Final Update March 2012

Ensure that no child is denied a learning or developmental opportunity at school due to socioeconomic circumstances.

 Schools have added the following to each parent form that requests funds from parents:  A box for parents to mark if they are in need of financial assistance to cover the cost of the activity/supply/etc.  A box for parents to mark if they wish to contribute additional money to support families in need of assistance.

 Elementary field trip fees have been capped at each grade level to $40.00 per year.  A suggested donation of $ $10.00 per year is asked of parents to cover classroom “fun” activities. Parents are allowed to decide how much they want to contribute.

 Back to school supply costs capped at $45.00 per child  Grade level teachers evaluated each item required for their particular grade level  Pre-packaged school supplies offered at each school to reduce the cost of supplies

 Pricing changed for items/fees/supplies to encourage parents to round up and set aside the extra money collected for families in need of assistance.  Negotiated lower prices with vendors when purchasing planners, field trips, etc.

 $50 flat participation fee policy in place at the secondary level  In future consider moving to a structure designed on a “per activity” basis for the school year.  Discontinue the 6 th grade Eagle Bluff trip and replace it with local, less expensive team building/connecting experiences

 PTA scholarship fund reviewed to ensure it effectively supports scholarship needs  Development of a one time, comprehensive scholarship request option targeted to family with free lunch status  Continue to not charge students for vocabulary books and student planners

 Ensure all staff have current information on methods to minimize barriers to full participation on the part of students.  Staff meeting to bring awareness about being thoughtful of the amount of money asked from families  Continually review current and newly proposed requests for items to be funded by parents. Work to minimize expenses for parents.

 Strategy 18.7 is considered operational.  Due to the nature of the strategy, ongoing analysis will take place on a building level to ensure that the spirit of the strategy is maintained.