Grafenwoehr ES: Get Involved
Parent Involvement
Research demonstrates that parent involvement is essential for student success. Although you may not become involved in all committees and support organizations in the school, we encourage the following activities for your parental support:
- Join the school parent/teacher association (PTA) and participate in meetings and activities.
- Have lunch at school with your child regularly.
- Volunteer in your child's classroom.
- Establish a daily study time at home (even when there's no homework).
- Participate in the Continuous School Improvement (CSI) efforts at your child's school.
- Keep informed of school events and activities by reading school newsletters and your child's classroom newsletter.
- Communicate frequently with your child's teacher.
- Prepare for and participate in parent-teacher conferences.
- Ensure your child has a well-balanced breakfast and comes to school with completed homework, lunch money and school supplies.
Be a Volunteer!
Volunteers are always needed and are a part of the total school program. They assist in the classrooms, office, special subject and resource rooms, and educational support areas. If a parent is volunteering in a classroom, we ask that you please make alternative arrangements for siblings. They are not allowed in the room during the instructional day. We encourage active participation by parents in their child's education and while, younger children are precious, they may be distracting to students in the classroom. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your support. Check with you child's teacher for specific opportunities and to complete any necessary forms in addition to the ones below.
DoDEA Policy requires that prospective and current school volunteers shall be subject to a standardized application process that includes completion of an application form and standardized background checks. Volunteer applications are available in the school office or linked below. Please allow 5 business days for processing of all volunteer request forms. There are many volunteer opportunities for parents eager to get involved with their students education or for other interested community members.
Thank You for Volunteering!
Before you do, please fill out the required forms and turn them in to your local volunteer office.
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Grafenwoehr ES
Breanna Stidem Stone
Secretary
Phone: (0)6111 43 545-2061
DSN Phone: 545-2061
Calling from US: +49 (0)6111 43 545-2061
DoDEA Europe Advisory Councils
Parents, teachers, students, administrators, and military commanders share the responsibility to support the schools through advisory councils and boards. Participation in advisory councils and boards enhances and improves educational programs and services, as well as the overall quality of life shared by all Department of Defense (DoD) American overseas communities.
Dependents Education Council (DEC)
The DEC reports to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management Policy. Members include general or flag officers representing the commanders of unified combatant commands, major service commands, and the military services. Council members make recommendations on policy matters relating to facilities, logistics, and administrative support provided to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) by the military services.
European Schools Council (ESC)
The ESC is composed of European Command (EUCOM) Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy representatives. ESC work with subordinate command representatives to develop programs for improving dependents' education and recommend helpful initiatives to the DoDEA Director. The ESC chairperson also represents the European Command on the ACDE.
District Advisory Council (DAC)
The DAC advises the district superintendent on matters of interest to the district.
School Advisory Committee (SAC)
The School Advisory Committee (SAC) and School Advisory Board (SAB) are organizations that fosters participation in school affairs by members of the school and military communities and provides a coordinated process to address and resolve issues at the lowest practical level. SAC members advise the school principal on school matters, deal with issues brought to their attention by the school community, and establishes goals and objectives for the academic year.
SAC meetings are held at least four times a year and notices are sent to parents prior to each meeting. These meetings are public meetings, though they are not meetings of the public. Parents and staff members are encouraged to attend SAC meetings to learn more about school programs and issues, and are invited to submit items to SAC members to be placed on the meeting agendas. The function of the SAC is to make recommendations and advise the principal on:
- school policies, student activities, and administrative procedures
- instructional programs and educational resources within the school
- allocation of resources within the school to achieve educational goals
- administrative and logistical support services provided by the installation commander and applicable service commands
- policies and standards of the installation command and military services related to the above.
Neither the SAC nor the SAB addresses matters pertaining to personnel policies or practices, compensation of school staff, grievances or school employees, or internal management of DoDEA or their programs. If you have any questions or concerns about the school's curriculum or environment, give one of the SAC representatives a call (a list of current representatives is available in the office) or attend one of the SAC meetings.
Parent Involvement
Parents may become aware of problems that have not come to the attention of the school. They are encouraged to call the school or to bring these to the attention of members of the School Advisory Committee. By completing the SAC form or when sent in the Grizzly Growler. SAC meetings are held at least four times a year and notices are sent to parents prior to each meeting. These meetings are public meetings, though they are not meetings of the public. Parents and staff members are encouraged to attend SAC meetings to learn more about school programs and issues, and are invited to submit items to SAC members to be placed on the meeting agendas.
Parent Teacher Organization / Parent Teacher Association
The PTO/PTA is a group of parents and teachers working for a better school environment by providing both financial and volunteer support for our school programs. The PTO/PTA are able to sponsor a variety of activities that may include book fairs, school pictures, monthly birthday celebrations for all children, the sale of school t-shirts or many other events. The PTO/PTA consists of the following positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. In addition, there are several committee coordinator positions such as volunteer, spirit week, membership and box tops. If you are interested in volunteering, serving on the executive board, or being a committee coordinator, please contact the PTO/PTA.
PTO/PTA Objectives
The PTO/PTA is a non-profit, non-partisan, and non-sectarian organization. It cooperates with the school to support the improvement of education in ways that will not interfere with the education of students or the mission of the school and does not seek to control school policies. Specific objectives include:
- Providing a medium for exchange of information among parents, teachers, and other interested groups.
- Encouraging and developing programs and activities, which serve to enhance the quality of student education.
- Identifying and promoting opportunities for students to secure the highest advantage in their academic, physical, and social growth.
- Encouraging and maintaining a working dialogue between members, the local educational school system, the local government, and the community at-large on matters affecting the general welfare and education of students.
Membership is open to all parents and legal guardians of students attending the school as well as school staff. Contact the school for membership information.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Grafenwoehr Elementary School PTA is an integral facet of our school. The PTA board meets monthly. General membership meetings are usually on the 3rd Thursday of every other month. Times and locations will always be announced prior to the meetings. PTA coordinates fundraisers such as school photos, T-shirt sales, and a book fair. PTA uses the money from these activities to sponsor special projects and purchase materials for the school. We urge you to become an active member of Grafenwoehr Elementary School PTA. Dues for membership are collected each year, and may be paid at any PTA meeting. Board members are selected each spring and assume 35 their duties in May. Other parents are also needed to chair and facilitate a number of standing committees such as membership, T-shirt sales, school pictures, fundraisers, teacher appreciation week, field day, book fair, etc. Grafenwoehr Elementary School PTA is affiliated with the European Congress of American Parents, Teachers, and Students (ECAPTS). Become an active part of Grafenwoehr Elementary School.