Promising Practices

Estill County Middle School

Back to School Night

A successful activity sponsored through a collaboration of partners is the Estill County Middle School "Back to School Night". All parents and students are invited to the evening event which is held prior to the beginning of school. There are a cookout and door prizes. Information is available at the GEAR UP booth for parents and students about school activities and the GEAR UP program. There is also an information booth set up by our local health department with school immunization information and other health related programs. The Prichard Committee also sets up a booth to talk with parents about parent leadership. CIPL (Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership) parents come in and serve our food and promote the CIPL program. Students are able to pick up their schedules, tour the building, and meet faculty members. It is our goal to help parents feel more at ease in our school and to help them have as much information about school based programs as possible and to assist our students in making a successful and comfortable transition into the next grade level.

Participation has gradually increased over the past two years. Before GEAR UP's participation in this event, our school was experiencing about a 25% participation of parents and students. The first year of GEAR UP's involvement in the "Back to School Night", participation rose to 55% and last year it had risen to 71%.

The cost of this event can be minimal with partnerships providing assistance and resources. Food is the major expense and for a school of 600+ students it costs us about $300.00 for food. Door prizes can be donated by local businesses. The Youth Service Center also provides an excellent resource for this program as well.

Standards and Indicators for Success:

• Standard 1.1.d There is evidence of vertical communication with an intentional focus on key curriculum transition points within grade configurations (e.g. from primary to middle and middle to high)
  
  
• Standard 5.1.a Families and the community are active partners in the educational process and work together with the school/district staff to promote programs and services for all students.
  
  

Contact Information:

Mike Flynn, YSC Director
Estill County Middle School
2805 Winchester Rd.
Irvine, KY 40336
(606) 723-6840
mflynn@estill.k12.ky.us