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26-27 GHS School Family Engagement Policy

 

Family Engagement Policy and Plan for Shared Student Success

School Year 2026-2027

Principal: Dr. Monique Hazzard-Robinson       

Assistant Principal: Dr. Tracy Lewis, Katina Hardy, Dr. Roger Pacheco & Mr. Jdhordane William     

 

What is a Family Engagement Policy?  

A Parent and Family Engagement Policy is a plan that describes how Groves High School will provide opportunities to improve family engagement to support student learning.  We value the contributions and involvement of families to establish an equal partnership for the common goal of improving student achievement.  This plan describes the different ways that the school will support family engagement and how families can help plan and participate in activities and events to promote student learning at school and at home (Section 1116) of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. 

Where is the Family Engagement Policy available?  

The Family Engagement Policy will be distributed to all families at the beginning of the school year through students. Additionally, copies are available in the Family Center, where you may also view it and provide feedback. The Policy will also be posted on the school’s website and shared at the Annual Title I meeting. 

How is it jointly developed/revised? 

The following actions were taken to involve parents/guardians in the joint development of school-parent/family compacts that outline how school staff, parents/guardians, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve the state’s high standards: 

  • An invitation to attend the Annual Title I Family Forum was sent to parents in the spring of the previous school year, offering parents/guardians the opportunity to help plan for the upcoming school year. 

  • A final Family Engagement Policy and School-Family Compact(s), with all of the feedback incorporated, will be posted on school website, presented at fall Annual Title I meeting, sent home with all students to serve as an agreement between the school, parents, and students of the shared responsibility for improving student achievement. 

What is Title I?   

Groves High School is identified as a Title I school as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Title I is designed to support State and local school reform efforts tied to challenging state academic standards and reinforce and enhance efforts to improve teaching and learning for students.  Title I programs must be based on effective means of improving student achievement and include strategies to support family involvement. All Title I schools must jointly develop a written family engagement policy with all families.   

Who is the purpose of Title I?    

All students participating in the Title I, Part A program and their families are encouraged and invited to fully participate in the opportunities described in this policy.  The school will provide opportunities for the participation of families with limited English, disabilities, and families of migratory children.   

Implementation  

The staff at Groves High School recognizes that the education of students is a responsibility shared with administrators, teachers, parents, and the community. Maximum learning occurs when parents are actively involved and supportive of the education of their children. In an effort to enhance and expand parental involvement at the school level, parents will be invited to attend several meetings throughout the year in order to provide input in the planning, the review and the improvement of school-wide Title I programs.  

In order to provide parents/guardians with continuous communication, opportunities for input, and to increase family engagement, the following mandatory Title I family meetings will be held each academic school year: 

  • Title I Annual Meeting (Fall) – Introduces the School/Family Compacts, the Family Engagement Policy, the Title I budget, and the School Improvement Plan. Information about the school’s curriculum, assessments, and other important information is also shared at this meeting. 

  • Family Forum (Spring) – Provides parents/guardians with the opportunity to provide input on School Improvement Planning, the Family Engagement Budget, the Family Engagement Policy, the School-Parent/Family Compact, and staff training. 

School-Family Compacts 

As part of our family engagement plan, Groves High School and our families develop a school-parent/family compact, which is an agreement that explains how parents/families and teachers will work together to make sure students reach grade-level standards. The compacts are reviewed and updated annually based on feedback from parents, students, and teachers during Title I Annual Meeting and from the Annual Family Engagement Survey. The school-parent/family compacts also are reviewed with families during parent-teacher conferences. 

GOALS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS 

SCCPSS District Goals: 

Goal 3: ELA & Math Achievement 

Outcome: By 2031, districtwide English Language Arts (ELA) and Math achievement will reach a 70.0 

weighted Content Mastery score on Georgia Milestones. 

Goal 4: Student Attendance 

Outcome: By 2031, 90% of students in grades K–12 will be absent less than 10% of enrolled school days. 

Goal 5: Student Belonging & Engagement 

Outcome: By 2031, 90% of students will demonstrate positive belonging and engagement, measured by a combined index of: (1) student survey responses and (2) the inverse of the weighted suspension rate. 

Goal 6: Future-Ready Milestone Experiences 

Outcome: By 2031, 90% of graduates will complete at least one future-ready milestone experience (e.g., work-based learning, dual enrollment, apprenticeships, or signature experiences). 

 Groves High School Goals: 

Goal 1: By the end of the 2026–2027 school year, Groves High School will increase student performance at the proficient and distinguished levels on the Algebra I: Concepts and Connections GMAS End-of-Course Assessment by 5%, increasing from 10.31% to at least 10.8%, as measured by the 2027 GMAS assessment results. 

Goal 2: By the end of the 2026-2027 school year, the percentage of students reading on grade level as measured by the NWEA MAP End-of-Year (EOY) Assessments will increase from 40% to 50%. 

Goal 3: By the end of the 2026–2027 school year, Robert W. Groves High School will increase the Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate from 77.3% to at least 80.4%, representing a minimum increase of 4%, as measured by the Georgia Department of Education graduation rate data through the implementation of targeted academic interventions, attendance monitoring, credit recovery opportunities, and graduation support services. 

Parent and Family Engagement 

Groves High School believes that family engagement means the participation of parents and family members in regular two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including ensuring: 

  • That parents/families play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning. 

