Parents as Partners

Parents play a vital role in the life of Southern Hills Academy. Parents are in partnership with the Faculty in the education of the children. They create an environment of warmth and care around the students through their service and good will. Parents also provide important assistance in the classroom, expanding the amount of contact students have with adults who love learning. Parents offer their expertise in projects which enhance the school facilities and grounds.

Children benefit from seeing their parents being supportive of teachers and working on the school's behalf. Parents who participate in activities feel more connected to the school and fellow parents. Together, parents and staff create an environment of enthusiasm, mutual respect and gratitude for the children, modeling a strong work ethic and responsibility.

Parents benefit, too, by seeing the lively integrated-curriculum and inquiry approach to learning put into practice by the teachers. This enables parents to promote the unique and dynamic education which is Southern Hills Academy's trademark.

Parent Partnership Promise

In order to demonstrate support for the school, every family makes a commitment to the following three Partnership tasks when they enroll their child(ren) at Southern Hills Academy:

1. Give hours of volunteer service or cash / Supplies for projects. if your oldest SHA student is in Kindergarten - High School, the promise is for 30 hours or $300. If your oldest SHA student is in preschool, the promise is for 10 hours or $100. Examples of volunteer tasks include:

• Help in classrooms
• Carpentry/construction
• Bulk mailings
• Business solicitations
• PR poster distribution
• Facilities Work Days
• Field trips
• Library
• Room Parent
• Event refreshments
• Athletics
• Technology support
• Staff Fair booths
• Chair a fundraiser
• Work a fundraiser
• Represent the school at community events or fairs

2. Make a monetary gift to the Annual Giving Campaign.

3. Agree to sell products or tickets on behalf of SHA fundraisers.
(We say, "Let's raise friends for Southern Hills Academy while we raise funds for our special projects.")

Volunteering in Classrooms

So that parents feel comfortable and confident assisting in the classroom, teachers will offer tips and directions for how to best help students. The Parent Partnership encourages all parents to assist in classrooms. Grandparents and extended family members are also invited to volunteer in the school. Cell phones must be turned off while working in the school or attending assemblies.

Recording Volunteer Hours

Parents are responsible for recording their own service hours in the VOLUNTEER LOG which his kept in the Office. Parents who are not able to volunteer in the school may make a $300 donation to the school instead. A third option is to give $300 in goods or services to the school.