PFE News- November 2025
Parent & Family Engagement Newsletter - November 2025
Why is Parent Engagement Important
Researchers have found that students who benefit from strong parental involvement have:
- Higher overall achievement.
- A higher completion level of homework.
- A higher level of self-esteem.
- Better social behavior and lower probability that they will get in trouble outside of school.
- Less probability of dropping out of high school.
Thank You
As we celebrate November as Family Engagement Month, it’s important to take a moment to thank all of our parents and guardians for your dedication to your scholar’s education and academic success. YOU are appreciated. WHEN FAMILIES ARE ENGAGED IN LEARNING, CHILDREN DO BETTER AND SCHOOLS GET BETTER.
Strive for 95 Attendance
The Griffin-Spalding County School System aspires towards positive student attendance outcomes, every day. Students learn most effectively and most abundantly when they regularly attend school to experience impactful instruction from their teachers, and participate in the learning experiences. The Strive for 95 Campaign includes action steps that are comprehensive, and include efforts to increase communication, awareness, stakeholder inputs, goalsetting and progress monitoring, reinforcements, interventions, and leverage external partnerships.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
· Advances equity by upholding critical protections for America's disadvantage and high-need students.
· Requires that all students in America be taught to high academic standards that will prepare them to succeed in college and careers.
· Ensures that vital information is provided to educators, families, students, and communities through annual statewide assessments that measure students' progress toward those high standards.
· Maintains an expectation that there will be accountability and action to effect positive change in our lowest performing schools, where groups of students are not making progress and where graduation rates are low over extended periods of time.
Parents' Right to Know about the Qualifications of your Scholars Teachers and Paraprofessionals!
In compliance with the requirements of Every Student Succeeds Act, the Griffin-Spalding County School System would like to inform you that you may request information about the professional qualifications of your student’s teacher(s) and/or paraprofessional(s).
The following information may be requested:
Whether your child's 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 have been waived
Whether the teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher.
Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Mark your calendars for an important upcoming event — Parent-Teacher Conference Night at Cowan Road Elementary on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 4:00–6:00 PM.
This special evening is your chance to connect one-on-one with your child’s teacher to talk about grades, learning progress, and ways to support success at home. With the middle of the year approaching (and holiday breaks right around the corner!), it’s the perfect time to check in and celebrate your child’s growth.
We can’t wait to see our amazing families there! Please contact your child’s teacher via Dojo for more information on how to sign up!
Upcoming Events
11/13: Parent-Teacher Conference Night 4-6pm
11/24-11/28: Thanksgiving Break
Check out GSCS 2025-2026 Parent University
GSCS Parent Resource Center introduces Open Hours
GSCS Parent Resource Center
Did you know that the Griffin-Spalding County School System also has a Parent Resource Center? Find hands on activities, books and brochures for your student in our District Parent Resource Center. The center is designed to provide educational resources for parents to help your student succeed academically. Parents can also find computers with internet access at the center. The best part is resources are FREE! You can find the Parent Resource Center located in the Parent Services Building, Room 121 234 E. Taylor Street, Griffin, GA 30224. Starting November 3rd, the Parent Resource Center will be open Monday and Wednesday evenings from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday mornings from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. If you would like more information or want to make an appointment, please contact LaJuana Love at 770-229-3700, ext 10321 or at Lajuana.love@gscs.org.
PARENT RESOURCE CENTER
Links to Important School Related Title I, Part A Documents
-GSCS Title I, Part A Parent & Family Engagement Handbook
Contact Information for Parent Liaison
If you need additional help or have questions about Parent Engagement at Cowan Road Elementary School, please contact me!
sara.burford@gscs.org