Annual Title I &

Family Engagement Meeting

2025 - 2026

Poplar Grove School

August 20, 2025

Janet Carroll

&

Dr. Josh Bracamontes

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What Is Required?

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• Each school receiving Title I, Part A funds is required to convene an annual meeting.
• The purpose of this meeting is to inform parents and families of the school’s participation in the Title I program and the right of families to be involved.
• The annual meeting for schoolwide programs should include all of the parents and families of a Title I, Part A school.
• The annual meeting for targeted assistance programs should target and include only the families of the students identified to receive Title I, Part A services.
• For questions and more information about the annual Title I meeting, see our Q&A sheet.

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The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that each Title I school hold an annual meeting of Title I families in order to:

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• Inform you of your school’s participation in Title I
• Explain the requirements of Title I
• Explain your rights as parents and family members to be involved.

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Why are we here?

What is a Title I school?

What are my rights?

What can Title I funds be used for?

How does our school use Title I funds?

What is the SIP?

What are our schoolwide program goals?

How is parent and family engagement funded?

What is the Parent and Family Engagement Policy?

What is the School-Parent Compact?

What curriculum does our school use?

What tests will my child be taking?

How can I be involved?

Who can I contact for help?

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What will I learn?

What is a Title I School?

Title 1 schools receive extra funding (Title I dollars) from the federal government. These dollars are used to:

• Identify students experiencing academic difficulties and provide assistance to help these students
• Purchase additional staff, programs, materials, and/or supplies, and
• Conduct parent and family engagement meetings, trainings, events, and/or activities.

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Title I was passed in 1965 under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). It is the largest federal assistance program for our nation’s schools. It was reauthorized in 2015 as ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act).

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• Be involved in decisions made at both the school and district level.

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What are my rights?

• Request opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions about the education of your child. The school is required to respond to any suggestions as practically possible.

• Be provided with information on your child’s level of achievement on tests in reading/language arts, writing, mathematics, and science.

• Request and receive information on the qualifications of your child’s teacher and paraprofessionals who are working with your child by contacting Human Resources.

The families and parents of Title I students have a right, by law, to:

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In general, Title I funds may be used for:

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• Smaller class sizes
• Additional teachers and paraprofessionals
• Additional training for school staff
• Extra time for instruction (before and/or after school programs)
• Parent and family engagement activities
• A variety of supplemental teaching materials, equipment, and technology

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What can title 1 funds be used for?

How does our school use title i funds?

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In 2025-2026, PGES and PGMS schools were allotted approximately $52,000 and $46,000 in Title I funding. We developed a Schoolwide Program, which means we plan to spend our funds on the following:

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Supplemental Staff

• 1-Part time paraprofessional for PGE

Program/Materials/ Supplies

• Professional Learning
• Family Night Materials
• Online subscriptions
• Instructional Materials
• Technology Equipment

What is the sip?

• The SIP is the School Improvement Plan.
• It includes:
• The identification of the school planning team and how they will be engaged in the planning process
• A needs assessment and summary of academic and non-academic data
• Prioritized goals, strategies, and action steps to help address the academic and non-academic needs of students
• Teacher and staff professional development needs
• Budgets and the coordination of resources
• The school must include family representatives on our school planning team

What are our PGES schoolwide program goals?

• Improve literacy achievement
• Improve math achievement
• Increased support for ELL and SWD subgroups

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What are our PGMS schoolwide program goals?

• Improve Literacy achievement and growth
• Improve Math achievement and growth
• Targeted academic support for Hispanic subgroup

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What is a parent and family engagement policy?

• These plans address how the district and school will implement the parent and family engagement requirements of ESSA. Components should include:
• How parents and families can be involved in decision-making activities
• How parents and family engagement funds are being used
• How information and training will be provided to families
• How the school will build capacity in families and staff for strong parent and family engagement
• You, as a Title I parent or family member, have the right to be involved in the development of these plans.

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What is a parent and family engagement policy? (cont.)

• The district Parent and Family Engagement Policy can be found on the district website under School Board, Online Policy Manual, Policy 4.502

https://fssd.org/familystudent-support/parent-and-family-engagement/

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• The school Parent and Family Engagement Policy will be shared through Parent Square and posted on our School Website in Parent Information.

https://poplargroveelementary.fssd.org/student-families/handbook

• Families are welcome to share comments and suggestions at any time. If you have something to contribute concerning this School-Parent Compact, please contact Janet Carroll carrolljan@fssd.org or Josh Bracamontes bracamontesjos@fssd.org.

