Advocacy
What is Advocacy?! The word "advocacy" comes from the Latin word 'advocate' and means to call out for support. We are excited to resurrect the PTA's Advocacy Subcommittee for the 2022-23 school year. Advocacy takes place on many levels within a school community.
Section 8.4 of the state charter explains that the advocacy committee “...shall develop and organize meetings, activities, and programs to further the goals and purposes of PTA. This committee is tasked with improving communications and relationships between school staff and families; educating families and caregivers on important issues related to the health and educational success of their children; and helping to make each child’s potential a reality.”
At Irwin Academic Center advocacy is a three-pronged approach - students, teachers, and families. Students' voices are critical. The goal is to always put the student at the center of the work, therefore it is important that we hear about the issues that are important to them. We have several mechanisms by which we will go about obtaining this type of first-hand feedback. To ensure students' academic and socio-emotional needs are being met, it is just as important to hear from the teachers. This subcommittee will act as a channel for teachers to bring forward opportunities that need advocacy in order to enhance the classroom environment or school community.
he last part of this approach is parents’ advocating for their children. However, parents also advocate for teachers, staff, and the school community. This subcommittee is the bridge between the PTA and the SIT, better known as the School Improvement Team. The advocacy subcommittee has a direct connection to the SIT, with the PTA president engaged in both groups, to ensure that issues/concerns/opportunities are brought forth, discussed, and closed out with the next steps. On a broader level, parents, teachers, and staff advocate for issues related to the health and educational success of all children.
If you are a parent/guardian who has a topic, opportunity, or concern that needs advocacy, we welcome your feedback.
What is Advocacy?! The word "advocacy" comes from the Latin word 'advocate' and means to call out for support. We are excited to resurrect the PTA's Advocacy Subcommittee for the 2022-23 school year. Advocacy takes place on many levels within a school community.
Section 8.4 of the state charter explains that the advocacy committee “...shall develop and organize meetings, activities, and programs to further the goals and purposes of PTA. This committee is tasked with improving communications and relationships between school staff and families; educating families and caregivers on important issues related to the health and educational success of their children; and helping to make each child’s potential a reality.”
At Irwin Academic Center advocacy is a three-pronged approach - students, teachers, and families. Students' voices are critical. The goal is to always put the student at the center of the work, therefore it is important that we hear about the issues that are important to them. We have several mechanisms by which we will go about obtaining this type of first-hand feedback. To ensure students' academic and socio-emotional needs are being met, it is just as important to hear from the teachers. This subcommittee will act as a channel for teachers to bring forward opportunities that need advocacy in order to enhance the classroom environment or school community.
he last part of this approach is parents’ advocating for their children. However, parents also advocate for teachers, staff, and the school community. This subcommittee is the bridge between the PTA and the SIT, better known as the School Improvement Team. The advocacy subcommittee has a direct connection to the SIT, with the PTA president engaged in both groups, to ensure that issues/concerns/opportunities are brought forth, discussed, and closed out with the next steps. On a broader level, parents, teachers, and staff advocate for issues related to the health and educational success of all children.
If you are a parent/guardian who has a topic, opportunity, or concern that needs advocacy, we welcome your feedback.
Overview of IAC Student Improvement Team
The Team shall work collaboratively with the principal, the school's Instructional Leader. The Team works together with the principal in four critical areas:
Planning - The Team shall serve as the North Carolina School Improvement Team and will develop the School Improvement Plan, addressing both short term and long term goals, to improve student performance. This planning process shall include assessing needs, determining priorities, developing strategies, and recommending the allocation of resources to achieve goals.
Management - The Team should provide input and assistance into the development of an effective and responsive educational program in the school consistent with the school system's expectations for effective schools (clear well-understood mission; strong instructional leadership; maximized direct instructional time for each student; strengthened role of parents as educators; high expectations for students and staff; orderly school environment sensitive to student/staff needs; use of achievement measures to plan clear curriculum).
The Team shall:
The Team may:
Communication - Serving as primary liaison from the school community to the central administration and Board of Education, the Team will follow established procedures to communicate any school developments it deems appropriate
Evaluation - At the conclusion of the year, the Team shall prepare an end-of-the-year report addressing past achievements and remaining challenges before the school. At the beginning of the next school year, the Team shall issue a "state of the school" report.
The Team's report shall include:
The Team shall work collaboratively with the principal, the school's Instructional Leader. The Team works together with the principal in four critical areas:
Planning - The Team shall serve as the North Carolina School Improvement Team and will develop the School Improvement Plan, addressing both short term and long term goals, to improve student performance. This planning process shall include assessing needs, determining priorities, developing strategies, and recommending the allocation of resources to achieve goals.
Management - The Team should provide input and assistance into the development of an effective and responsive educational program in the school consistent with the school system's expectations for effective schools (clear well-understood mission; strong instructional leadership; maximized direct instructional time for each student; strengthened role of parents as educators; high expectations for students and staff; orderly school environment sensitive to student/staff needs; use of achievement measures to plan clear curriculum).
