Get Involved
Families are Embraced
By staying engaged in your child's progress or volunteering your time and talents, you are helping to support and strengthen our community, teaching our children the value of giving back, and modeling personal growth and how one contributes to the community and society. Learn more about how to get involved with CPS schools.
Family Involvement
Families can begin encouraging the education of their children by showing that they truly value education and respect the staff at their student's school.
Some of the ways that parents, caregivers and grandparents can become involved are:
- Helping your child with homework, especially reading together
- Joining committees that help decide school issues (LSDMC, ILT, PTSO)
- Giving time to the school or classroom
Volunteers are Welcome
We love our volunteers! From giving their time in the classroom to planning and coordinating special events to everything in between, our volunteers help make our schools a richer, stronger learning environment. Interested in learning more about how you can make a measurable difference in the lives of our students? Contact us to get involved.
Committees
Local School Decision Making Committee (LSDMC)
The LSDMC is the primary governing body for each school in the district. This committee gives insight and input into important decisions that greatly impact students' lives and shape their educational experiences.
The function of the LSDMCs includes:
- Adopting bylaws, including the school's mission and vision
- Setting measurable goals, based on a needs assessment
- Developing a broad plan (One Plan) to implement these goals
- Completing a mid-year and end-of-year progress report
- Making recommendations and approving the school budget
- Participating in the selection of the principal when a vacancy exists
- Approving locally initiated changes in the school's program or focus
- Making recommendations to the principal regarding other school issues
- Seeking grants to support the school's programs (optional)
- Coordinating and overseeing the development of the school as a Community Learning Center
The committee is composed of parents, teachers, staff members, students and community members. The LSDMC meets nine times each year.
The Spencer Center Local School Decision Making Committee (LSDMC) serves as the governing board of the school. The LSDMC membership consists of parents/guardians, teaching and non-teaching staff (including the principal), community members, and students.
LSDMC Functions
The purpose of this committee, as the primary local school decision making committee, in embracing the mission of this school, shall be to:
- Assess the needs of the school.
- Recommend a school improvement plan.
- Conduct a periodic review of the school improvement plan.
- Annually review the school improvement plan in a written report to the Board of Education and school community.
- Adopt a school budget (non‐salary) to support the goals and objectives of the school program.
- Address policy issues.
- Recommend plans and procedures for the school program as needs indicate.
- Act on requests from various groups and committees in the school community.
- Report to constituent groups on a routine basis.
- The LSDMC shall participate in the principal selection process when a vacancy occurs as provided by Board Policy 9142. The LSDMC may recess into executive session solely to consider the appointment of a principal, and generally may not recess into executive session for any other purpose.
- Other than the principal selection process, personnel matters shall not be considered by this LSDMC. All meetings regarding principal selection shall be in executive session.
The LSDMC bylaws are available here.
Spencer Center Vision
Spencer Center is a school founded upon six pillars:
- Equity
- Innovation
- Wonder
- Love
- Creativity
- Personalization
Spencer Center provides students innovative learning programs aimed at developing capacity to actualize their vision for their future. Students will graduate Spencer with the capability and confidence to pursue their passions, with the skills and empathy to lead and collaborate, and with a love for and drive to do great things. Our dedicated staff meet students where they are and personalize their learning environment to challenge and promote individual growth.
Meetings
Spencer Center LSDMC meetings are held the second Monday of each month throughout the school year at 6 p.m. at the school.
Meeting Minutes
Coming soon!
Strategic Plan
The Spencer Center LSDMC unanimously approved a strategic plan for the school on June 18, 2018 which will guide the development of the school. Read the strategic plan.
Instructional Leadership Team (ILT)
The ILT sets the instructional focus and makes the instructional decisions for the school. ILT responsibilities include:
- Developing, reviewing and evaluating the instructional program
- Monitoring and improving school operations and procedures that affect instruction
- Planning and monitoring training of staff
- Creating and maintaining a safe and orderly school environment
The team is composed of the principal, two parent representatives, two non-teaching staff members and teachers. ILT meets twice a month and as needed.
Security Badges and Background Checks
To assure the safety of students and staff, Cincinnati Public Schools requires security badges for anyone entering CPS' buildings. One-time visitors receive a temporary security badge from the front office. Individuals who visit our buildings on a regular basis, such as volunteers, must obtain a security badge and wear it at all times in our buildings. Learn more about how to obtain a security badge.