What is a School-Parent Compact?

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• A school-parent compact is a written commitment that outlines how the entire school community - teachers, families, and students will share the responsibility for improved academic achievement.
• It must describe how the school will:
• Provide high-quality curriculum and instruction
• Hold parent-teacher conferences
• Provide parents with reports on their child’s progress
• Provide parents reasonable access to staff
• Provide parents opportunities to volunteer
• Ensure regular two-way meaningful communication between family member and staff, to the extent practicable, in a language family members can understand
• You, as a Title I parent or family member, have the right to be involved in the development of the compact.

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School-Parent Compact (cont.)

• The school-parent compact will be shared every year by September. In addition, the compact can be found on the PGES website under the Parents and Students tab.
• Website Link -

https://poplargroveelementary.fssd.org/

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• For PGMS the school-parent compact will be posted in under the About Us tab then clicking Title I Status
• Website Link - https://poplargrovemiddle.fssd.org/about-us/title-i-status

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What curriculum does our school use?

• The Tennessee Academic Standards provide a common set of expectations for what students will know and be able to do at the end of a grade for each subject area.
• Tennessee's academic standards form the framework for everything taught at Poplar Grove School.
• For more information about Tennessee’s academic standards, see:

https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/education/instruction/academic-standards.html

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• FSSD has adopted the following Curriculum Resources
• ELA- Wonders; Open Up, Savaas, Study Sync
• Math- Curriculum Associates, McGraw Hill, Big Ideas
• Science- Savaas, Realize
• Social Studies- Studies Weekly, Gallopade

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What tests will my child be taking?

What tests will my child be taking?

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We need you! Research has proven that family engagement in education has more impact on student achievement than any other factor.

To get involved with the SIP, Parent & Family Engagement Policy, or School Parent Compact reach out to Mrs. Carroll or Dr. Bracamontes

• carrolljan@fssd.org
• 615-790-4720

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• bracamontesjos@fssd.org
• 615 - 790-4721

How can i be involved?

Other ways families can be involved…

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1. Attend school sponsored events
2. Monitoring grades and schoolwork
3. Signing up as a volunteer
4. Joining PTO
5. Reading school and classroom newsletters
6. Staying engaged through social media with our
1. Facebook
2. Twitter
3. Instagram Accounts

What are the benefits of family engagement?

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For Students

• Higher grades and test scores
• Better attendance
• Positive attitudes and better behavior
• Higher graduation rates
• Greater enrollment in postsecondary education

For Parents and Families

• More confidence and trust in the school
• Increased confidence in parenting skills
• Creates a home environment that encourages learning
• Encourages families to form stronger relationships with teachers and other families

For Schools & Teachers

• Improved teacher & staff morale
• Higher ratings of schools and teachers by families
• More support from families
• Higher student achievement
• Increased and improved relationships within the community

What is the state report card?

• TDOE releases an annual Report Card on Tennessee schools.
• This report displays state-, district-, and school-level data for each school year.
• It includes information on demographics, achievement, academic growth, attendance, graduation rate and more.
• You can view the data statewide, or you can choose a specific district or school.
• You can view the report card here:

https://reportcard.tnedu.gov/

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Who can i contact for help?

Poplar Grove Elementary

615.790.4720

• For general questions call the front office at: 615.790.4720
• Principal, Dr. Erickson 615.790.4720
• Assistant Principal, Mrs. Carroll 615.790.4720
• Counselor, Mr. Keith Welch 615.790.4720
• Family Liaison, Ms. Jessica Ruiz 615.517.9807
• To reach your child’s teacher, call the front office or view our staff directory: https://poplargroveelementary.fssd.org/

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Who can i contact for help?

Poplar Grove Middle

• For general questions call the front office at: 615.790.4721
• Principal, Dr. Erickson - 615.790.4721
• Assistant Principal, Dr. Bracamontes - 615.790.4721
• Assistant Principal, Dr. Orman - 615.790.4721
• Counselor, Mrs. Caitlin Otto - 615.790.4721
• Family Liaison, Mrs. Teresa Reyes 615.540.3114
• To reach your child’s teacher, call the front office or view our staff directory: https://poplargrovemiddle.fssd.org/facultystaff/faculty-staff-dashboard

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THANK YOU!

We just want to say...