Contextual+Narrative+1

You have completed your self-assessment responses to the indicators and questions contained in this standard and have identified the kind of evidence that a visitor to your school could find to substantiate your self-assessment. **__This part of the self-assessment provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon your responses in this standard and draft a narrative describing the school’s unique context as it relates to this standard. To assist you in crafting the narrative the following questions are offered: __** **__1. As you review the responses to the indicators and rubrics, what major trends, themes, areas of focus, or goals emerge that cut across this standard. __** TRENDS/THEMES:
 * Standard 6- Contextual Narrative **
 * The school has many channels of communication with parents and the community -
 * Most parents feel the school effectively communicates with parents although there is room for improvement
 * Community members are very active within the school and offer support and expertise in a wide variety of ways- base command support is exceptional, (parent attendance mandated for active duty personnel and strongly encouraged for civilians on orientation day, parent teacher conferences) community members consistently volunteer their knowledge and skills throughout the school in many different areas.
 * Teachers and staff effectively communicate expectations for student learning
 * Gradespeed is vital tool in communicating useful and meaningful information about student performance

AREAS OF FOCUS: 6.1 Operational: The rating operational was designated as a result of reviewing feedback from parents and community organizations. Feedback from parents and organizations was overwhelmingly positive as evident in the “Observations” section of the Indicator 6.1 worksheet. In fact, the feedback could even be used to justify a highly functional rating. However, we are still learning and striving to perfect our system for establishing more collaborative programs with all stakeholders. Feedback suggests that the schools needs to focus on expanding the schools Booster/PTA Club, Mentor Program, and reach out more to single employees and childless couple who might be interested in volunteering but have not heard of opportunities to assist with school programs. __Narrative Draft #1__ Overall, Alconbury Middle High School does a good job informing and involving all stakeholders. Community members are actively involved in school activities and lend their expertise in a variety of ways, and the command support of the school is exceptional. AMHS has multiple channels of communication, both formal and informal to solicit stakeholder input and disseminate important information. The evidence provided demonstrates that staff effectively communicate student expectations and progress to both students and parents. Gradespeed is a vital resource in communicating useful and meaningful information about student performance and the school is working hard to make sure all parents and students make full use of this resource. AMHS needs to continue to encourage more community participate in formal communication funcions such as School Advisory Council, School Advisory Board, Parent-Teacher Conferences, and Booster Club.
 * low parent participation and attendance in formal communication events (ie. SAB, SAC, Booster Club, parent-teacher conferences, etc...)
 * Not all parents and students utilize to Gradespeed
 * Not all parents read the Dragon Tales

**__2. How will you use the insights gained from this self-assessment to inform and enhance your improvement efforts related to this standard? __**

INFORM/ENHANCE IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS:
 * Encourage more parent participation and attendance in formal communication events (ie. SAB, SAC, Booster Club, parent-teacher conferences, etc...)
 * Continue to better utilize Gradespeed as a communication tool by ensuring all parents and students have access
 * Expand collaborative efforts to get more nonparents involved with schools programs.

__Narrative Draft #2__ Alconbury Middle High School will use the information and insights gained in this self assesment in a variety of ways to continue to improve communication and invovlement with all stakeholders. Recent efforts have already significantly improved attendance at Booster Club meetings and continued efforts will be made to increase participation in other formal communication events such as School Advisory Board and School Advisory Council meetings and parent-teacher conferences. The school also needs to increase parent and student use of Gradespeed. Expanding involvement of non-parent community members in school activities is also an area that can and should be improved.