Strategy 18.7

1. Strategy 18.7 Final Update March 2012

2. Strategy 18.7 Ensure that no child is denied a learning or developmental opportunity at school due to socioeconomic circumstances.

3. Action Plan Update • Schools have added the following to each parent form that requests funds from parents: • Abox for parents to mark if they are in need of financial assistance to cover the cost of the activity/supply/etc. • A box for parents to mark if they wish to contribute additional money to support families in need of assistance.

4. Action Plan Update Continued • Elementary field trip fees have been capped at each grade level to $40.00 per year. • A suggested donation of $5.00 - $10.00 per year is asked of parents to cover classroom “fun” activities.  Parents are allowed to decide how much they want to contribute.

5. Action Plan Update Continued • Back to school supply costs capped at $45.00 per child • Grade level teachers evaluated each item required for their particular grade level • Pre-packaged school supplies offered at each school to reduce the cost of supplies

6. Action Plan Update Continued • Pricing changed for items/fees/supplies to encourage parents to round up and set aside the extra money collected for families in need of assistance. • Negotiated lower prices with vendors when purchasing planners, field trips, etc.

7. Action Plan Update Continued • $50 flat participation fee policy in place at the secondary level • In future consider moving to a structure designed on a “per activity” basis for the 2012-13 school year. • Discontinue the 6th grade Eagle Bluff trip and replace it with local, less expensive team building/connecting experiences

8. Action Plan Update Continued • PTA scholarship fund reviewed to ensure it effectively supports scholarship needs • Development of a one time, comprehensive scholarship request option targeted to family with free lunch status • Continue to not charge students for vocabulary books and student planners

9. Action Plan Update Continued • Ensure all staff have current information on methods to minimize barriers to full participation on the part of students. • Staff meeting to bring awareness about being thoughtful of the amount of money asked from families • Continually review current and newly proposed requests for items to be funded by parents.  Work to minimize expenses for parents.

10. Strategy 18.7 • Strategy 18.7 is considered operational. • Due to the nature of the strategy, ongoing analysis will take place on a building level to ensure that the spirit of the strategy is maintained.