The most significant predictor of a student’s achievement in school and preparation for a life of success and happiness is parental involvement. Parents who are actively engaged in the educational process are partners with teachers in ensuring that their child is receiving a good education.

Some ways to get involved include, but are not limited to:

• Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
• School Advisory Committee (SAC)
• Installation Advisory Committee (IAC)
• School Improvement Leadership Team
• Volunteer Field Trip Chaperone
• Chaperone Dances
• Guest Lecturer
• Awards Assemblies
• AVID
• Tutoring

CSI stands for Continuous School Improvement and we would love your input!

The leadership and faculty of staff are committed to providing the best and most appropriate education possible for our students. For this reason, we have a mission, a vision, goals, and guiding principles. By continuously applying these, we are committed to never-ending self improvement. As educators, we know that our students deserve nothing less.

Visit our Continous School Improvement Page

SAC is made up of two elected parents and two elected teachers. Current SAC elected members are:

Teachers: This year's representatives are one Math Teacher and one C&TE Teacher
Parents: Joe Orenstein and Jenny Torres
Student: Student Council Designee

The SAC meets quarterly to offer suggestions and recommendations to the principal and/or Installation Commander for the improvement of educational programs and general quality of education and school programs.

School Advisory Council Meetings
November 5, 2012: 5:30pm-JROTC Conf Room (2nd Floor, Building 911-above the main office.

As stated in Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 1342.15,* “Every parent, teacher, sponsor, student, DoDDS administrator, and military commander shall share the responsibility to work collectively in supporting the schools, in enhancing programs, and improving not only the delivery of educational programs and support services to DoDDS students, but also the overall quality of life shared by all personnel in the American overseas communities, of which the schools are an integral part.”

Areas of focus include:

*School policies affecting students and parents.
*Administrative procedures affecting students.
* Instructional programs and educational resources within the school.
* Allocation of resources within the school to achieve educational goals.
* Pupil Services (health, special education, testing) evaluation.
*Student standards of conduct and discipline.
*Policies and standards of the dependents' education system related to the above.

If you have an issue involving an area of focus, please email any SAC board member one week prior to the meeting. All issues falling under the responsibilities of SAC will be added to the agenda and presented at the meeting. Please remember that personnel issues are not addressed by SAC. Specific issues with personnel should be addressed individually with the teacher and the DoDEA chain of command.

Issues NOT addressed by the SAC:
Personnel practices or policies.
Individual teacher concerns should follow the DODEA chain of command.
Grievances of school employees.
Internal management of DoDDS or DoDDS programs

Purpose: The purpose of the ZAHS PTO is to provide support primarily to the scholastic and extracurricular programs of the Zama American High School, Camp Zama, Japan.  Support may include, but is not limited to personnel, material and financial assistance.

Meetings:Executive Board Meetings for school year 2012-2013 will be held the first Wednesday of each month at 3:00pm in the High School Library. Please see our Facebook page for updates. These meetings are open to all parents/guardians, faculty/staff and community members. Paid PTO members may vote!

Upcoming Quarterly General Membership Meetings will be held in January and May at 5:30pm. Again, see our Facebook page for more details. The location of these meetings alternates between Atsugi and Zama and are often in conjunction with school activities. These meetings are also open to all parents, faculty/staff and community members. Paid PTO members may vote!

How to Join: Any parent, faculty/staff or interested community member may join the PTO for just $15 per family per school year. Joining the PTO does not require a time commitment.  The membership money is used to support teachers, students, and organizations in the high school.  Your membership dues are used to help create a successful climate within the school and also represent your commitment to and support for the success of the current and future ZAHS school community.  All paid members do receive the benefit of being able to vote at general membership meetings.  Simply mail in the membership form or drop it off at the main office with your dues and look forward to receiving informative emails from the Executive Board!  PTO Membership Form

Volunteer:You do not need to be a member of the PTO to volunteer at ZAHS.  However, the PTO is the first place teachers, students, and school organizations look to when they are in need of volunteer support.  Becoming an active member of the PTO is the best way to ensure you hear about volunteer opportunities that create a climate for success at ZAHS.  See the ZAHS PTO Facebook page (link below) for the most current volunteer opportunities.

Contact: zahspto@gmail.com The ZAHS PTO hosts a Facebook Page at:  https://www.facebook.com/zahspto. Look for us on Facebook for the latest information about upcoming PTO and school events, volunteer opportunities, and meeting information. Checking the ZAHS School Website and the ZAHS PTO Facebook site are some of the best ways you can stay informed and be a part of a Commitment to a Legacy of Success!

Requesting Funds: All teachers and organizations requesting funds should contact us at the above email address.  Please plan to attend the next general meeting to present your request and be prepared to answer any questions that may arise.  All teachers and organizations desiring to hold a fundraising activity after school hours and on or off campus must contact us at the above email address as well to schedule an appointment with a member of the Executive Board trained by MWR to handle the paperwork for such an event. Here are our Fundraising Rules:

PTO Fund Raising Rules-Zama

PTO Fund Raising Rules-Atsugi

PTO Reimbursement or Request for Funds Form

Other PTO Documents:

ZAHS PTO Spending Guidelines

ZAHS PTO Constitution and Bylaws

We need parent volunteers in all areas. If you are interested and available, please call the Zama American High School office at 263-3181 (on-post) or 81-46407-3181 (off-post). Services of volunteers are needed in our library, reading programs, classrooms, special education programs, and the computer room, etc. All volunteers must be registered with the Army Community Services, (ACS).