WEST CHATHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2026-2027 TITLE I SCHOOL-PARENT-FAMILY COMPACT

FIRST GRADE • Growing as Readers, Writers & Mathematicians

Unlimited Possibilities: From School to the World

 Updated May 11, 2026

JOINTLY DEVELOPED

West Chatham Elementary School students participating in Title I, Part A, their families, teachers, and staff share responsibility for improved academic achievement. This compact is jointly developed through Family Forum/Title I meetings, family surveys, conferences, school events, ClassDojo, and ongoing family, teacher, and student feedback. It will be reviewed during parent-teacher conferences and used to guide conversations about student progress.

SCCPSS STRATEGIC PLAN 2031 ALIGNMENT

WCES supports SCCPSS Strategic Plan 2031 and Academic Excellence for Future-Ready Student Success through early literacy, grade-level reading, ELA and mathematics achievement, support for diverse learners, regular attendance, student voice and belonging, and future-ready experiences that strengthen communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.

WCES SCHOOL GOALS

WCES will strengthen achievement in reading/ELA, mathematics, and science; provide targeted support for students with disabilities and multilingual learners; improve attendance, engagement, voice, and belonging; and increase collaborative, hands-on, problem-solving, and future-ready learning experiences.

COMMUNICATION & FAMILY PARTNERSHIPS

WCES provides frequent two-way communication through ClassDojo, email, phone/text, conferences, progress reports, report cards, assessment reports, newsletters, the school website, and attendance communication. Families may contact the school at (912) 395-3600. Partnership opportunities include Title I meetings, parent workshops, curriculum/data nights, Open House, PTA, the Parent Resource Center, volunteering, field trips, and family academic events.

FIRST GRADE ACADEMIC FOCUS

Reading & Literacy

• Strengthen phonemic awareness and phonics.
•  Decode regularly spelled one-syllable words.
• Recognize high-frequency words.
•  Build accuracy, expression, and oral reading fluency
•  Retell stories in sequence.
•  Identify characters, setting, events, and key details.
• Ask/answer questions.
• Build vocabulary.

Writing

•  Write complete sentences.
• Use capitalization, spacing, and punctuation.
• Apply phonics when spelling.
• Write about reading and experiences.
• Add details.
• Reread and improve writing.

Mathematics

• Build number sense and place value.
• Read, write, compare, and represent numbers.
• Develop addition/subtraction fluency.
• Solve word problems.
• Use pictures, equations, objects, and models.
• Work with measurement, time, data, and shapes.
•  Explain solutions.

SCHOOL/TEACHER COMMITMENT

• Provide explicit, systematic phonics and reading instruction.
• Provide targeted small groups based on data.
•  Provide frequent connected-text reading and fluency practice.
• Teach students to discuss and write about reading.
• Provide daily writing and feedback.
• Use manipulatives and visual math models.
• Have students explain and compare problem-solving strategies.
• Monitor progress and provide home-learning resources.
• Strengthen student confidence, voice, leadership, and belonging.

FAMILY COMMITMENT

• Read with my child for at least 20 minutes daily.
• Practice phonics patterns and high-frequency words.
• Ask questions and have my child retell stories in sequence.
•  Encourage writing about books and experiences.
• Practice addition, subtraction, and number sense in everyday situations.
• Ask my child to explain how a math problem was solved.
• Encourage use of assigned school resources.
• Monitor progress and communicate with the teacher.
•  Prioritize regular, on-time attendance.

STUDENT COMMITMENT

• Read for at least 20 minutes daily.
• Practice phonics and high-frequency words.
• Retell and answer questions about reading.
• Write complete sentences with details.
• Practice math facts and number skills.
• Show my work and explain my thinking.
• Participate in Turn and Talks and discussions.
• Ask for help and come to school ready to learn.
•  Be a kind, responsible West Chatham leader.

ONE SCHOOL • SHARED COMMITMENTS

• ACHIEVE — Work toward grade-level academic success and continuous growth.
• BELONG — Create safe, supportive classrooms where every student is known, valued, heard, and included.
• LEAD — Develop voice, ownership, responsibility, and leadership through the 8 Habits.
• BECOME FUTURE READY — Communicate, collaborate, think critically, solve problems, create, and connect learning to future possibilities.