Parental Involvement

Coal Creek is able to provide an enriched learning environment for our students with the generous help of volunteers. There are many kinds of volunteer opportunities. Some are ongoing; others are specific to a particular event. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their children's education as a classroom, school or district level volunteer whenever possible.

Parents take part in the educational process in many ways including School Improvement Team (SITeam), Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and task-oriented committees such as curriculum, budget, and technology. Existing committees may vary from year to year. In addition, ad hoc committees are formed from time to time to deal with specific issues. These committees are open to all interested parents.

Collaborative Decision Making

One of the primary ways to be involved is to participate in collaborative decisions which are shared among administration, staff, parents and students through the use of the following decision-making model. PTA and SITeam regularly participate in shared decisions.

The decision making process includes:

Identify issues and gather information.
Generate multiple options.
Discuss and weigh pros and cons of issues and options.
Understand issues. Prioritize the desirability and feasibility of options.
Obtain feedback.
Evaluate and assess feedback
Make decisions and modify them to include needs of participants.
Implement the change.

Decisions are made within an environment that:

Is invitational.
Encourages questioning.
Shows respect for others' opinions and viewpoints.
Expects responses to be listened to and thought about.
Expects open minds.
Is informal with a problem solving structure that is based on trust and professionalism.
Includes frequent written and oral communication.
Accepts responsibility for outcome and implementation.

Educational decisions are made at both the school level and at the district level. To contribute to district decisions, each site participates in gathering information and making recommendations on important issues such as budget, implementation of curriculum, interviewing and making recommendations for hiring.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers support student learning, assist teachers, and provide supervision. Being a classroom volunteer requires a commitment, as well as an understanding that some of the work you may do is confidential. More than one hundred fifty parents are currently volunteering their time to help students as crossing guards, reading partners; checking out books in the library, encouraging safety on the playground, doing clerical work, maintaining computers--and in many more ways!

School Organizations

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Coal Creek has a very active PTA. Throughout the school year, the PTA sponsors various fund raisers. With the money raised, educational activities are supported and enhanced. In addition, our PTA organizes and coordinates volunteers for events during the year. Currently, PTA and SIT are meeting together on the first or second Monday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.. All Coal Creek parents are welcome and encouraged to join. There are no membership dues. Contacts: Cheri Williams, Judy Walden, Lisa Weaver, Jamie Calstrom, Liz Beasley, Barb Lawrence, Wendy Webster.

School Improvement Team (SITeam)
The School Improvement Team provides a forum for parents, teachers and administrators to enhance the educational experience of students through the process of goal setting, accountability and collaborative decision making. In compliance with state standards, School Improvement Teams provide the community with school level accountability. Issues such as curriculum, programs, communication and budget are discussed. Membership is open at any time to interested persons. Meetings are held on the first or second Monday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the library. Contact: Michele Hibl, Lisa Kihn.

Focus Groups
Focus groups are periodically used as one form of communication. Focus groups generally meet on a one-time basis to discuss a single identified topic of community interest. The purpose of the focus groups is to share and gather information. Focus groups are open to any interested families. The groups are small so that all may actively participate in the dialogue. Focus groups are formed on an as-needed basis and are publicized in the bimonthly newsletter.

Study Groups
Faculty study groups meet on an ongoing basis to gather information on a topic or to solve a problem for the school. In addition, specific study groups may be sponsored by the School Improvement Team. This type of group requires a short term commitment that lasts the duration of the research or until there is a recommendation for a solution. Participation in a study group requires a commitment to gather information and to consider information from many points of view. Frequently it requires an additional commitment to write up the group's findings, communicate those findings, and to follow through with the intended solution. Available study groups are publicized in the bimonthly newsletter.

District Committees

At the district level, parents may be involved through participation on a variety of committees including:

District Accountability Committee (D.A.C.)
This group oversees the accountability and accreditation process in the school district and ensures parent and community member input. Contact: Krissie Reetz

District Parent Council (D.P.C)
Representatives from each school facilitate communication among school parent groups and provide a communication network between parent groups and central administration. Contact: Becky Karch

Special Education Advisory Council (S.E.A.C.)
S.E.A.C. assists, consults with, and advises the Director of Special Education on matters pertaining to special education needs of students.

Multi-Ethnic Education Advisory Committee (M.E.A.C.)
M.E.A.C. assists, consults with, and advises the Superintendent and Board of Education on matters pertaining to multi-ethnic issues for our district.