Family Involvement & Resources
Using HSGC’s Website: A great way to be involved in your child’s school life is to utilize the school website, www.hs-gc.org. In our “Family Resources” section of the parents' handbook, you can find updated information on how to be involved in your child’s academic life and the life of the school community. You can find tips & resources for supporting your child’s academic progress on the school’s site and on the Department of Education’s website.
About DataCation: DataCation, a division of CaseNEX, LLC, offers an array of tools to help schools break down complex student data to inform and support instruction, professional development, curriculum planning, accountability, and policy. Whether a school, district office, or support organization needs to provide teachers with an online grade book, provide parents with homework assignments, or track high stakes student accountability data, the DataCation system is a cost-effective and essential tool for school success. Continuous school improvement is possible through the use of tools designed to capture and leverage best use of student information, school performance, teacher quality, and other powerful data. Our linked systems empower leadership, teachers, parents, and students by making it easy to view, analyze, and/or cross-reference data. Let us help your school to actively assess new needs, address performance gaps, increase transparency, and promote academic success. Our team will assess your district-specific situation through initial assessment and dedicated consulting days.
Purpose and Development: The DataCation software products were developed in response to educational district need for more efficient use of data by to meet the accountability provisions of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Prior to the creation and widespread use of some of the DataCation data portals, student data necessary for targeted remediation measures were not available to schools until after students’ graduation. The Graduation Eligibility Tracking System program finally made it possible for schools to be proactive in addressing student academic performance. School leaders used these systems to predict which students were academically at-risk. With this knowledge, educators were able to modify instruction, target remediation, and provide professional development in time to make a difference.
Parent Association
What is a PA/PTA? Parent Associations (PAs) are the main way for parents to get involved in their children’s schools. Parent Associations are school-based organizations open to all parents, foster parents, and legally appointed guardians of children currently attending a New York City public school. If a PA decides to include teachers, parent members can elect to become a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).
Every PA/PTA should be representative of the parents within its school. This includes parents of special education students and English language learners, as well as students who are eligible for Title I, gifted and talented services, and magnet programs.
PA/PTAs’ roles in schools: The PA/PTA helps parents become involved in their children’s education, share ideas, and enrich their school communities. While the specific roles of PA/PTAs vary, among their responsibilities are electing parent members to serve on School Leadership Teams and Community Education Councils, conducting outreach to get other parents involved in school life, and supporting school activities like Parent-Teacher Conferences, open houses, curriculum nights and District Family Day events. Each PA develops its own bylaws, elects officers, and holds regular meetings.
How do I join my school’s PA/PTA? All parents are automatically members of their school’s PA/PTA. For more specific information on how to get involved, ask your school principal. Hsgc pta email
Relevant Legislation: Under State Education Law, Section 2590, every New York City public school is required to form a Parent Association. All PA/PTA bylaws must comply with the current Chancellor’s Regulation A-660.
School Leadership Team
What is a School Leadership Team? School Leadership Teams (SLTs) are school-based organizations composed of an equal number of parents and staff. They meet at least once a month, and determine the structure for school-based planning and shared decision-making.
SLT members: SLTs must include as mandatory members: the school principal, the PA/PTA president (or designated co-president), the UFT chapter leader, and an equal number of parents and staff. High school teams must also include at least two students. SLTs may elect to include representatives from community-based organizations.
SLTs’ roles in schools: The core responsibility of each SLT is to develop the school’s Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP) that is aligned with the school-based budget. SLTs are strongly encouraged to solicit input from various school community constituencies in order to ensure that all voices are heard regarding the needs of students. Functioning in a collaborative manner, SLTs also help to evaluate the effectiveness of the school’s educational programs and their impact on student achievement. SLTs receive support and guidance as needed from their District Leadership Teams.
How do I join my school’s SLT? Parent members of an SLT are nominated by the school’s PA. Meetings open to entire school community , parent involvement is welcome and encouraged.
Relevant Legislation: Under State Education Law, Section 2590, all New York City public schools are required to establish School Leadership Teams. SLTs must comply with the current Chancellor’s Regulation A–655.