Studies demonstrate that when parents are actively involved in their children's education, the attitudes, behaviors, and achievement of students are positively enhanced.

Westwood encourages involvement through volunteers, a parent organization, the Family Resource Center, the Community Learning Center, and the many activities that parents help with during the school year.

In order to build an effective home-school partnership, Westwood Elementary will do the following:

• Hold an annual Title I meeting and Open House where parents are informed of their right and responsibility to be involved in their child's education, discuss student academic standards and assessments. Parents meet their child's teacher and are provided literature on programs the school and community provides.
  
  
• Offer a flexible number of meetings to assist parents in how they can help their children reach their potential during the school year.These include grade level meetings, meetings afterschool, and home visits.
  
  
• Conduct one scheduled parent conference is held in October where the progress of the student is discussed as well as the expectations for the grade level, state standards, school curriculum, assessment data, and any other concerns the teacher or parent may have. A student-parent-teacher compact is signed at this meeting which shows that improving learning is a shared responsibility.
  
  
• Communicate with parents regarding the school and student achievement through the TN Report Card, Parent and Student Handbook, Home and School Connection, calendars, PAT news, and student report cards. Notes home, reading logs, and Friday folders are regular reminders of student progress.
  
  
• Conduct a Title I Planning Committee Meeting to share the results of the annual parent survey, to discuss the year's highlights, to share the school's Report Card, to collect opinions and concerns of parents about the current program, to collect suggestions for improvement, and share topics for meetings that would meet the needs of parents.
  

Every effort will be made to communicate with parents in a format and language that is easily understandable. Parents and community members are always welcome at Westwood Elementary School.