The Family and Community Engagement Plan and all other  Title I information are available on our school’s website at https://www.gcpsk12.org/RichardsMS under the Title I Section. Families can also find paper copies of this Family and Community Engagement Plan in our Family Engagement Center. Parents may also request a copy from Kristina Fuller phone: 770.338.4815 or email: kristina.fuller@gcpsk12.org.

It is reviewed and revised at least annually during the Planning Meeting in the spring. All feedback forms from the Planning Meeting are submitted to the Office of Federal Programs for review.  Families who are not able to attend the Planning Meeting have the opportunity to review draft documents and provide input during the draft document review period.

Communication with our families and community is a priority at Richards Middle School. Whenever possible we translate documents into Spanish as well as provide interpretation during our meetings with families. In addition, we arrange for an interpreter in other languages for parent teacher conferences when necessary.

Our parent teacher conferences are twice a year, one in the fall and the other in the spring. Parents are also able to request to meet with teachers throughout the year by emailing the teacher or calling Richards Middle School's direct line at 770-995-7133.

Empathy: Cultural competence, staff and student wellbeing, educator diversity.

Equity: Multi-tiered system of supports, opportunity and access, equitable resource allocation.

Effectiveness: Results-Based evaluation system, talent management, educational return on investment.

Excellence: Preferred education destination, post-secondary and workforce readiness, world-class communication and engagement.  

We will provide all students with high quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment to meet high academic standards.

• Strategic Priority & Goal Focus #1: Empathy​
  • To maximize the teaching and learning experience, it is critical to prioritize the well- being of our staff and students.
• Strategic Priority & Goal Focus #2: Equity​
  • To close learning gaps we provide a multi-tiered system of intervention and enrichment supports.
• Strategic Priority & Goal Focus 3: Effectiveness​
  • Planning and working within a Results Based Evaluation framework enables teachers and leaders to set goals and monitor/measure student progress at key times during the school year.
• Strategic Priority & Goal Focus #4: Excellence​
  • Students in our school and families in our community deserve the very best educational experience we can provide for them.

It is a plan that describes how our school will provide opportunities to improve family engagement that will support student learning at school and at home. All students and their families are invited and encouraged to fully participate in the opportunities described in this plan. The school will provide information and as many opportunities as possible for the participation of all family members. 

It is a written agreement that outlines how the school, the students, and the family will work together to ensure your child’s academic success. An effective School-Family Promise contains the following elements:

• Clear learning goals that are linked to the school’s improvement plan
• Specific skills students will learn during the year
• Strategies that staff, families, and students will use to improve student learning
• Ways to extend learning at home
• Methods teachers and family members will use to communicate about student progress
• Opportunities for family members to observe and participate in the classroom
• Jointly-developed by families, school staff, students, community business partners, and other stakeholders during our Planning Meeting
• Reviewed and revised throughout the year
• The School-Family Promise will be shared at our Annual Meeting, during parent teacher conferences and other Title I events throughout the school year.

ENGAGING AND EMPOWERING FAMILIES WITH…

• Title I Program Information: Program information is available during the Title I Planning Meeting in the spring and Annual Parent Meetings in the fall, on the school website, and in the Parent Center.
• Curriculum Information: Knowing what your child is learning at school is important. We will keep you informed throughout the year about what your child is learning during parent meetings, conferences, eCLASS, and on our school website.
• Student Progress Monitoring: The ParentVUE is an online resource that allows families to view grades, attendance, schedules, assessment, and your child’s results, course history, and much more. Monitoring your child’s progress in school is an important way to be engaged.
• Parent Resources: We have many resources available for checkout to use at home with your child. We also host several parent workshops to empower you as you work with your child at home.
• Staff Training: We will train our staff to effectively communicate with you. Your input on how we train our staff is valuable.
• Communication: We will communicate, to the extent feasible, all information with you in a language and format you understand.  Whenever possible, we will provide interpreters during parent workshops, and academic events. Translation is available for most documents.
• Transition Support: Entering a new school can be scary for both students and families. We will host events to make sure both you and your child are aware of what is expected and how you can prepare as your child transitions to a new school level, college, and career.

Richards Middle School will…

• Increase opportunities for student voice throughout the school
• Provide additional support for students, such as morning tutoring, CQI tutoring, Remedial Education Plans, and gifted eligibility
• Set goals, monitor, and communicate student progress throughout the school year
• Offer multiple opportunities for families to participate and attend parent workshops, cultural celebrations, fine arts, and competitive sports
• Offer students varied and new opportunities to participate in academic, art, athletic, and career/technical experiences
• Update school and teacher online resources to support students’ academics at home

 Mark McCain                          May 15, 2024

Principal’s Signature                  Date

As Students, we will…

• Attend instructional events to learn new strategies
• Participate in additional support programs and opportunities for new academic, art, athletic, and career/technical experiences
• Utilize our eCLASS and other online resources shared with us to improve our academic skills
• Work with parents to practice the concepts provided during workshops and conferences

As Families, we will…

• • Attend academic workshops
  • Meet with teachers
  • Access online resources

Other ways we can communicate with our families:

• Monthly Newsletters
• eClass teacher pages
• School Website/ Facebook Page
• Emails and Phone Calls
• ParentSquare
• SonicView (Front Desk)
• Marquee sign

If you need interpretation and/or translation services, please contact: Kristina Fuller at kristina.fuller@gcpsk12.org or via phone at 770.338.4815.

Fall Semester

• Fall Semester Title I Annual Meeting
• Curriculum Night
• Technology/ Digital Awareness Night
• EL Program Information Workshop
• Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Spring Semester

• Spring Semester Instructional Night
• ACCESS Testing Information Workshop
• Black History Celebration
• GA Milestones Workshop
• 5th Grade Articulation

*Delivery method of activities to be determined

Parent Teacher Conferences:

October 23 – 24, 2024

March 5 – 6, 2025

• Title I is a federal program designed to support school reform efforts to improve teaching and learning for all students.
• Title I programs are based on effective means of improving student achievement and include strategies to support family engagement.
• The Title I Office reserves at least one percent of the district’s allocation to fund family and community engagement programs. The use of these funds is based on suggestions gathered at our spring Planning Meetings from families and community members. Funds are distributed equally to all our Title I schools.
• Childcare and/or transportation may be provided for meetings and school events.

The mission of Richards Middle School is to create positive learning environments where students are challenged to pursue academic excellence while maximizing their learning potential to prepare them for college, careers, and life.

Our Family Engagement Center has learning games, books, and many other resources available for families to checkout and use at home. Our Parent Instructional Coordinator is Kristina Fuller.  She is available to help you find resources, navigate the Parent Portal, connect with teachers, and learn about ways you can help your children at home.

Our Family Engagement Center is in room 1.144 close to the front office at RMS.

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Please contact Kristina Fuller for additional information about our Family Engagement Center and resources available for check-out.

770-338.4815 or kristina.fuller@gcpsk12.org

Richards Middle School offers many volunteer opportunities for our school family including areas such as the Media Center, Cafe, special events, mentoring, Family Engagement Center, and more. Please contact Kristina Fuller in the Family Engagement Center if you are interested in serving in any way