The East

Baton Rouge Parish School System launched the Parental Involvement Project with a Community Celebration and Media Luncheon.  On July 26^th at Capitol Middle School, complete details of the project were announced to the public.

Visitors and guests at the celebration were greeted by the sounds of the Southeast All Star Select Jazz Combo.  The press conference in the school atrium was followed by a wonderful community meal in the cafeteria.  Lunch was provided by the Healing Place Church Cooking for Christ ministry.  Pepsi provided beverages and Federal Programs and Albertson’s provided desert.

The East Baton Rouge Parish School System and the Stupski Foundation established the Parental Involvement Program with the goal of developing partnerships between parents and teachers; partnerships meant to improve student performance. 

One of the biggest challenges facing school districts across America is the lack of strong collaborations between families and schools.  Research proves when parents are involved in their child’s education, students achieve more.  Often this relationship can be the single most important factor outside the classroom to help insure a child's success in school.  Developing partnerships between families, teachers, and the community is an important challenge we know will have an enormous impact on student success. 

The program called for partnership visits between teachers and student families at 40 elementary schools prior to the beginning of the new school year.  It also includes an extended mentoring program for 6th, 8.5, and 9th graders in 9 Middle and 4 High Schools.  Beginning in the 2004-2005 school year, these students will have a teacher mentor who will support them throughout their life in that school.  Back to School Planning Committees for the participating schools were formed to coordinate and execute the partnership visits with families.  These committees will become new, or strengthen existing parent organizations at the participating schools. 

To help promote the project, leaders of local faith-based communities helped tremendously to spread the word during The Spirit of Education Week.  From July 26th through August 1st, at churches and local houses of worship, religious leaders encouraged their congregations to get involved in public schools and to participate in the Parental Involvement Project.