All three of Southern Tioga School District’s elementary schools receive federal funding through Title I. We understand that you may not be aware of all of the options that are available for your child through Title I.
Title I is a 100% federally funded supplemental education program that provides financial assistance to local educational agencies to improve educational opportunities for educationally deprived children. Southern Tioga School District's Title I programs are designed to help children meet the state content and performance standards in reading, language arts, and mathematics. Services are available in Blossburg, Liberty, and Warren L. Miller Elementary Schools for eligible children at all grade levels. Services may be provided within the regular classroom, during a tutoring period, or in small-group instruction outside of the regular classroom.
In compliance with Title I Federal program regulations, the Southern Tioga School District has only highly qualified teachers teaching in academic core subjects. Parents of students may request information regarding the professional qualifications of teachers by calling Gina Van Gorden, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at (570) 638-2183 extension 306, or in person at the Southern Tioga Administrative Offices, 310 Morris Street, Blossburg, anytime during business hours which are Monday through Friday, 8:00AM - 4:00PM.
Information on the Title I program can be found on the Southern Tioga School District website or may be obtained at any of the three elementary schools. Please contact your child’s teacher or the office at your child’s school if you have questions.
TITLE I COMPACT
Liberty Elementary School
8622 PA-414, Liberty, PA 16930
The Title I Compact presented here was developed through the collaborative efforts of school district representatives from administration, faculty, and parents who believe in the importance of shared responsibilities and the importance of communication between parents and teachers. Our compact is being shared with the district superintendent, building principal, faculty, and parents and students of Southern Tioga School District.
FACULTY
Liberty Elementary School faculty will provide high quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that will encourage success for every student and will treat each child with dignity and respect. I join with my colleagues, parents, and students to carry out the following responsibilities to the best of my ability:
1. Strive to address the individual needs of each student.
2. Acknowledge that parents are vital to the success of this school and its students.
3. Provide a safe, positive, and healthy learning environment for each student.
4. Will assure every student access to quality learning experiences appropriate to their development.
5. Will assure that faculty communicate clear expectation for performance to both students and parents. 6. Will assure appropriate participation of parents in the decisions relating to the education of their child(ren).
7. Will communicate to parents on a regular basis regarding student progress.
PARENTS /
GUARDIANS
I realize the importance of working cooperatively with the school. I understand that my participation in my child’s education will help his/her achievement and attitude. Therefore, I join with Liberty Elementary School faculty to carry out the following responsibilities to the best of my ability:
1. Create an atmosphere that supports learning by encouraging reading activities.
2. Send my child to school regularly, on time, well fed, and well rested.
3. Monitor assignments and encourage homework completion.
4. Review all school communications and respond promptly.
5. Attend school functions and conferences.
6. Encourage my child to demonstrate respect for school personnel, his/her classmates, and school property.
7. Participate in decisions relating to the education of my child.
STUDENTS
I realize that my education is important. I know that I am responsible for my own success. Therefore, I agree to carry out the following responsibilities to the best of my ability:
1. Get to school on time every day.
2. Develop a positive attitude about school.
3. Return completed homework on time.
4. Be a cooperative learner and carry out the teacher’s instructions and directions to the best of my ability.
5. Ask for help, when needed.
6. Be respectful to school personnel, other students and school property.
7. Participate in appropriate extra-curricular activities.
8. Be responsible for my own behavior.
TITLE I PARENT and FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICY
Liberty Elementary School (LES) is learner driven. By empowering, engaging, innovating, and connecting, LES will promote a positive school climate where all learners can reach endless possibilities. Throughout this process, LES recognizes the importance of parent inclusion as partners in the success of all children who attend.
Parent and family engagement is defined not only as communication between the school and the family, but also as empowering parents to be active decision-makers in the education of their children.
The overall plan for parent and family engagement will identify current programs and practices that promote parent involvement. Furthermore, the plan will provide for a system to continuously identify needs and solutions for improving parent and family engagement. This will be accomplished by including parents as members of the School Improvement/Title I Team, which will meet multiple times each school year.
Title I Policy Statements
1. Parents are informed in advance that all students may be evaluated because LES is identified as an inclusive Title I school.
2. If a student is evaluated for Title I services, parents will be informed.
3. Parents will also be informed if a child no longer needs Title I services.
4. Parents will have input into the Parent Family and Engagement Policy as well as the Title I School Improvement Plan.
5. Support will be provided to include parents as knowledgeable participants in Title I programming at LES.
LES may utilize the following programs/practices to strengthen the school-family partnership and provide materials and training for school staff and parents:
● Handbook for Students, Parents, and Guardians: At the beginning of the year, parents receive this handbook which contains the student code of conduct and information about procedures at the school.
● Back to School Night: Families are encouraged to attend. Information about the new school year is provided.
● Parent – Teacher Conferences: Face-to-face and/or telephone conferences are held throughout the school year. One formal round is scheduled in the fall of each year, but individual conferencing can be scheduled on an as-needed basis. Title I procedures and test results are shared at these times.
● Progress Reports: Parents are provided with information for accessing progress reports through our Sapphire Community Portal.
● Report Cards: Report cards are distributed three to four times each school year.
● Access to Online Grades: 24/7 access to student grades (grades 3 – 6) is provided by the Sapphire Community Portal.
● Book Fairs: Book fairs are set up by the librarian and held each year.
● District Calendars: Each year, the district calendar is provided to families. All major events are identified.
● Parent Nights and Workshops: Various nights and workshops are scheduled to promote literacy in the home and family connections.
● Parent Volunteers: Parents can become approved volunteers and help out in the school community on a regular basis.
● Email Communication: Email is used to keep parents informed of student progress.
● Social Media: Both Facebook and Twitter are used to communicate significant events to the school community.
● Parent Link: Our automated calling system is also used to communicate messages to the school community.
● Newsletters: Parents have access to newsletters created by teachers and the principal.
● Student Performances: Various class plays and music performances are held throughout the school year. Any assemblies during the school day that are open to family members and/or the public will be advertised.
LES will conduct, with parents, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parent involvement policy, noting increase/decrease and barriers. These findings will be used by the School Improvement/Title I Team to modify the policy accordingly.
Also, parents of students receiving services shall be given the opportunity to evaluate in writing the Title I services their child has received.