Our school was started by parent initiative, and is a parent participation school. Parents working along with teachers and students in the classroom, at all grade levels, are the heart of the school. Parent participation, input and governance are essential ingredients to the functioning of PCCS. Parent involvement is an exciting opportunity for parents to participate in the life of the school in a way that is personally enriching and beneficial to our students.

Parent involvement in all levels of their children's education has shown to play a key role in the success of a student. Students that understand their parent's commitment to their education have enriched self worth and place greater value on their education.

Parent participation schools serve both parent and child. While the child is learning and growing, with the support of teachers and involved parents, teaching parents have the opportunity to witness their child's development and to learn from the professional staff and other parents. Teaching Parents gain an understanding of their child's educational goals and learn ways of helping their own and other students to achieve these goals.

The continuum that is created as a result of parents in the classroom, benefits students, parents and teachers, as parents are able to bridge what is accomplished at school to what happens at home. Teachers and parents are able to work together in support of the student.

Teaching parents enable teachers to take advantage of a considerably lower adult to pupil ratio. Individual and small group projects are made possible through the support of teaching parents.

The staff and the board are committed to working with and supporting families in this learning environment. Parents receive mentoring and training in preparation.

Parents participate in school governance, staffing, staff development, curriculum and program development. We assist in site maintenance and improvement, office support committee work and fundraising and school wide projects, we are found in all aspects of school operation.

PCCS is a parent participation school. Parents working together with teachers and students is the foundation of our school. For this reason all families are required to make a specific commitment to the operation of the school. Each family is required to participate.

Each family is required to participate as follows:

• Based on the enrolled number of children in each family or school need (see below), parents work a minimum of one 3.5 hour shift per week as a Teaching Parent (see below).
• Parent/teacher conferences.
• Scheduled membership meetings.
• Scheduled classroom meetings.
• Orientation.
• Work Parties - two/year required.
• Active membership on at least one standing committee.
• Fundraising events.
• One alternate sign up per month.
• Parent Education/Workshops encouraged.

A Teaching Parent participates with teachers and students in developing, leading, implementing or assisting with projects or classes, provides assistance in the classroom, and supervises students during lunch, recess, field trips, and other non-classroom activities.

All families are required to work a shift (3.5 hours) as follows and as dictated by school need:

• Families with one child are responsible for 4 shifts in a 4-week period.
• Families with two children are responsible for 6 shifts in a 4-week period.
• Families with three or more children are responsible for 8 shifts in a 4-week period.

Workdays

Each regular participating family is required to work 3.5 hrs per week. This workday commitment is solid. If you are unable to work your scheduled day, it is your responsibility to arrange a swap. Your absence may well mean a teacher needs to adjust the plans for that day.

Parent Participants need to submit a scheduling survey. This survey needs to state your families shift availability for two days a week; this is for scheduling purposes. If your work preferences change, you must notify the Parent Coordinator. The Parent Coordinator will post a schedule in classroom.

The scheduling process follows this rough timeline:

• Notify scheduler of any changes for the following month by the first day of the prior month
• Tentative schedule posted by the 10th of the month. Submit any changes in writing to the Parent Coordinator by the 15th of the month.
• Final schedule for the following month posted by the 22nd of each month.

The schedule posted on the 22nd is final. Any changes after this point are your responsibility.

Each family is also responsible for signing up for one alternate day per month. A family may use the alternate calendar to find a substitute for his/her workday only when the member or his/her child is ill or faces other emergencies. An alternate must be notified by 7:30 AM the morning of that workday. For a serious illness lasting more than two weeks the Parent Coordinator needs to be notified. If you know that you will need a substitute prior to 12 hours before the start of intended missed school day, please find a non-alternate for a substitute.

When you use an alternate's services you must repay that day.

Maternity Leave

Members are eligible for an 8-week maternity leave. Upon written recommendation of the mother's physician, leave may be extended.

Family Leave of Absence

Two weeks notice must be given to membership supervisor.

Bereavement Leave of Absence

A bereavement leave of absence may be obtained by notifying the Parent Coordinator who will replace a participating member for up to two weeks without a need to make up workdays.

PCCS understands that there may be times that participation may cause hardship. PCCS will review hardship requests individually.

Use this search box to buy your stuff on Amazon.com
and earn Pacifica up to 6% of your purchase!