1. Rafael Hernandez School Home-School Compact Title 1 School Year 2011-2012

2. Rafael Hernandez School and the parents of the students participating in activities, services, and programs funded by Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, agree that this compact outlines how the parents, the entire school Staff, and the students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership that will help children achieve the State’s high standards. This school-parent compact is in effect during the 2011-2012 school year.

3. Schools Responsibilities The educators of Rafael Hernandez School recognize the powerful influence parents have in their children’s success and the positive effect they can have on school effectiveness. When parents are meaningfully involved in their child’s education., children achieve at a higher level and have more positive attitudes toward school. We, therefore, aim to create the appropriate climate and environment that makes parents feel welcomed and involved as partners in their child’s education at Rafael Hernandez School. Parent involvement is most likely to be successful when there is a high degree of expectation and when a variety of ways for a parent to be involved is provided. In order to guarantee, we at Rafael Hernandez School have provided a comprehensive [program of parent involvement that includes: 1) Frequent and clear communication from teachers to parents about pupil progress 2) Techniques to help parents create conducive home learning environments 3)Teacher assistance with educational activities at home 4) Use of parents as resources in the school (volunteers) 5) Involvement in school governance (SLC) Examples of the best practices include the following programs as a practical guide for improving school-home relationships. Parent/Teacher Conference (twice yearly) “Open house” nights (twice yearly) Monthly Parent Workshops (EPIC/Curriculum & Tech. Workshops) Report Card Night (Twice yearly) Parent Participation on the SLC Parent Line-computerized telephone system Volunteer Opportunities (cafeteria, playground & classroom) PTO meetings (Nightly & Daytime) Computer sites for school information (NPS & NJ Benchmark Website “Just For the Kids”) Participation in classroom activities (“Read Across America”/ Student Planner)

4. In conclusion, Rafael Hernandez School will provide high quality curriculum and instruction that enables our children to meet the state’s student academic achievement standards as follows: By providing strong instructional leadership which includes employing a highly trained staff, worthwhile staff development workshops, and supporting teachers in terms of classroom material, discipline, and parent-relations. By ensuring a safe and orderly school environment including the voluntary use of school uniforms By planning for school improvement through the study of data, which drives instruction and identifies area of need. By taking instructional accountability for learning of students. Parent Responsibilities We, as parents, will support our children’s learning in the following ways: Monitoring attendance. Ensuring that homework is completed. Monitoring amount of television children watch. Volunteering in child’s classroom. Participating, as appropriate, in decisions relating to my child’s education. Staying informed about my child’s education and communicating with the school by promptly reading all notices. Serving, to the extent possible, on policy advisory groups, such as, the School Improvement Team or other groups Student Responsibilities We, as students, will share the responsibility to improve our academic achievement and achieve the state’s high standards. Specifically, we will: Do my homework every day and ask for help when I need it. Read at least 30 minutes every day outside of school time. Give my parents or the adult who is responsible for my welfare all notices and information received by me from my school every day. __________________________________________ _____________________________________ School Date __________________________________________ ____________________________________ Parent Date __________________________________________ ____________________________________ Student Date