Hillsborough County Public Schools Student Services and Federal Programs
Information Item

DATE: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Recognition of the Florida Department of Education's Parent Involvement Award to Foster Elementary and Adams Middle School (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Florida Department of Education's annual publication of exemplary practices for family involvement, Sparkplugs, is comprised of several programs nominated by districts across the State of Florida. Sparkplugs highlights a collection of best practices in parent involvement and is released annually. As the Hillsborough County district winners for SERVE's Volunteer Awards, Foster Elementary and Adams Middle School were nominated to represent the district and were awarded inclusion in this year's publication for their parental involvement programs. Both schools initiated programs that actively engaged parents in support of student achievement.

Foster Elementary School's Writing Idol program taught parents the elements of effective writing in an interactive event that included appearances from Hannah Fontana, Brittney Tears, Jelly Clarkston, and others, as they shared their writing with the audience. Parents had an opportunity to apply what they learned as they used a rubric to score each performance.

Adams Middle School's Extreme Read Warrior Style book club program engaged parents and students as participants in a "book club". The school's academic teams selected a book for students and parents to read. Teachers communicated the importance of reading and spending time with parents. Students and parents read the book prior to attending an Extreme Read event at the school where small group interaction and sharing insights about the book took place. This event has become a tradition at Adams Middle School and has grown to participation by all academic teams. Adams Middle is not only our local winner, but also the Region 4 winner. As a result, their program was presented at the PTA state conference this summer.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: No)

EVALUATION

N/A

SUBMITTED BY:

Velia Pedrero, Supervisor
Parent/Family and Community Involvement
(813) 272-4431
Gwendolyn L. Luney, Assistant Superintendent
Student Services and Federal Programs
(813) 272-4879
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Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20091110_365 * Section C Item# 08