The Canton Public School District (CPSD) will stop at nothing to increase the involvement of parents in the day-to-day activities of their children’s educational experience and the day-to-day activities at its schools.
Operating from a perspective that they will get parents involved ‘by any means necessary,’ the district has partnered with outside agencies to accomplish this task. One of those agencies is the PERICO Institute for Youth Development and Entrepreneurship, Inc. (PRIYD).
PRIYD, according to its website, is governed by principles of faith. The mission is to focus solely on youth development in financial literacy, certain apprentice skills, entrepreneurship and advocacy necessary for success in the work place and the market place. The desired outcome for PRIYD is to build business and social awareness and skills in youths.
However, PRIYD has taken on the task of getting parents involved. “We believe the students will perform better and stay involved if they are getting backup from parents, if their parents are in tuned with what is happening,” said Johnnie Hawkins, executive director, during an earlier meeting.
During a packed Canton Public School Board meeting Tuesday, Dec. 14, Hawkins and Demetria Armon, State and Federal Program director for CPSD, shared some unwavering news about parental involvement. “We need our parents to get involved and we know you (the board) wanted an update on the progress that we are making to reach that goal,” said Armon. “We sent one survey per student per school for a total of roughly 3,300. We only got 151 back.”
The survey sought answers to questions centered on the lack of involvement. Some of the questions were: a) What can we do as a district to support you when the teacher is not there? b) What are your two major concerns that the district may be able to help you with? and c) What would prevent you as a parent, from participating in school related programs?
Armon acknowledged that some of the parents misinterpreted some of the questions, and that the district would help to make the information clear.
“We have had several activities where our numbers are up and we are excited about that,” Armon said. “We need more involvement and we are going to achieve that.”
Hawkins, whose office is based in Jackson, urged the board to continue the relationship. “We are seeing progress and we are dealing with several tiers of parents,” said Hawkins. “I’m excited about where we are.”
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