The Guilford County Board of Education encourages parents to be involved in their children’s education. 

• Parental Involvement Plans: Schools will develop plans to enhance parental involvement. These plans will promote communication, responsible parenting, parent participation in learning and decision-making, and collaboration with community resources. 

• Communication and Participation: Regular contact with parents is encouraged for information sharing, commendation of students, and notification of concerns. Parents are welcome to visit schools and participate in school volunteer programs. 

• Parental Notification: Parents will be notified of their rights and other required information regarding school programs. They can opt out of certain programs or activities. 

• Parental Permission: Written parental permission is required for certain activities, such as administration of medications, off-campus trips, and participation in high-risk sports or activities. 

• Parental Involvement in Student Health: Parents will be notified of each health care service offered at their children’s schools and the means for parents to provide consent for any specific services. 

• Parental Requests for Information: Parents can request information they have the right to access. The principal must respond within 10 business days or provide an extension notice. 

YOU play a critical role in the education of their children and in the schools. Your involvement is highly encouraged and appreciated. 

For more details, see Board Policy 1310/4002 Parental Involvement & Empowerment. 

Schools with high numbers of students from low-income families get extra resources through a federal program called “Title I” to support family engagement. A portion of the Title I federal funds the district receives is spent on family engagement each year. 

The Guilford County Board of Education's Title I Parent and Family Engagement policy encourages parents and family members to be involved in their children's education. Here is what you can expect: 

• Parent and Family Engagement: Parents and family members are encouraged to participate in regular, two-way communication involving student learning and other school activities. This includes assisting their child’s learning, being actively involved in their child’s education at school, and participating in decision making and advisory committees. 

• Title I Program: This federally supported program offers assistance to educationally and economically disadvantaged children. It provides instructional activities and supportive services to eligible students beyond those provided by the regular school program. 

• Annual Meeting and Program Evaluation: Each year, parents of students participating in Title I programs are invited to a meeting to discuss the programs and activities, and to evaluate the content and effectiveness of the Title I programs and the parent and family engagement policies and plans. 

• Parent and Family Engagement Efforts: The Board believes that the involvement of parents and family members in the design and implementation of the Title I program will increase its effectiveness. The Title I staff and all District personnel will conduct outreach to parents and family members and involve them in activities throughout the school year. 

• Notice Requirements: District officials and Title I school personnel provide effective notice of various information as required by law. This includes information about the Program for English Learners, District Report Card, Teacher Qualifications, Student’s Academic Growth and Achievement, and Parental Rights and Opportunities for Involvement. 

• Website Distribution of Information: Each year, District officials publicize on the District website and, where practicable, on the website of each school, the report card and information on each assessment required by the state and, where feasible, by the District. 

For more details, see Board Policy 1320/3560 Title I Parent and Family Engagement and Administrative Regulation 1320/3560-R. 

For over a decade, Guilford Parent Academy, the GCS Department charged with supporting effective family engagement across the district, has offered free year-round programming to support families. 

Click here to access free online resources and the schedule of upcoming events. 

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 115C-76.25, the district is required to display on the GCS website the following parental legal rights with regard to their child’s education: 

1. The right to consent or withhold consent for participation in reproductive health and safety education programs, consistent with the requirements of N.C.G.S. § 115C-81.30 and Board Policy 3540. 

2. The right to seek a medical or religious exemption from immunization requirements, consistent with the requirements of N.C.G.S. §§ G.S. 130A-156 and 130A-157. 

3. The right to review statewide standardized assessment results as part of the State report card. 

4. The right to request an evaluation of their child for an academically or intellectually gifted program, or for identification as a child with a disability, as provided in Article 9 of Chapter 115C of the North Carolina General Statutes. 

5. The right to inspect and purchase public school unit textbooks and other supplementary instructional materials, as provided in Part 3 of Article 8 of Chapter 115C of the North Carolina General Statutes. 

6. The right to access information relating to the Board’s policies for promotion or retention, including high school graduation requirements. 

7. The right to receive student report cards on a regular basis that clearly depict and grade the student's academic performance in each class or course, the student's conduct, and the student's attendance. 

8. The right to access information relating to the State public education system, State standards, report card requirements, attendance requirements, and textbook requirements. 

9. The right to participate in parent-teacher organizations. 

10. The right to opt-in to certain data collection for their child, as provided in N.C.G.S. § 115C-76.65 and Board Policy 1311/4003. 

11. The right for students to participate in protected student information surveys only with parental consent, as provided in N.C.G.S. § 115C-76.65 and Board policy Board Policy 1311/4003. 

12. The right to review all available records of materials their child has borrowed from a school library. 

Click here to report a concern about a specific procedure or practice that you believe violates Part 4 of Article 7B of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes. 

The Guilford County Board of Education encourages parents and community members to participate in school activities, observe educational programs, use school facilities, and attend public events. However, to ensure a safe and orderly environment: 

• All visitors must immediately report to the school’s administrative office for permission to be in the school. 

• School personnel must direct any unauthorized individuals to the office or notify the principal. 

• Students should inform a staff member of any unusual or suspicious behavior that may endanger safety. 

• Visitors should not distract teachers or interrupt the instructional process. 

• Spectators at public events should conduct themselves in a manner that models good sportsmanship and citizenship. 

These rules help minimize disruptions and distractions, ensuring a positive learning environment for all students. 

For more details, see Board Policy 5020 Visitors and School-Sponsored Activities. 

The Guilford County Board of Education appreciates the contributions of school volunteers, including parents, community members, and local businesses. These volunteers enhance instructional programs and support educational success. Parents can take four hours of unpaid leave from their jobs annually to volunteer, as per North Carolina General Statute 95-28.3. The board encourages schools to use volunteers and provides guidelines: 

• Volunteers are screened based on their contact level with students. 

• A criminal records check is conducted as per policy/procedure. 

• Volunteers are supervised, with the level of supervision based on their contact with students. 

• Schools provide training to volunteers, including familiarization with laws, policies, procedures, and rules. 

Volunteers are expected to be professional, dependable, and adhere to all applicable laws, policies, procedures, and the district Code of Ethics. 

For more details, see Board Policy 5015 School Volunteers. 

Click here to get information about becoming a volunteer in GCS and to register! 

Parents, caregivers or other visitors to schools who are registered sex offenders are required to notify the Principal of the school and to receive written approval prior to accessing the campus. 

For more details, see Board Policy 5022 Registered Sex Offenders and Administrative Regulation 5022-R. 

Spectators shall not: 

• Harass, degrade or heckle players, participants or referees; 

• Throw anything on the playing surface; and 

• Approach the coach of either team before, during or after the game unless invited by the coach to do so. 

• Student spectators who violate this policy are also in violation of the Code of Conduct and will be disciplined accordingly 

Any visitor to a school or school event who violates this policy will be asked to leave and may lose the privilege of coming on campus and/or attending school events in the future. 

For more details, see Board Policy 5020 Visitors and School-Sponsored Activities. 

The safety of our students, staff, and fans is a top priority. Guilford County Schools is constantly enhancing emergency and safety protocols through ongoing collaboration and partnership with law enforcement agencies, community partners and other urban school districts.  

Fans are only permitted to bring clear bags to GCS athletics events. You are permitted to bring: 

• Clear plastic or vinyl bags that are no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” 

• One gallon-sized clear plastic storage bag 

• Small, clutch bags that are no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” 

Click here for more information about the GCS clear bag procedure, event safety and security.