Berkley Parents are the "berry" best!

How to help your child succeed.	Parent rights	Parents Needed!		Sunshine State Standards	Resources
		Volunteers	SAC Committee

Parents make the big difference! You are just as important as your child's teacher in helping your child receive a good education. Schools want parents to know what is happening at school and they want parents to be their partners. Be part of your child's everyday school experience!
The principal and staff are there to answer questions. Allow a school time to respond, but continue to insist upon a reply to your concerns. Be patient and persistent until your questions have been answered.
  How to help at home
Empty the backpack every day to see what the school is sending home. Ask to see your child's planner, agenda, or assignment notebook. Know when your child's progress reports and report cards are sent home and check them. All students have homework helping them to practice and apply skills learned in class. Set a regular time and find a quiet place for your child to do homework. Turn off the television. Provide pencils, pens, and paper. Provide help if needed. Praise completed assignments. If your child has trouble with homework, contact the teacher.
How to help your child at school 
Attend parent teacher conferences. When your child's teacher asks you to come in for a parent teacher conference, be sure to go. Anytime you have concerns about your child, call the teacher and set up a conference. Get to know your child's school. Attend parent meetings when they are scheduled. Many schools have Computer Nights or Open Library Nights for your family. Read the school newsletter. Visit the school's website.

  Parents have rights...
...to receive
-clear information on what is required for their children to be promoted to the next grade.
-assessment results including student progress reports, report cards, and end of the year status.
-information regarding teacher qualifications.
-communication regarding instructional materials.
-notice and due process for students with disabilities.
-written notification of entire guidelines on Religious Expression in Public Schools published by the United States Department of Education.
-copies of the District Code of Student Conduct.
-written notice of recommendation of expulsion and due process.
-notification of zero tolerance for harassment, drug possession and use.
...to be notified of
-children's progress toward achieving state and district expectations for academic proficiency.
-the development of academic improvement plans.
-eligibility to participate in School Advisory Councils.
-school accountability and school improvement rating reports, school grading systems, and district performance grades.
-accommodations for assessment.
-rights related to student records (access, waiver of access, challenge and hearing, and privacy).
-student's suspension and reason for suspension.
-zero tolerance and protection for victims of certain felony offenses.
-administration of medication and provision of medical services by district personnel.
-verified report of substance abuse violation by a student.

  Schools Need You! 
Volunteers
Many positive opportunities exist in our schools for meaningful parent participation. School volunteers complete a volunteer application form and undergo a background check. Application forms can be found online at https://pds.polk-fl.net/ssl/VolApp/default.asp or in the school offices.
Approved volunteers can help out in the classroom, media center or office, chaperone field trips, tutor and mentor students needing extra help, or be guest speakers about their jobs and hobbies. Your child's school will have a list of volunteer opportunities.
It is a privilege to be approved as a school volunteer, not a right. Privileges can be revoked. volunteers are expected to follow school board policies in their example and appearance. They are required to attend an orientation, sign in and out when on campus, follow directions of school staff, and keep student information confidential.
Volunteers will not be asked to:
-give medication to students
-discipline students
-assume responsibility for a classroom in the absence of school staff
-write comments or grades on student papers
Volunteer coordinators will notify volunteers when their application has been approved. Teachers will always provide supervision of volunteers by providing a workspace and materials for their tasks. The Community Involvement Office processes background checks ensuring volunteer confidentially and providing support to school volunteer programs. School Board policies can be found on the county website at www.polk-fl.net/brd_policies/header.htm. Call the Community Involvement Office at 863-534-0636 for further information.

School Advisory Councils
Every school is required by law to have a School Advisory Council. The SAC is made up of parents, teachers, support staff, and other business and community representatives. The SAC is responsible for developing and making final decisions about the annual School Improvement Plan.
Parents must be elected to the School Advisory Council every year. If you would like to be a part of the SAC, ask your school's principal about the election process at your school.
Even is you are unable to become a SAC member, get to know the SAC parents. As a parent, you are welcome to attend any SAC meeting to observe. You can request to speak to the SAC by contacting the school principal and chairman. Call the Accountability Office at 863-534-0717 for further information.

Sunshine State Standards 
The Sunshine State Standards were developed by the state in 1996. They cover every academic subject and are followed by every public school in Florida. These standards identify what students are expected to know at different grade levels. Due to the increase in accountability for student achievement, the subject areas of mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies now have specific grade level expectations. These grade level expectations start with a simple expectation and increase by grade level. 

  Resources
On-line Resources
Florida Department of Education
School Accountability Reports (School Grades)
School Advisory Council Information
National Parent Teacher Association
College Pre-Paid
Bright Futures Scholarship
Planning & Managing higher education
Free Books
To get these informative, free books, call the numbers listed.
A Child Becomes a Reader 1-800-228-8813
Helping Your Child Become a Reader 1-877-433-7827
No Child Left Behind 1-877-433-8727