Our Beliefs

Understanding the importance of having a solid foundation upon which to build our school, we have worked diligently to develop these to truly reflect what we are all about.

BELIEFS

All children can learn and will learn in their own time and their own way.

All children have a unique perspective and knowledge that they can contribute to the learning of others. Grouping students in heterogeneous classrooms gives the opportunity for sharing and learning from each other.

We believe our school is a community of learners in which students, teachers, parents and the community are growing and learning together.

We are striving to create a clean, safe, secure, environment as we teach children to respect themselves, others and property. Our school should be a place where children are nurtured and willing to be creative and take risks.

All teachers should participate in on going staff development in order to reach their potential to provide rewarding opportunities for all children.

As teachers, we should constantly strive toward engaging students in meaningful work experiences.

We can and WILL teach ALL children.

Our Vision

If our beliefs are in place and practiced everyday:

Our school will be a place of learning for all. Everyone will be engaged in their work and learning. Teachers will be reflective of their practice and utilize assessments to guide their teaching. They will be actively seeking information from their students to discover better ways and activities that will engage children actively and excitedly in learning. Because of this thirst for learning the school will have a feel of excitement when you walk in the door. You will see a gallery, a gallery of student work: photos, examples, quality work will line the halls and be displayed creatively and in places of honor in the school. Attendance and discipline wonít be an issue because the engaged child will want to be at school daily and too busy learning to get in trouble. You will see parents in the building actively involved in the learning of children and learning themselves how to be better parents and support their childís learning at home. Classrooms will also be a gallery of student work and student made learning tools. Word walls, class stories, individual student work will line the walls.  Students will be busy in self-directed learning. Teachers will be leading the class in learning. Everyone will be successful. Personal learning will be of the highest value and sharing what you have learned will be one of the highlights of everyday. You will not see a single ìstore boughtî decoration anywhere in the building. Everything will be made by children. You will feel that we value every child and person in the school. You will feel the BUZZ.

As the hub of learning for the community, the school will be a busy place, valued by the neighbors and community members as a place to support the future of our country, our children and the individual learning of everyone in the community. The school will have influenced the community to become a place where everyone is valued. The school family will understand the value of differences and gathering together to learn from each other. Cultures will be valued as bringing new knowledge and understanding to the life of our community. Together we can do more. Higher learning for all makes all of us better.

Parent Involvement Policy

Baldwin Elementary School
Parent Involvement Policy
2009-2010

In order to foster student success, partnerships among schools and parents are vital. At Baldwin Elementary we believe parents help their children become life-long learners and their support is crucial in our efforts to provide a quality education for our students. In order to maximize the success of our students the following involvement opportunities are planned for parents and grandparents of students of Baldwin Elementary students.

One of our primary goals as noted in our vision is to be an environment where learning takes place for all. In order to develop a sense of community these opportunities are planned for staff and family members.

·    Title 1 Staff Orientation: (August) Our staff orientation addresses the value and contributions of parents. Emphasis is placed on communicating with parents and on how to build partnerships with our parent community. A presentation shows the staff what it means to be a Title 1 school. Additionally, the staff is informed as to how we use Title 1 funds to support students and their families.

·    Open House and Title 1 Orientation for All: (August) This is an opportunity for every student returning to Baldwin Elementary to meet his or her new teacher and to learn of any changes impacting the school routines.

·    Breakfast with Grandparents: At various times throughout the year each grade level will provide an opportunity for grandparents or other family members to have breakfast with students at our school.

·    Parent Teacher Organization Meeting with Curriculum and Expectation Emphasis: (September) The purpose of this meeting is to provide parents with information about how they can be involved in the decisions relating to the education of their children. Another purpose of this meeting is to make parents aware of the Georgia Performance Standards and our curriculum.

·    Breakfast with Dads: At various times throughout the year each grade level will provide an opportunity for dads or other family members to have breakfast with students at our school.

·    Parent Teacher Organization Meeting: (December) A holiday musical will be performed by students.  Parents and teachers will have time for interaction and discussion.

·    Breakfast with Moms: At various times throughout the year each grade level will provide an opportunity for moms or other family members to have breakfast with students at our school.

·    Fall Festival: (October) PTO sponsors this festival to give families an opportunity to come into our school and visit with other families and enjoy a night of games, entertainment, and food.  The faculty and staff have a chance to interact with students and families throughout the school.

·    Parent Teacher Organization Meeting: (March) Agenda will be determined later.

·    Mentoring: (On-going) Community members, parents, and high school students voluntarily work with specific students on a regular basis to meet academic and social needs of our students.

·    Classroom Volunteers: (On-going) Parents and community members voluntarily work in classrooms to meet the needs identified by the teacher.

·    Parent Orientation to CRCT Prep and Tutoring  The date for this meeting will be set once we know when our program will operate during 2009/2010. Our orientation for parents regarding our tutoring program addresses the purpose of this program and parent responsibility for supporting their child's education. This is also a time when parents are asked to contribute ideas to improve our services offered to students. Parents will also be given strategies and ideas about how they can help their children at home.

·    Math and Literacy Collaborative Parent Nights:  Each grade level plans a night during the first semester for both Math and LC.  Grade levels will share a variety of information depending on the needs of the current group of students in each classroom.  For example, fourth grade shared "Gratitude Essays."  Each student chose a member of his or her family to write either a letter or essay.  Parents and family members were then invited to come for the sharing of the writings.  Another example is math game night.  Parents are invited to come and play math games that can be used to strengthen basic skills.

·    Homework Folders: (Mondays) First through Third grade - The folders are sent home each Monday. Classroom teachers use these to keep parents informed of student academic progress and to inform parents of upcoming assignments and activities for the week.

·    Baldwin Agendas: (Daily) Teachers send the agenda home each day with third through fifth grade students. This serves as a daily vehicle for parents to be informed of successes and needs of their children. This is also one way parents have to communicate with teachers about their concerns or praises for student achievement.

·    Classroom Newsletters: (Weekly) Teachers send home classroom newsletters noting activities impacting their classroom. These newsletters also provide parents with study tips, upcoming due dates for assignments, and information relative to school wide issues.

·    Parent Teacher Organization Newsletter: (Quarterly) This newsletter is produced by our PTO and serves to provide parents with information pertaining to the work of our PTO and how parents can support this work.

·    PowerSchool: (On-going) Parents have access via the Internet to information pertaining to their child's grades and attendance either by accessing this themselves or by registering to receive an email containing this information on a regular basis.