* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: President Dixon
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Informational Hearing - Baltimore City Public Schools -
Family and Community Engagement Policy
FOR the purpose of inviting the Chief Executive Officer of the Baltimore City Public School System, the Director of Parent and Community Development of the Baltimore City Public School System, and the Legislative Liaison of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners to present the Board's "Family and Community Engagement Policy" and the progress made to date in implementing the provisions of the policy that seeks to engage parents, families, and community members in the education of our children by creating a positive bond between the home and the school.
Body
Recitals
On May 25, 2004, the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners approved a Family and Community Engagement Policy, the stated purpose being: " This policy establishes the framework and responsibilities for the implementation of strategies to increase family and community engagement in schools and throughout the system. An effective school-family-community team assures parents, families, and community members the opportunity to be effective collaborators and decision-makers at all levels in support of improved academic performance for all students. The BCPSS will provide support and training for the engagement of all parents, families, and community members. The policy also supports the fulfillment of federal and state parent involvement mandates."
On Saturday, December 3, 2005, the Baltimore City Public School System Office of Parent Involvement and School, Family, Community Connections hosted a "Parent and Community Development Session" for PTA, PTO, PTSA , and other groups to meet with School Improvement Team and Community Representatives to share information about the BCPSS Family and Community Engagement Policy, the Title I Parent Involvement mandates, and the School Improvement Team guidelines, to ensure that all participating entities clearly understood their responsibilities to make certain that the school system has in place an effective parent-community-school paradigm.
A component of the Family and Community Engagement Policy is a requirement that the central office, area office, and school personnel annually assess the implementation of the policy and program. On January 28th, 2006, the Office will reconvene with parent/teacher/community groups to begin that assessment. At that time it will be determined what organizations officially represent schools throughout the system. If, at that time, any school does not have an officially recognized parent/teacher organization, the school administration will take steps to make sure one is formed, in keeping with the policy to "ensure that all families, regardless of income, ethnic background, or language - whose children attend BCPSS schools, share and receive school-to-home and home-to-school communications" concerning the educational welfare of their children.
The City Council, by passage of this Resolution, requests the Baltimore City Public School System to share the results of their progress toward implementation of the Family and Community Engagement Policy following the January 28th meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body invites the Chief Executive Officer of the Baltimore City Public School System, the Director of Parent and Community Development of the Baltimore City Public School System, and the Legislative Liaison of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners to present the Board's "Family and Community Engagement Policy" and the progress made to date in implementing the provisions of the policy that seeks to engage parents, families, and community members in the education of our children by creating a positive bond between the home and the school.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, the Chief Executive Officer of the Baltimore City Public School System, the Director of Parent and Community Development, Baltimore City Public School System, the Legislative Liaison of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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