  • That parents/families are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school. 

  • That parents/families are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child. 

Family Resource Center 

HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm 

Come visit the Family Resource Center to check out books, study materials, and activities to use at home with your child. Computers are available for parents to log into PowerSchool/Parent Access and explore educational resources. 

If you need support, please reach out to our Family and Community Relations Specialist: Brittany Franklin, 912.395.2520 ext. 7162201, Brittany.Franklin@sccpss.com  

1% SET-ASIDE FOR PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 

Each year, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System reserves 1% from the total amount of the Title I, Part A funds it receives to carry out family engagement requirements. 

ACCESSIBILITY 

In carrying out the parent and family engagement requirements established by Section 1116 of the ESSA, the district family engagement coordinator will communicate and collaborate with the Office for Student Support Services to ensure full opportunities for participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children including providing information and school reports in a language parents can understand. 

2025-2026 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Events and Activities 

Groves High School will host the following events to build the capacity for strong family engagement to support a partnership between the school, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement. A flexible number of meetings, such as meetings during school day and/or in the evenings will be offered.  Meetings will be scheduled on multiple dates and at multiple times to better accommodate family attendance. Information will be sent home at least two weeks in advance of the event and in a language that is family-friendly. Opportunities will be provided for regular meetings, if requested by parents, to formulate suggestions and to participate as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their child and respond to any such suggestions as soon as practicably possible.  

Title I Annual Meeting – September 

We invite you to an evening of learning and sharing about our Title I program, including our parent  

and family engagement policy, the schoolwide plan, the school-parent compacts, and parents’ requirements. Invitations will be emailed and posted in the school newsletter, social media, and local media. 

Parent “Needs to Know” Information Session – August 2026 

Gain all the information you need to start the school year off right. Learn about programs the schools offer, set up your parent PowerSchool account, and tip on how to help your child succeed.  

Title I Annual Parent Meeting – September 2026 

To inform families of the requirements of Title I, the school participation, and parent’s rights under Title I. 

Literacy Night – October 2025 

Unlock the power of literacy as the cornerstone of learning across all subject areas during our comprehensive parent training session, exploring how reading and writing enrich every aspect of your child’s education. 

Family Engagement Resource Fair – November 2026 

A celebration of family engagement and the recognition of its impact on school and student success. Connect with valuable resources and strengthen family-school partnerships at our Family Engagement Resource where you will find support, information, and activities tailored to enhance your child’s educational journey. 

Grief Workshops – November 2026 and February 2027 

This workshop provides resources, coping strategies, and support for students and families navigating loss. Participants gain practical tools and access to community resources to promote emotional well-being and resilience. 

CHOICE Night – January 2027 

Learn about the Maritime Logistics Choice Program and Aviation Manufacturing and Service, Advanced Placement (AP), Personalized Learning, S.T.E.M.  

Parent-Teacher and Student Conferences – Ongoing  

Scheduled updates on your child’s progress. 

Breakfast & Bonding | Coffee & Conversations – Quarterly 

Gain knowledge about topics relevant to your child’s education. Get assistance with Power School and attendance support.  

Title I Annual Family Forum – Late February/Early March 

Provides an opportunity for parents/family members to participate in discussions with the principal and staff regarding the school improvement plan, family engagement policy, school-parent/family compacts, and the family engagement budget. 

Building the Foundation  

Groves High School will take the following measures to promote and support parents/families as an important foundation for the school in order to strengthen the school and reach our school goals. We will: 

  • Communicate effectively by ensuring that information related to academic standards/assessments (GMAS, Benchmark Exam, etc.), events, etc. is published in a language and format accessible to parents and is communicated in multiple ways. 

  • Ensure parents/guardians are informed that Georgia Milestones (GMAS/EOC) measures how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.  

  • Offer training for parents and family members to help further enhance their various educational levels. 

  • Partner with early childhood programs, feeder schools, college and career ready resources, or other programs to help prepare parents and their children for successful school transitions. 

  • Provide necessary materials and handouts for parents/guardians at conferences, meetings, and activities to help parents work with their child to improve their child’s achievement.  

  • Collaborate with Community Partners to provide information and introduce resources to benefit families. 

  • Based on parent/guardian feedback, staff training to improve communication with parents and ideas to increase family engagement with reading and math activities for our students outside of the classroom.  

  • Collect feedback from parents and family members at all events, place input cards around the building and post a suggestion form on the school website in order to respond to parents’ requests for additional support for parent and family engagement activities.  

Parent and Family Engagement Standards 

Groves High School and our parents have adopted the National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships as the school’s model in engaging parents, students, and the community. These standards are: 

  1. Welcoming All Families 

  1. Communicating Effectively 

  1. Supporting Student Success 

  1. Speaking Up for Every Child 

  1. Sharing Power 

  1. Collaborating with Community 

SCHOOL COUNCIL  

The school council is an advisory body created to offer advice to the principal on matters pertaining to student achievement and school improvement. The school council initiative was created by the Georgia State Legislature as a method of involving parents, teachers, and community stakeholders in the educational process.  It is governed by state law; O.C.G.A § 20-2-85 and O.C.G.A § 20-2-86. The school council is made up of elected parents, appointed community/business members, elected teacher representatives, and the school principal, with the parent group constituting the largest segment. If you would like to learn more about the school council, please contact our principal.