Student Parent Compact

School-Parent Compact

Stratford STEM Magnet Middle School and the parents of the students participating in activities, services, and programs funded by Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) (participating children), agree that this compact outlines how the parents, the entire school staff, and the students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership that will help children achieve the State’s high standards.
This school-parent compact is in effect during the 2024-2025 school year.

Required School-Parent Compact Provisions

School Responsibilities

Stratford STEM Magnet Middle School will:

• Provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables the participating children to meet the State’s student academic achievement standards as follows:
  • Align our instruction to the scope and sequence as provided by the district and achieve our academic goals as stated in our key performance indicator (KPI) of achieving academic growth on the district’s universal screener where 100% of students who are present 90% of the academic year are expected to meet their growth goal. This we will do by meeting with our students and having regular data conversations with students and meeting with parents when students are struggling. We will work to identify strategies and resources to help our students achieve. Stratford will place students who need extra help in additional math or English classes each day in a designated time slot known as PLT (personal learning time).
• Hold parent-teacher conferences to discuss the three discipline’s focus at Stratford STEM Magnet Middle School as it relates to each individual child’s academic achievement, attendance and behavior. Specifically, those conferences will be held:
  • The conferences will be held on 10.25.24. Teachers will schedule a virtual conference hour each nine-weeks to meet with any student failing two or more content areas. In addition, teachers will contact parents as needed and in accordance with MNPS Grading Policy.
• Discipline of Academics: The school will ensure that grades are updated bi-weekly. Two to three grades each week: (1) Homework which accounts for 10% of the student’s grade (1) Formative assessment which accounts for 0% of the student’s grade. This assessment is used as a check for understanding to monitor and adjust instruction to improve student academic outcomes (1) Summative assessment which accounts for 90% of the student’s grade (summative is the culminating activity/product/test in which a student demonstrate their level of understanding). Grading scale can be found on the district website.
• Discipline of Behavior: The MNPS Discipline Table (which is available to parents on the district’s website) will be utilized to determine consequences for inappropriate behavior. Parents will be notified of behavior by phone, email and/or discipline referral sent home with student. A support and intervention matrix will be developed with district staff and shared with parents each semester and placed on the school’s website. Live School will be used as a positive behavior incentive program.
• Discipline of Attendance: State law requires students to be in attendance 90% of an academic school year. If a student misses 18 or more days of the 180 days in an academic year, he/she is considered truant. Students/Guardians will receive notifications each time a student accumulates five absences whether they are excused or unexcused. For any student missing 18 or more days, unless there is a documented medical condition, there will be a truancy petition submitted.
• Provide parents with frequent reports on their children’s progress. Specifically, the school will provide official reports:
  • Provide progress reports on 9.4.24, 11.12.24, 2.4.25, 4.18.24
  • Provide copies of report cards on 10.22.24, 1.14.25, 3.25.25, 5.22.25 {English Language Learners and Exceptional Education students will have teacher comments to explain their report card grade}
• Provide parents reasonable access to staff. Specifically, staff will be available for consultation with parents as follows:
  • Stratford STEM Magnet Middle School grade level faculty share common planning times. Should a parent wish to arrange a meeting with teachers, please call the school secretary or email the teacher to arrange a meeting.
• Provide parents opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child’s class, and to observe classroom activities, as follows:
  • There are several opportunities throughout the school year where parents and volunteers may help in the classroom – other virtual opportunities will be made available throughout the year and communicated through email, and the district’s communication system – Parentlink. 

School Parent Compact

Our Parent Compact is an agreement between the school, parents and students that firmly unites us. The School-Parent Compact was developed jointly with school staff, students, and parents. As a school-community, Stratford STEM Magnet Middle School will focus its School-Parent Compact on the three discipline foci (academic, behavior and attendance) to support all students and help them reach proficiency or beyond in literacy, mathematics, science and social studies. Below are ways each team member will be accountable for helping to achieve this goal.

School Staff/Teachers Will:

• Provide high quality, rigorous, "best practices" instruction daily.
• Turn in weekly lesson plans after meeting with academic coach or dean of instruction.
• Use student achievement data to make instructional decisions and to address the diverse learning styles of students.
• Obtain an AVID Certification during the fall semester.
• Maintain accurate grades and update grades bi-weekly for parent accessibility on Family Portal.
• Create a positive learning environment for all students to experience success.
• Welcome parents as partners in the professional development experiences that continue to improve classroom instruction.
• Invite parents to our School Leadership Meetings held monthly.

Families/Parents Will:

• Ensure that my child attends school regularly and on time. Limit the number of late arrivals and early dismissals. School begins at 8:55 a.m. and ends at 3:55 p.m.
• Register for Remind and access the Family Portal to stay abreast of the school’s and my child’s progress.
• Support Stratford STEM Magnet Middle School and offer ideas to improve the educational process.
• Provide a safe and positive place for my child to do his or her assignments.
• Welcome teachers as partners in the education of my children.
• Participate in opportunities to learn about the school, needed services, and ways to support my child.
• Talk with my child daily about his or her school experience.

Students Will:

• Attend school regularly and on time.
• Support Stratford STEM Magnet Middle School and ask for help when needed.
• Complete assignments given by teachers and stay engaged in classes.
• Welcome teachers and parents as partners in my academic success.
• Participate in school activities and always try my best.
• Talk with my parent(s) guardian(s) daily about my school experience.
• Follow school discipline rules and procedures.