How to Get Involved in Your Child's Education

      1. KNOW the school policies and expectations.
        1. K-6 Handbook
        2. Junior High Handbook
        3. High School Handbook
      2. TALK to your child’s teachers—you are an important part of your child’s education.
        1. Ask to see a sample of your child’s work
        2. Ask the teacher questions like:
          1. Is my child learning to read and write?
          2. What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses?
          3. What can I do at home to make sure that my child is successful?
      3. ATTEND
        1. Curriculum Preview Night (offered at the very beginning of each school year)
        2. Parent/Teacher Conferences (varies by school)
        3. Open House (offered at the very beginning of the school year)
        4. School events such as athletics, concerts, festivals, dances, and plays
      4. JOIN IN:
        1. Classroom Volunteer
        2. Room Mom/Dad
        3. Library/Cafeteria volunteer
        4. Recess volunteer
        5. Field Trip chaperone
        6. Assistance with interpreting/translating
        7. PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)
      5. READ to your child and have him or her read to you every day for at least 15 minutes
        1. Ask your child to retell a story in his or her own words by telling what happened first, second, and third
        2. Look for opportunities in everyday places to build your child’s vocabulary
        3. Be sure your child has a library card - many libraries have book clubs and family activities that make reading fun for the entire family
      6. ASK questions when you are not sure about something. We are here to help!

Parental Rights

  • Federal and State Law

    • Three main federal court cases provide the legal foundation for providing equal educational opportunity to English Learners: Lau v. Nichols (1973), Castaneda v. Pickard (1981), Plyer v. Doe (1982).
    • In compliance with federal and state law, Sycamore Community Schools provides services to English Learners (ELs) who qualify for ESOL services.
    • For more information on these laws, please visit this website which provides information on the legal provisions for the education of English Language Learners. 

    Ohio Department of Education/Lau Resource Center (click here to be redirected to ODE/LAU)

    • Ensures equal opportunities for English Learners in the state of Ohio.

  • For English Learners (ELs) identified as having a disability, a child’s classroom teacher, ESOL teacher, and Sycamore Community Schools will take steps to make sure that the child receives the correct instructional services required to meet his or her individual education plan (IEP).

    To ensure every child’s educational needs are met, the following will occur:

    • The ESOL teacher will serve as an active participant on the school’s IEP team and will complete the IEP addendum for Limited English Proficient students.
    • The IEP addendum will identify the EL support which will be provided to address the IEP objectives.
    • The IEP addendum will be attached to the child’s IEP.

    NOTE: Parent notification is in compliance with ESSA.

     

    For more information, visit Sycamore's Special Education web page (click here) and also the Ohio Department of Education website by clicking here.