PARENTAL FOCUS

 

The founders of the W.E.B. Du Bois Academy Charter School firmly believe that active parental involvement in the governance of the school is critical to the success of our students.  Our goal is  not only to create an open and welcoming environment for parents, but also to eventually build support programs which can assist parents in developing the skills they need to become more informed and engaged partners in their children’s educational growth. Ultimately, it is our objective to develop an effective educational alternative to the existing public school system within the Queens, New York community, and we fully acknowledge the essential role of parents.

 

The following list outlines some of the elements that the founders of the Academy believe are the critical success factors in creating an effective educational process:

 

  1. A focus on the academic and personal development of students in order to  develop in them (a) an awareness of the  connection between actions and results and (b) a realization  that getting a good education has a valuable payoff

 

  1. Required and enforced teacher certification supported by training and development opportunities for degree advancement, certificates, and continuing education credits in order to ensure competence in the classroom,  

 

  1. Continuous, challenging curriculum development that is relevant to the professional and social skill sets required in contemporary life

 

  1. Core academic standards which meet or exceed New York State requirements and which are not compromised for budget-driven reasons

 

  1.  A demonstration of student competence in core subjects through written and oral presentations

 

  1. A community-based perspective incorporated into an educational experience that reflects the diverse cultures, religions, ethnic groups, traditions, mores, and customs  of the community which the Academy serves

 

  1. A focus on the personal enrichment of our students through a rigorous curriculum that challenges them (a) to do their best and not settle for less than excellence and   (b) to understand the true value of knowledge as a tool to broaden their intellectual, political and social skills.

 

  1. The effective engagement of students in courses in literature, languages, communications, economics, political science, computer science, mathematics, sociology, fine arts, history, business law, and citizenship education in order to provide them with the requisite knowledge base to insure future success

 

  1. Parent involvement which is ongoing, required, monitored and incorporated into our educational and support programs in order to ensure parental understanding of our teaching objectives, our performance benchmarks, and the academic and personal development of their children

 

  1. Cultural enrichment programs which, through coursework, lecture series, seminars, guest speakers, workshops, and field trips will strengthen and expand  students’ understanding of themselves and the world around them

 

  1. Emphasis on exposing students to the immense diversity of the human experience in all of its forms.

 

  1. Learning of the many historical accomplishments and contributions of all people so that students  gain a greater sense of their ancestral place in history, and a stronger, more confident self-concept

 

  1. Strong leadership from the Board of Trustees, administrators, teachers, parents, and community leaders whose sole interest is in the effective education of our youth in an environment that is equipped, safe, financially stable, and conducive to creating the legacy of a learning experience that generations of students who follow will want to become a part of

 

  1. Required community service to reinforce the purpose and intent of educational achievement by putting theory into practice and giving  students an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of others in our community

 

  1. Implementation of community service through volunteering, mentoring, tutorial and work-study programs

 

Outreach Efforts

 

The Du Bois Academy will make an extensive outreach effort to inform families living in southeast Queens about the school.  It is our intent to have the school not only representative of the community in which we are located, but also reflective of the wide range of ethnic, racial, cultural, religious, and economic backgrounds in New York City.  The nature of our outreach efforts will help to ensure our goal of a diverse school community.  Our outreach efforts will include, but not be limited to:

 

  • Contact with guidance counselors in local public and private schools

 

  • Contact with profit and not-for-profit institutions in the community

 

  • Contact with religious institutions in the community

 

  • Utilization of census and other demographic information for direct mailings to families

 

 

  • Placing flyers and posters in local businesses and in community organization locations

 

  • Advertisements in community newspapers

 

  • Public meetings and forums

 

If you are the parent of a child in elementary school, and are interested in working with us, we would love to hear from you!  Please e-mail us at:

 

                                           Info@WEBDu BoisAcademy.org