2003-2004 OFFICIAL APPLICATION

K - 12

SECTION I

Name of School District ________________________________________________________________

Superintendent________________________________________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________________________________________

City _____________________ State ______ Zip ___________ Telephone ( ___ ) __________________

District School Volunteer Coordinator _____________________________________________________

E Mail _______________________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________________________

City _____________________ State ______ Zip ___________ Telephone ( ___ ) __________________

Name of School Nominated _____________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________________________

City _____________________ State ______ Zip ___________ Telephone ( ___ ) __________________

Program Sponsors:

Florida Department of Education

and

The Florida Council for Community Involvement in Education

SECTION II

Both the letter and spirit of the school improvement and accountability legislation are built upon the active

involvement of parents, guardians, business people, and other community members in efforts to improve

Florida's schools. The legislative intent is to return the responsibility for education to those closest to the

students. That is the schools, teachers, and parents. Recognizing that the involvement of the community is

vital to student success, the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner’s Community Involvement

Council have established the Five Star School Award.

This symbol of achievement is presented each year to those schools that have shown evidence of exemplary

community involvement. Eligible schools are designated annually and must be renewed each year. Schools

that achieve this designation will receive the Florida Department of Education’s highest award for community

involvement.

In order to qualify for this award, a school must achieve 100% of these criteria in the categories of Business

Partnerships, Family Involvement, Volunteers, Student Community Service, and School Advisory Councils.

The school must also have a portfolio that documents the achievement of each criterion.

A school must have a grade of “C” or above to qualify for the Five Star School Award.

Place a check mark in the blank preceding each criteria to indicate accomplishment.

I. Community/Business Partnership

a. ___ Each Community/business/agency signs an annual, jointly developed plan of partnership activities.

b. ___ Community/business/agency maintains an ongoing, active relationship with school.

c. ___ Community/business/agency is involved in development and implementation of School Improvement

Plan.

d. ___ Community/business/agency partnership supports teaching and learning through the donation of human

resources and goods/services or financial resources.

e. ___ School designates a community/business partnership coordinator.

f. ___ School provides opportunities for community/business partners to receive orientation and training.

g. ___ Community/business partnership coordinator and school staff receive training during the year on

effective use of services by business partners.

h. ___ School provides recognition of community/business partners.

II. Family Involvement

a. ___ Active parent organization (PTA, PTO, Boosters, etc.)

b. ___ Education opportunities offered to families (i.e. Sunshine State Standards, literacy, career planning,

parenting, homework assistance, etc.)

c. ___ Focus/discussion/support groups offered to families (parenting, drug awareness, safety, and violence

prevention, etc.)

d. ___ Joint parent and student training (i.e. academic skills

family reading, violence prevention, financial aid,

etc.)

e. ___ Family outreach activities offered through collaborative or facilitated activities (neighborhood meetings,

tutorial services, off-site programs, etc.)

f. ___ A minimum of 60% of families are involved in a positive way in the school more than once during the

year.

g. ___ Evidence of a variety of communication techniques with families by teachers and school staff.

___

Ensure that welcome signage is near the entrance and any other interaction with parents creates a

climate in which parents feel valued and welcome.

i. ___ Provide parents with current information regarding school policies, practices and both school and

student performance.

III. Volunteers

Meets criteria of Golden School Award. These include:

a. ___ A minimum of 80% of the school staff have participated in school based volunteer training during the

school year.

b. ___ School volunteer coordinator has been designated to provide leadership for the school volunteer

program through recruitment, placement, training, and supervision of participants.

c. ___ Total number of hours in volunteer service equals twice the number of students enrolled in the school.

(Any volunteer activity that contributes to student improvement may be counted.)

d. ___ School provides recognition of volunteers.

IV. Student Community Service

a. ___ School provides opportunities to students for service learning that focus on an identified community

needs (i.e. renovating a park, working at election polls, feeding homeless, etc.)

b. ___ A minimum of 50% of students are involved in community activities (i.e. pen pals to shut-ins, food

drives, cross school tutoring activities, etc.).

V. School Advisory Councils

School Advisory Councils/School Decision Making

___ Minimum of 8 meetings per year. Average 80% attendance of members.

b. ___ Annual presentation of School Improvement Plan to school community after public notice to all

stakeholders (school marquee, flyers, etc.).

c. ___ Evidence of ongoing training and/or development of the School Advisory Council.

d. ___ School Improvement Plan reflects one new idea that involves the community in its implementation.

e. ___ School Advisory Council participated in the development and/or interpretation of the needs assessment

data.

___

Provide training for staff and SAC members on collaborative partnering and shared decision-making.

Documentation of Accomplishment

A portfolio documenting the accomplishment of each of the criteria is available at the school site.

Yes

School Impact Data

What proof can you provide that the community's involvement with your school improved the student's

academic work, attendance or behavior?

Community Involvement Best Practice

Summarize a community involvement best practice initiated by your school to increase student achievement.

We hereby certify the information contained in this application is true to the best of our knowledge and

belief.

(Signature of Individual Preparing Application Form)

(Title)

(Address)

(Telephone)

(Signature of District Volunteer Coordinator)

(Signature of Principal)

(Signature of Superintendent or Designee)

(Signature of School Advisory Council Chairperson)

Address)

(Telephone)

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Please check the following before returning this

application:

Have you checked every criteria?

Have you clearly identified school district,

district school volunteer coordinator and school

nominated with complete address and telephone

information?

3. Has the application been signed by the person

preparing the application and superintendent of

the school district?

MAIL TO

your District School Volunteer

Coordinator. The coordinator will verify that all

criteria have been met and forward your application

to The Department of Education by June 25, 2004.