Friday, September 07, 2007

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Coral Academy of Science has been piloting a home visit program for the past two years. This home visit program helped to promote understanding and built the kind of collaborative relationships between parents and teachers that leaded to improved student achievement. This year we included home visits in our school improvement plan because the teachers and administrators suggested the need of a more formal home visit program.

Research clearly shows that school programs, that emphasize family involvement and relate well to their community, have students who outperform those in schools lacking these qualities. Not only do students flourish, but also the schools are strengthened when families seize an active interest in their children’s educations. The results include (a) improved academic achievement, (b) better attendance, improved behavior, (c) higher quality of education, and (d) safe and disciplined learning environment. A new body of research by the Southwest Educational Developmental Laboratory found a positive and convincing relationship between family and community involvement and benefits to students, including academic achievement. Studies concluded that students with involved parents, no matter what income level or background, are more likely to have success in school.

Different than past years, Coral Academy is now officially supported by the Nevada Department of Education under Innovation and Prevention of Remediation Programs to increase the effectiveness and scope of the home visit program. This Year, half of the teachers are scheduled to participate in home visits. We also expect that at least half of the families will agree to the home visits. The home visits will be scheduled throughout the week. Parents will receive a phone call to schedule a visit in advance. There will be two staff members present in your homes during the visits.

We would like you not to miss this opportunity to contribute improving home-school relationships and to getting to better know who the teachers of your child are. Our teachers already started to contact you to get appointments at a time convenient to you. We strongly encourage you to contact teachers to invite them to your homes. They will update you with school events and programs while hearing more from you to help your child’s academic success here at Coral Academy of Science.

Sincerely,

Erdinc Acar

Executive Director