Advanced Training for School Improvement Councils

The trainings and resources on this page are provided and coordinated by SC School Improvement Council. To schedule training or obtain resources, individuals should contact our offices.

SIC Leadership

This 60-minute training offers helpful tips to SIC Chairs, principals and veteran SIC members in planning and running productive SIC meetings, as well as insights into activating SICs and committees to perform vital work for their schools. Trainees will be given guidance in developing meeting agendas, keeping effective minutes, bylaws creation, meeting announcement guidelines, as well steps to identify and recruit SIC committee members and candidates for election or appointment to their SIC.

Intended Audience
Parents - Community Members - Teachers - Students - School Administrators
Fee for Training
Free
Duration of Training
1 hour
Minimum / Maximum Number of Attendees
Ideally district level training; all schools in district invited; attendance open statewide.
Contact / Trainer
SC-SIC staff
Phone - 800-868-2232
Email - sic@mailbox.sc.edu
Equipment Requirements for Training
Laptop, projector and internet access; host provides copies of handouts

Effective, Ethical Advocacy with Elected Officials

This 60-minute training, ideal for those SIC members who have completed SIC Basics training, provides insights, tools and strategies for SIC members to be effective advocates for their schools, districts and public education. Trainees will be exposed to a variety of approaches and resources to mobilize community support through advocacy with their local and statewide elected officials, and will receive guidance in the proper methods of advocating in accordance with SIC guidelines and those of the S.C. Ethics Commission.

Conversation for SIC Goal Setting

Designed for individual SICs. This session, which typically lasts for two hours, provides structured dialogue to assist SIC members and school administrators to develop a specific set of goals uniquely tailored to their school’s needs. Goals will be based on issues identified through facilitated discussion and tied to the school’s strategic plan. In this session, SIC members will gain understanding of the strategic plan, discuss strengths and challenges of their school, identify 3 – 5 specific goals and begin developing strategies for SIC action; all with aim of assisting the school—and it’s administration, teachers and students—in meeting and exceeding the targets set for continuous improvement.

Intended Audience
Parents - Community Members - Teachers - Students - School Administrators
Fee for Training
$250.00 *Title 1 funds can be used to pay for this training*
Contact us for scholarship opportunities.
Duration of Training
2 hours
Minimum / Maximum Number of Attendees
Ideally, school-level training for one School Improvement Council at a time.
Contact / Trainer
SC-SIC staff
Phone - 800-868-2232
Email - sic@mailbox.sc.edu
Equipment Requirements for Training
laptop, projector, internet access, chart paper and markers, nametags for participants

Communicating With the Greater School Community

This workshop touches on the importance of clear and frequent communication with parents, teachers and the greater school community. It outlines the development of consistent messages, the role of a communications plan and its various components, utilizing multi-media communication efforts, and the philosophy of effective two-way communications.

Intended Audience
Parents - Community Members - Teachers - Students - Business Partners - School Administrators - Volunteers
Fee for Training
None
Duration of Training
1 hour
Minimum / Maximum Number of Attendees
25 - 100
Contact / Trainer
SC-SIC staff
Phone - 800-868-2232
Email - sic@mailbox.sc.edu
Equipment Requirements for Training
PC/Laptop, Projector, Internet Access

Crafting the SIC Report to the Parents

This workshop outlines the steps and components of effective Reports to the Parents. As School Improvement Councils are mandated by law to issue these Reports by April 30th of each year, SIC members and principals should take steps to make them as informative and user-friendly as possible. The session will provide an overview of content, use of statistics, graphic design, printing, and distribution.

Intended Audience
Parents - Community Members - Teachers - Students - School Administrators
Fee for Training
None
Duration of Training
45 minutes
Minimum / Maximum Number of Attendees
20 - 75
Contact / Trainer
SC-SIC staff
Phone - 800-868-2232
Email - sic@mailbox.sc.edu
Equipment Requirements for Training
PC/Laptop, Projector, Internet Access

Applying for the SC-SIC Riley Award for SIC Excellence

This workshop examines effective strategies in applying for the SC-SIC's annual Dick and Tunky Riley Award for SIC Excellence. Named in honor of the former governor and his late wife, the award recognizes SICs that have effectively and programmatically supported civic engagement in public education. The workshop will highlight application procedures, helpful tips and case studies of former Riley Award winners.