Family Engagement Statement

Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School meets the criteria as a Title I school as part of the, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) effective July 1, 2017.

 

What is Title I?

Title I is a federal program that provides funding to local school districts to help ensure all children in Title I schools meet the state’s high academic standards. Title I, Part A provides for substantive family engagement at every level of a student’s education. Section 1116 of the ESSA contains the primary Title I, Part A requirement for schools and school systems is to involve families in their children’s education.

School Plan for Shared Student Achievement

Kings’ Family Engagement Plan (FEP) offers opportunities to improve family engagement to support student learning. King values the contributions and involvement of families to establish an equal partnership for the common goal of improving student achievement.

This plan also describes different opportunities to support family engagement through active family involvement with planning and participation in events and activities that promote student learning at school and at home.

How is it developed?

Throughout the school year, opportunities are provided for families to engage and provide feedback via our school’s Go Team Meetings, PTSA meetings or principal chats.

Family feedback received during the year is used to revise the plan for the following school year. Annually, a survey is posted online, and hard copies are provided to families for their suggestions on the plan and the use of funds for family engagement. Families can also give feedback during family meetings and various activities during the school year.

Who is it for?

King’s Family Engagement Plan is for all students. The families are invited and encouraged to fully participate in the opportunities described in this plan. King will provide full opportunity and access for the participation of families and family members with limited English, disabilities and families of migratory children.

Where is it available?

The latest plan is posted to the website. A copy is provided during the Annual Title I Meeting, workshops, programs and other events; copies may be requested from teachers, the Family Liaison, Ms. Carnegia Lee-Furlow or Principal, Kimberly Gibbs.

Email: Carnegia.leefurlow@apsk12.org

Email: Kimberly.gibbs@atlanta.k12.ga.us

2026-2027 APS District Goal

APS students will be well-rounded individuals who possess thenecessary academic skills and knowledge and are excited aboutlearning.

2026-2027 School Goals

Literacy

By the end of the 2026-2027 school year, the 6th-8th grade students will increasescoring developing or above from 35% to 40% on ELA GMAS.

Numeracy

By the end of the 2026-2027 school year, the 6th-8th grade students will increasescoring developing or above from 32% to 37% on Math GMAS.

• Whole Child Intervention (WCI) Whole Child Intervention (WCI): PBIS, School Climate & Student Engagement

• The Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team will plan and execute exactly two school-wide events per month during the 2026–2027 school year, achieving a minimum of 80% student attendance at each event.

School-Family Compacts

As part of this plan, King has a School-FamilyCompact. It is an agreement that explains how families, teachers,and students work together to ensure that all students meetgrade-level standards.

Compacts are reviewed and updated annually based on feedbackfrom families, students, and teachers.

The school-family compacts are to be shared during family-teacher conferences and retained with each homeroomto be provided upon family’s’ request.

Signature Program - International Baccalaureate (IB)

• The IB program at King Middle School places a strong emphasis on developing your child's holistic growth. Through the IB Learner Profile traits such as Inquirer, Thinker, Communicator, Caring, Principled, Knowledgeable, Open-Minded, Balanced, Risk-Taker, and Reflective your child will be encouraged to become a well-rounded individual with a focus on academic, personal, and social development.
• Your child will be actively engaged in developing essential Approaches to Learning (ATL) Skills such as Research, Thinking, Self-Management, Communication, and Social. These skills are integrated into the curriculum and are designed to prepare students for academic success both within and beyond the IB program.
• The IB program at King Middle School promotes a culture of service and social responsibility. Your child will have opportunities to engage in meaningful Service such as Action projects that encourage them to apply their learning in real-world contexts. This helps instill a sense of global citizenship and empathy while making a positive impact on the community.
• Expect a challenging and inquiry-based academic environment that fosters curiosity and critical thinking. The IB curriculum at King Middle School is designed to encourage students to ask questions, explore interdisciplinary connections, and develop a deep understanding of subjects while promoting a global perspective.

