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Paris Special School District

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Federal Programs Home

Welcome to the Federal Programs site for Paris Special School District. Please feel free to view our pages and the information within.
If you have questions regarding Federal Programs for PSSD, please contact:

Sherry Wagner, Federal Programs Director

731-642-9322 Ext. 8

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Title I

Federal Programs – Title I, Part A

Paris Special School District receives federal funding through Title I, Part A to support high-quality teaching and learning and to ensure all students have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to meet Tennessee’s academic standards.

Title I services in PSSD support academic achievement, meaningful family engagement, and equitable access to learning opportunities for students and families.

ABOUT TITLE I, PART A

 

Title I, Part A is a federal program designed to improve student achievement in schools with higher percentages of economically disadvantaged students.

PSSD FAMILY ENGAGEMENT COMMITMENT

 

PSSD believes strong partnerships between schools, families, and the community are essential to student success.

You are an important part of the Title I team! Parents and families help strengthen the program by:

  • Attending the annual Title I meeting at your school
  • Learning about your rights and responsibilities under the program
  • Providing feedback and suggestions to improve your school
  • Reviewing and supporting your school’s Parent & Family Engagement Policy and School-Parent Compact
  • Participating in school activities and decision-making opportunities

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                                                          Paris Special School District

                                    Family Engagement Policy/Plan

     

    The Paris Special School District (PSSD) recognizes that strong partnerships between schools, families, and the community are essential for improving student achievement. In support of strengthening student academic achievement, PSSD receives Title I, Part A funds and therefore must jointly develop with, agree on with, and distribute to parents and family members of participating children a written Family and Parent Engagement Plan in accordance with Section 1116 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

    This plan outlines how PSSD will engage families in meaningful ways in the development, implementation, and evaluation of district and school programs. It establishes expectations for family engagement and describes how the district will build the capacity of both families and staff to improve student academic outcomes.

    This plan is:

    • Jointly developed with parents and family members
    • Distributed annually to all families of participating students
    • Reviewed and revised annually to ensure continuous improvement and compliance

    FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN DISTRICT POLICIES AND PLANS

    District Family Engagement Plan

    PSSD will engage families in the development and annual review of this plan through:

    • District-wide surveys
    • Family engagement events
    • Parent feedback opportunities PSSD Family Engagement Opportunities

     

    The finalized plan will be distributed in multiple formats:

    • District and school websites
    • ParentSquare
    • Printed copies upon request

    District Improvement Plan (DIP)

    PSSD will include families in the development and review of the District Improvement Plan through:

    • Opportunities for parent input prior to board approval
    • Surveys and stakeholder meetings
    • Feedback collected during family engagement events

    School-Level Title I Plans

    Each PSSD school (Rhea Elementary, Paris Elementary, and Inman Middle School) will:

    • Conduct an annual Title I meeting
    • Provide opportunities for family input in schoolwide plans
    • Engage families through advisory groups and engagement activities

    DISTRICT SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

    PSSD will provide support to ensure effective family engagement practices across all schools, including:

    • Professional development for teachers, principals, and staff
    • Guidance on school-level engagement plans and compacts
    • Support from district leadership for implementation
    • Monitoring through school visits and review of engagement practices

     

    PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT FUNDING

    PSSD will allocate at least 1% of Title I, Part A funds to support family engagement activities.

    Families will be involved in decisions regarding the use of these funds through:

    • District and school surveys
    • Parent feedback meetings
    • Input during annual Title I meetings

    Information regarding the use of funds will be shared through:

    • School communications
    • Family engagement events
    • District website

    COORDINATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS

    PSSD will coordinate with community organizations to strengthen family engagement and support student success. Partnerships may include:

    • Early childhood programs (Pre-K and Kindergarten transition support)
    • Community organizations and local agencies
    • Postsecondary and career readiness resources
    • Local businesses and community groups
    • Health and social service providers

    FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

    PSSD will provide multiple opportunities for families to support student learning and meaningful family engagement, including:

    • “Taking It to the Streets” – Community-based outreach events held in local neighborhoods to increase access and engagement for families
    • Family Literacy Nights – Interactive events focused on building literacy skills and supporting reading at home
    • Family Movie Nights (Title I Events) – School-hosted events that incorporate literacy, school connection, and family engagement
    • Parent-Teacher Conferences and Academic Workshops
    • Access to digital communication and resources through ParentSquare
    • Parent-teacher conferences and meetings
    • Access to online resources and communication platforms

    BUILDING STAFF CAPACITY

    To strengthen family engagement, PSSD will:

    • Provide professional development on effective family engagement practices
    • Support staff in building strong family relationships
    • Incorporate engagement strategies into teacher training
    • Share effective practices across schools

    EVALUATION AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

    PSSD will evaluate the effectiveness of this plan annually through:

    • Parent and family surveys
    • Feedback from engagement activities
    • Review of participation data

    Results will be used to:

    • Revise the Family Engagement Plan
    • Improve district and school practices
    • Ensure alignment with student achievement goals

    Findings will be shared with families and stakeholders.

    OVERSIGHT AND MONITORING

    • The Director of Federal Programs will review the implementation of this plan annually
    • Principals will ensure school-level compliance
    • Evidence of engagement (agendas, sign-ins, surveys) will be maintained
    • Data will be reviewed through district improvement processes

     

    DISTRICT COMMITMENT

    The Paris Special School District is committed to fostering meaningful partnerships with families and the community to support student success and continuous improvement.