Parent
Involvement
Parent involvement is a valued part of a child's school experience.
Parents and/or guardians are required to enroll and participate
in the Parents as Learners (PALS) program. We encourage parents
to visit the Center any time, share observations and bring ideas
to staff members. Partnering relationships between parents and
staff ensure that the best possible care is given to each child.
A variety of other opportunities are available for parents
including:
- Day and evening chat/discussion groups with a BCC Parent
Educator
- Evening parent meetings
- Quarterly family events
- Volunteering in the classroom
- Assisting on field trips, classroom meetings, etc.
- Parent Advisory Council: Representatives meet to make recommendations
related to budgeting and fees, programs and services, and
center policies.
For Head Start families, there is also Head Start Policy Council.
- What is the Policy Council? Policy Council is a
group of parents who make important decisions about how the
whole PSESD (Puget Sound Educational Services District) program
should operate. Each Head Start center elects 2 or 3 parents
(one who votes-representative-and 1 or 2 back-ups-alternates.
Centers with Part Day, full Day and/or Early Head Start elect
parents from each).
- What kinds of decisions does policy council make?
*Who is eligible for Head Start
*Rules and procedures
*Budgets
*Who is hired to work at Head Start
*Pay rates for staff
*Where new Head Start classrooms will be located
- What will I gain from serving on policy council?
*Help your child and your center
*Make the whole Head Start program run better
*Make new friends
*Learn about how large organizations and budgets work
*Join with others to speak up for low-income kids and families
*Improve your skills as a speaker and as a leader
*Work with others in a group
- How often does policy council meet? The policy
council meets once a month, for 4 hours, usually the third
or 4th Wednesday of the month in Burien.
- What about child care costs and mileage costs?
You will be paid for these costs at a set rate.
- How long do I serve on the policy council? One
year, November to November.
- Is there training to help parents learn more about policy
council? There are 2 trainings. Generally held in October
and you are welcome to come to one or both.
- Who can I ask for more information? *Your Head
Start family advocate or Mary Fickes at PSESD 1-800-664-4549
x4004
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