WICOR is an instructional framework designed to promote student engagement and critical thinking. It stands for:

• Writing: Encourages students to express ideas, analyze information, and develop writing skills.
• Inquiry: Fosters curiosity, investigation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Collaboration: Promotes teamwork, communication, and respect for diverse perspectives.
• Oral Communication: Develops students' speaking, listening, and presentation skills.
• Reading: Encourages students to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate texts.

Every student is an IB student at King Middle School, where they are taught ATL Skills to help them use WICOR Strategies in the classroom.

King Middle School is committed to improving student academic achievement by promoting and supporting family engagement. Through a host of capacity building events as follows to help develop and strengthen family involvement that bridges a partnership amongst staff, families, and the community.

Open House

• Meet your scholars’ administrative staff, teachers and school staff members.

Family Engagement/Curriculum Night

• Sharing information about grade level curriculum and expectations for the school year.

Annual Title I – Virtual Meeting

• Engage and learn first-hand about our Title I program, which includes sharing The Family Engagement Plan (FEP); the school-wide plan; the school-family compact, and families’ right to know letter.

GO Team Meetings

Share helpful information about the Local School Councils’ student-centered strategic plans

Infinite Campus Family Portal

Parents of students in grades K–12 have access to class schedules, attendance records, and grades

Family Involvement Standards

King Middle believes family involvement means the participation of families in regular two-way communication involving student academic learning and other school activities ensuring the following:

• Families must play a leading role in assisting in their students’ learning.

• Families are expected to be actively involved in their child’s education at school and home.

• Families are recognized as full partners in their child’s education.

• Families are a part of school decision-making by serving on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child.

King Middle is committed to helping our families attend the family activities listed in this plan. Please call or email us if you need assistance with childcare or transportation as a participant in our family workshops and programs.

Martin Luther King Jr. Middle is Reaching Out!

We will take the following measures to promote and support families as an important foundation of the school to strengthen the school and reach our school goals.

• Ensure that all information related to school and family programs, meetings, and other activities shall be posted to the school website, and on our social media platforms.
• Provide meetings for teachers and staff during their planning periods on strategies to improve communication with families and ideas to increase family engagement. Staff will also share best practices during regularly scheduled faculty meetings.
• Communicate with our families and the community on a regular basis regarding school wide events and activities, through flyers, REMIND, Robocall messages, school website and social media platforms.
• Work with our families to develop relevant training and helpful presentations to educate our staff on the importance of family involvement.
• Provide necessary materials and handouts for families at conferences, meetings, and activities to help families work with their child to improve their child’s achievement.
• Use our PTSA and local School Council/ GO Team to improve awareness of the activities and events listed in the family involvement policy.
• Collect feedback from families at events through surveys and the school website, to respond to requests, questions, and concerns.
• Partner with cluster schools to share information within Jackson Cluster.
• Host Family –Teacher conferences to help families monitor students’ progress.

Family Involvement P.T.S.A. Standards

King has adopted the PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships as we engage families, students and thecommunity. These standards are:

1. Welcoming All Families
2. Communicating Effectively
3. Supporting Student Success
4. Speaking Up for Every Child
5. Sharing Power
6. Collaborating with the Community

Family Engagement Leadership Team

King invites ALL families to join the Title 1 Family Engagement Team,(FELT). Join the FELT Team to share ideas and ways to involvefamilies and build our support through partnerships with the schooland the community.

The team will meet during the school year, but families can also submit their ideas or suggestions during all activities and meetings, as well as through our family surveys and website.

Please Share Your Thoughts

We want to hear from you. If you have any suggestions or if there is any feedback regarding this plan towards the goals for academic achievement, please provide us with your comments and leave this form in the Main Office/Family Center.

You may also email Title I Family and Family Engagement Team:

Kimberly Gibbs Kimberly.gibbs@atlanta.k12.ga.us or 404-802-5400
Carnegia Lee-Furlow Carnegia.leefurlo@apsk12.org or 404-802-5459
Kalisha George Kalisha.George@atlanta.k12.ga.us or 404-802-5423