The Team shall:
- Monitor the implementation of strategies to achieve the goals in the School Improvement Plan.
- Review and monitor the school's curriculum and its implementation; provide input toward the development of programs to enhance the school's educational mission; participate in major resource allocation decisions; monitor the enforcement of the school's discipline policy.
- Be involved in the development of responses to the unique challenges that emerge during the year and any other activity which significantly impacts the school.
- Include in the strategies for improving student performance a plan for the use of staff development funds that are available by the school.
- Include a plan to address school safety and discipline concerns that is consistent with the Safe School Plan adopted by the Board of Education.
The Team may:
- Include in its plan requests for waivers of State laws, rules or policies; and
- Include a decision to change the use of State funds in accordance with GS 115C-105.25.
Communication - Serving as primary liaison from the school community to the central administration and Board of Education, the Team will follow established procedures to communicate any school developments it deems appropriate
Evaluation - At the conclusion of the year, the Team shall prepare an end-of-the-year report addressing past achievements and remaining challenges before the school. At the beginning of the next school year, the Team shall issue a "state of the school" report.
The Team's report shall include:
- A summary of the school's Report Card
- Opportunities and challenges before the school and plans for the year.
Advocacy and the Charlotte/Mecklenburg PTA Council
http://www.meckpta.org/advocacy/advocacy.php
“Our goal at Mecklenburg PTA Council (MeckPTA) is to inform the membership about local and state education issues and North Carolina PTA legislative goals. Our goal is to help our members become effective advocates.
MeckPTA Advocacy Chair, Jane Webster - advocacy@meckpta.org
“Our goal at Mecklenburg PTA Council (MeckPTA) is to inform the membership about local and state education issues and North Carolina PTA legislative goals. Our goal is to help our members become effective advocates.
MeckPTA Advocacy Chair, Jane Webster - advocacy@meckpta.org
Advocacy and the NC PTA Council
NCPTA and National PTA Advocacy Priorities
http://ncpta.org/index.php/advocacy/pta-advocacy-priorities/
“The bylaws of the National PTA and the North Carolina PTA both state that a core purpose of PTA is to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
In keeping with that part of the North Carolina PTA mission, and in support of the existing and long-standing policies of North Carolina PTA, the following advocacy priorities will guide the work of North Carolina PTA.”
· School Funding
· Teachers and Administrators
· Parental Involvement
· Accountability
· Health and Wellness
Detailed descriptions are on the website.
http://ncpta.org/index.php/advocacy/pta-advocacy-priorities/
“The bylaws of the National PTA and the North Carolina PTA both state that a core purpose of PTA is to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
In keeping with that part of the North Carolina PTA mission, and in support of the existing and long-standing policies of North Carolina PTA, the following advocacy priorities will guide the work of North Carolina PTA.”
· School Funding
· Teachers and Administrators
· Parental Involvement
· Accountability
· Health and Wellness
Detailed descriptions are on the website.
CMS 2023 Comprehensive Plan
Operations / 2023 Comprehensive Review: Facilities, Magnet Programs, and Boundries (cmsk12.org)
CMS is currently crafting a Comprehensive Plan for Facilities, Boundaries, and Programs in service of continuous improvement efforts.The Comprehensive Plan incorporates:
- Capital Needs Assessment
- Student Assignment Review
- Magnet Program Update
Phase I of community engagement ended on November 20, 2022.
CMS is currently seeking feedback from the community as part of the Phase II process.
Phase II Community Engagement Sessions: Jan. - Feb. 2023
COMPLETED Jan. 18 @ 7:00 PM - North Mecklenburg High School - Community Engagement Phase II Jan. 2023
COMPLETED Jan. 19 @ 12:00 PM - Virtual: Community Engagement Phase II Jan. 2023
COMPLETED Jan. 19 @ 6:00 PM - Garinger High School: Community Engagement Phase II Jan. 2023
Jan. 25 @ 6:00 PM - Northwest School of the Arts
Jan. 26 @ 12:00 PM - Virtual:https://cms-k12-nc-us.zoom.us/j/98647144117?pwd=M1A1WGw2MkNDL0lFQVQrWjdRd3VSZz09
Jan. 31 @ 6:00 PM - South Mecklenburg High School
Feb. 1 @ 6:00 PM - East Mecklenburg High School
Feb. 2 @ 12:00 PM - Virtual: https://cms-k12-nc-us.zoom.us/j/96656655520?pwd=WGlncjZLcWluQmhqWTYxa0JHNDVmUT09
Feb. 2 @ 6:00 PM - Virtual: https://cms-k12-nc-us.zoom.us/j/94754792037?pwd=TEVyYnl1QUhqeWs3c0U4OEVUWXdNQT09
Feb. 8 @ 6:00 PM - Charlotte East Language Academy (Presented in Spanish)
