 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
PARENT AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
It is through the involvement of parents (and grandparents) that Touchstone has accomplished so much since
its founding in 1982.
Parents play an integral role at Touchstone. Parent participation in all levels of the school organization is an
inherent part of the school's philosophy. The Touchstone community believes that involved parents are an
important component of a successful educational program.
A list of committees and special events, along with the chairperson for the committee or event, will be
published in the packet of information sent to all families in August. Parents should contact the chair of any
committee or event that they would like to learn more about or join.
Touchstone offers many opportunities for parents to become involved. Parents share their talents and interests
and also may acquire new skills through their volunteer involvement. Parents are welcome in the classrooms.
Each classroom will have different needs and schedules for parent involvement, usually surrounding a thematic
study or classroom activities. Parents are also encouraged to volunteer in the office, and on one of
Touchstone's many committees (listed below). Committees function in many capacities - from helping with the
budgeting process to raising funds, to planning for Touchstone's future.
In Massachusetts all staff and volunteers in schools are required to have a CORI (Criminal Offenders Record
Information) check. Parents will be asked at the beginning of each school year to have a CORI done if they
have not had one within the last three years. Only the Head of School and Business Manager are authorized to
view the results of the CORI.
Parents serve as members of the Board of Directors (the By-laws stipulate that a majority of the members must
be current parents in the school) and as such are involved in formulating school policy. Parents serve on and
chair all of the committees listed below.
Touchstone Committees
Executive The Executive Committee is charged with providing the Head of School and the Board Chair with a
sounding board for discussing day to day issues pertaining to the school The committee provides a smaller
forum than the full Board from which to gather preliminary opinions and advice, prior to discussion by the full
Board. The committee also provides a forum for development of future Board leadership. The Executive
Committee is not a voting body, and can not make any decisions on the part of the Board of Trustees.
Development The Development Committee is charged with ensuring that the school reaches its annual
development goals as laid out in the 5-year plan. The Committee is also charged with continuing the
education of Trustees with regard to their role in development at the school and directing and supporting their
engagement in development.
Finance. The Finance Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the budget, fees for tuition or other
services, financial aid to students (usually delegated to an ad-hoc subcommittee), salaries and benefits for
employees in concert with the Personnel Committee, estimates non-tuition income in concert with the
Development Committee, and any other areas the BOD or its Chairperson may from time to time designate.
Marketing & Recruitment The Marketing and Recruitment Committee is charged with ensuring that the school
meets the recruitment goals as laid out in the 5-year plan. The Committee is charged with continuing to refine
our understanding of the communities we serve and the potential communities that we do not yet serve. The
Committee is also charged with continuing to promote the school and increase awareness of Touchstone’s
offerings within those communities as well as within our current Touchstone community.
Governance The Governance committee solicits input from the full Touchstone community as it chooses a slate
of nominees to present at the Annual Meeting in March for election to the Board of Directors. The Governance
Committee is also responsible for orienting newly elected board members and helping them become
productive members of the board.