MAST Annual Title I News
October 2022
Purpose and Participation
MAST monitors the implementation of our Title I Plan and includes all stakeholders during planning, including parents, community members, and school staff. If you would like to serve as part of our Title I Planning Team, School Improvement Council, or make comments about the plan, please contact Lauren Phillips (Title I Curriculum Coach) or Heather Touchberry (Principal) by phone at 864.397.2200 or email at laurenphillips@pickens.k12.sc.us or heathertouchberry@pickens.k12.sc.us.
Title I Planning Members:
Heather Touchberry - Principal
Andrew Shipman - Assistant Principal
Lauren Phillips - Title I Curriculum Coach
Angela Spearman - Reading Coach
Andrea Atkins - parent
Tatiana Olarte- parent
Lawson Clary - Community Member
Kim Acker- Community Member
Whitney Moore - Pupil Services Personnel
Morgan Stancil - teacher
Rony O'Shields - assistant
McKenzie Martin - teacher
Brittany Clark - STEM teacher
Parent and Family Engagement
MAST hosts parent workshops and family nights, as well as conferences and PTO events. MAST also has a Parent Resource Center in the media center where parents can check out materials to use at home with students. Parents can contact Lauren Phillips or Heather Touchberry with any comments or suggestions regarding the school's parent engagement expenditures.
Click here to access our schedule of Family Events for the current school year.
Parent Right to Know
We are pleased to notify you that in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, you have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s teacher. Specifically, you may request the following:
● Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
● Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria has been waived.
● The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.
● Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.
If you would like to receive this information, please contact your child’s school to make a request for information.
Procedure for Responding to Parent Suggestions
It is the procedure of The School District of Pickens County that the staff of McKissick Academy of Science and Technology responds to all written and oral parent concerns, problems, recommendations, or commendations related to the Title I school program within 24 hours or by the next school day, whichever comes first. If needed or requested, school officials also inform parents or other interested parties of the issue/request. All issues related to Title I compliance submitted by parents or other interested parties are filed with the principal and with the Federal Programs Office.
Parent and Family Engagement Policy & Compact
The Parent and Family Engagement Policy explains how the school plans to work with parents to review and improve parent programs. This policy also describes ways that parents can participate in planning these programs.
The Parent/School Compact summarizes how parents, the school, and students will maintain a partnership throughout the year for improved student success.
Rough drafts of these documents were sent home for parent input. At conferences, parents will receive both documents and have the opportunity to ask more questions if needed.
What is a Title I School?
McKissick Academy 2020-2021 Title I Overview
- Employ: Title I Curriculum Coach, 2 classroom teachers, 1 teacher assistant, 10 additional days on the Reaching Coach's contract, Family Involvement Coordinator (bi-lingual), 5 contract days for planning for the Shark Tank teacher
- Classroom materials and technology apps to further support the SCCCR in ELA, Math, and STEM/PBL which also align with our district's goal of improving these areas.
- Implement family engagement nights and parent workshops
- Provide parents the opportunity to meet with with teachers for a conference twice a year
- Provide Professional Development for MAST teachers
- Provide time for teachers to analyze data
Communication
Schoology - SDPC uses this as our learning platform. This is where you can access student grades, assignments, and attendance information. You will also find school updates there, and you can message your child's teacher in Schoology as well.
Teacher E-mail - All teachers and staff have email addresses listed on the website.
Classroom Phones - All teachers and staff have phones inside their classrooms or offices. These phones receive calls before and after school hours. During school hours, you can leave a voicemail. For calls that need a more immediate response, such as transportation changes, please contact 397-2200. A list of extensions is available on our webpage.
School and Teacher Newsletters - Each week the school will send out a school newsletter called, Fins Up. Teachers will also send a weekly newsletter specific to your child's classroom.
Conferences - Teachers will meet with you regarding your child a minimum of twice a year. Additional conferences can be requested at any time.
McKissick Academy of Science and Technology
Email: laurenphillips@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: http://mast.pickens.k12.sc.us/
Location: 156 McKissick Rd. Easley, SC 29640
Phone: 864.397.2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MASTFINSUP
Twitter: @MASTFINSUP