Family Engagement

Parent Engagement

Parents are always encouraged to volunteer in our classrooms! Ask your child's teacher more about volunteering or contact the Sugar Hill center for more information. Our Volunteer Policy is located at the bottom of the page.

There are several other ways that parents can be involved in our program...

Policy Council

What Is Policy Council?

Policy Council is the parents' voice in major program decisions, including such things as our recruitment and selection policy, personnel policies, budget, grants, and funding proposals.

Who Is On It?

Parents and Community Representatives

When Is it?

The Policy Council meets once a month at a date and time set by the members.

Who Can Come to Policy Council Meetings?

Policy Council meetings are open to anyone who would like to attend. However, only elected Policy Council Members may vote.

What are the responsibilities of Policy Council members?

To be informed and to keep parents informed about issues facing the Policy Council.

To attend meetings regularly and notify staff in advance if you are unable to attend.

To advocate for the best interest of all Head Start and Early Head Start families.

To attend training and share information with other parents.

What support will be offered?

There will be training for all elected members. The program reimburses mileage to meetings to help with travel expenses.

Why is it important to attend each month?

A copy of the program budget will be handed out to parents in each monthly Policy Council meeting along with copies of reports from each coordination area. Attending meetings allows parents to be more aware of what is happening in the program.

Other Parent Engagement Activities

Circle of Parents & Parent Committees: Circle of Parents is a parent led, but professionally facilitated group for parents to share challenges, successes, and other information. The group is open to anyone and parents guide the topics/focus. Parents who participate gain positive parenting skills and learn how to be an advocate for their children. They also build leadership skills and create a strong support network of fellow parents.

Monthly Parent Meetings: We hold monthly parent meetings with themes related to parenting, nutrition, literacy, finances, health, and other topics related to children and families. Community agencies are invited to share information at these monthly meetings. At the beginning of the school year we send out surveys for you to fill out and let us know what kinds of topics you would like to know more about...make sure that you get those turned back in to your child's classroom! We provide child care when needed. We invite all families to come out and fellowship!

Parent Training: Our staff and other presenters provide parent training throughout the year on topics that concern parents today such as: Positive Discipline, Sibling Rivalry, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Health & Nutrition, Child Abuse Prevention, and many more. Topics, dates and times will be provided to all parents.

Fabulous Father's Club: This program is designed specifically to involve a male role model in children's lives. We encourage dad, grandpa, uncle, cousin, or even a male family friend to participate with their child.

Volunteer Policy

Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom when possible; however because of state regulations we do have some guidelines that we must follow:

• Volunteers must be 18 years or older
• To volunteer more than one day per week we must have current TB test and you must fill out Emergency Information
• You may not bring siblings or other children
• You must attend volunteer or substitute training and/or review information on volunteer responsibilities
• You may not be left alone with children (other than your own)
• All volunteers must read and sign the Volunteer handbook