local community and/or past Head Start  parents/guardians).

Alternates are also elected. If the site Representative can’t attend, then an alternate will vote in the place of the absent site representative.

All Representatives will receive notice of all meetings by email, mail or phone.
 

What are the requirements to serve on Policy Council?

  • Be a parent/guardian of  a child currently enrolled in the program.
  • Nominate yourself or someone else if  interested in being a Policy Council Representative.
  • Must be elected by other parents who currently have a child enrolled (this will happen at your child’s center during Parent Orientation & meetings in September).
  • Be willing to attend a monthly meeting.
  • Cannot serve more than a total of 5 years on Policy Council.
  • Willing to take information from the Policy Council Meeting and report to parents at  Parent meetings/events.

Will I receive training and know what to do?

  • Policy Council Representatives will have a special orientation before their first meeting and will receive training throughout the year.
  • Representatives will receive a Policy Council Notebook filled with information that will assist them in understanding their roles and responsibilities.
  • Staff is available to assist Policy Council Representatives and answer any questions.
     

What expenses are covered for Policy Council Representatives to attend meetings?

  • Parents are reimbursed for mileage at the agency mileage rate for travel, if HS transportation is not provide to your address.
  • Childcare is provided for HS children and their siblings (due to liability issues you cannot bring other children to the meeting).
  • Transportation will be provided for Parent  Policy Council Representatives who don’t have their own transportation.
  • Dinner is provided.

All meetings are open, which means, any parent/guardian of currently  enrolled children are invited to attend the meetings.

For more information dowload:   

Head Start Policy Council Tips.pdf

 

Policy Council Meeting Minutes can be found on the Policy Council Portal Page

 

If you would like more information regarding our Policy Council feel free to call Alicia at (301) 797-5231 extention 126 or email acarter@headstartwashco.org