Parent Talk Explores the Controversial Parent Trigger Law with Gwen Samuel, Founder and President of the State of Black CT Alliance.

Parent Talk discusses the controversial Parent Trigger law which was recently exercised by parents in Compton, California with the Founder and President of the State of Black CT Alliance, Ms. Gwen Samuel.


BIO

Ms. Samuel is a Parent, Founder and President of the State of Black CT Alliance, an organization which advocates for equity and access to high quality socioeconomic and educational opportunities for communities of color and vulnerable populations. Ms. Samuel is also the founder of the Meriden Kids Walk Safe Coalition (MKWS) – a Safe Routes to School Initiative.

A graduate of Springfield College, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services, Ms. Samuel works tirelessly to promote effective and sustainable practices that foster the academic and social development of our children while seeking to strengthen our families and communities. She firmly strives to ensure that “each and every child has access to the right of a high quality education and equitable access to opportunity, and that we must work effectively until neither race nor socio-economic status is a predictor of student success.”

In recognition of her work, in March of 2010, in a national Parenting Magazine contest, Ms. Samuel was one of 51 moms across the country that were selected to represent their state at the inaugural Mom Congress on Education and Learning Conference at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

In September of 2010, Ms. Samuel was selected to sit on an educational panel at the NBC Universal Education Nation Summit in New York.

She firmly believes that when parents, children and community know more and better they do more and they do better.

Show Date: January 9, 2011
Show Time: 8:30pm-9:00pm
Call In Number: 1 (914) 803-4591
Website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/educationaljournal

There Is No Letter “I” In The Word Success

I recently had the opportunity to view a re-broadcast of the November 11, 2010 Board of Education meeting. It was interesting to hear the farewell comments from Board members. I was disappointed that none of the current Board members thanked former employees who have lost their jobs or those remaining employees who were furloughed over the past two years for their hard work and dedication. According to a member of the BOE, PGCPS has become a leader in education reform. Such a lofty accomplishment did not come without the sacrifices of former and current employees and their families.

It is because of the work of many of those who are no longer in the system that the reforms have moved forward. The work of those men and women were ignored by members of the Board. I am ashamed that the amazing work of hundreds of people who were forced to leave their jobs due to reasons out of their control were not acknowledged by one single Board member. The failure of the BOE to recognize these individuals may not symbolize a sense of superiority on behalf of the BOE or the current school administration, but supposes a sense of aloofness or worst a disdain for those who do not have a voice.

Whatever successes this administration or BOE champions it did not come without the support and hard work of parents and families. Parents in this system have lost avenues to become engaged. Parents have seen doors closed in their faces. Attempts to silence their voices have reached epic proportions ranging from the lost of Parent Liaisons to the elimination of parental engagement programs and services. However, parents continued to push for an active role in the educational process. Parents and members of the community have respectfully demanded their concerns are addressed. As payment for their support parents only expect a high performing school district with academic rigor and sustainable student achievement through all grade levels.

Finally, parents want a responsive BOE and not one that practices what I call "The Tin Ear Approach". During what I can best describe as an “I” party, the BOE and this current administration failed to acknowledge any role in the successes of Prince George's County Public Schools other than their own.

Please consider joining me and my guest panel on a special Parent Talk, as we examine some of the challenges confronting our school system and how the new BOE will tackle these issues.

Special Educational Journal

Greetings Engaged Parents and Dedicated Educators,


This is an Educational Journal discussion you do not want to miss. Mothers and daughters are encouraged to participate in this incredible night of conversation.

Parents and PGCPS is proud to announce a special edition of Educational Journal this Wednesday, October 27, 2010 from 7:00pm-8:00pm. This special edition of Educational Journal will focus on African American women.

Our first guest is Shirley Henderson, Associate Editor of Ebony Magazine. In its September edition, Ebony saluted the amazing royalty of African American women with its annual feature of the Campus Queens of HBCUs. Ebony showcased 35 Queens of HBCUs in its Campus Queens Online poll. Ebony wanted to make this a very unique and memorable salute to the Majesties of HBCUs and thus allowed its readers to vote on their favorite queens. In a close, but exciting race, the top ten vote getters were profiled in style with photos taken by celebrity photographer Derek Blanks. What we saw and read was a mosaic of beauty, brains, charisma and hopefulness for the future. Ms. Henderson will share the vision behind her amazing article and the photos of the remarkable Campus Queens of HBCUs with host Michel Davis-Robinson.

In part two of this special educational Journal, we have invited Judge Mary Terrell to discuss the importance of engaging young African American women early with regards to education, life goals and career aspirations. Judge Terrell is an educator and youth advocate. She has spent over 20 years training teachers, administrators and developing educational programs for inner city youth to deter them from the criminal justice system. Her experiences and deep concern for our youth led her to create The High Tea Society, Inc., a non-profit organization for inner city girls ages 9-18 who attend the District of Columbia Public Schools and live in economically challenged communities. The goal of the High Tea Society is to increase the economic and social mobility of inner-city girls from economically disadvantaged areas through exposure to music, literature, poetry, history, career planning, self-esteem workshops, etiquette, and alternative lifestyles. Through various programs, the HTS promotes civility and the development of the social skills needed to be successful in a civil society and in the global community.


Be sure to join us for a remarkable night as we discuss the uniqueness of African American women.

When: October 27, 2010
Time: 8:00pm-9:00pm (EST)
Call in number: 1 (914) 803-4591
Website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/educationaljournal

Parent Talk

Sunday, October 31, 2010

PARENT TALK

Parent Talk is a weekly radio show for families and members of the community who aspire to become an integral part of their children’s academic success. Parent Talk is hosted by Michael A. Robinson. Parent Talk is a live interactive broadcast, were listeners have the opportunity to call in and ask questions of the host, guest or to simply comment on the topic of the day. Parent Talk can be heard every other Sunday evening from 8:30pm to 9:30pm (EST).

Our guest Ms. Kim Armstrong will talk with us regarding gang violence and education. She will share how a personal tradgey has impacted her life and how she is now empowering other parents to confront violence.

Show Date: October 21, 2010

Show Time: 7:30pm-8:30pm

Call In Number: 1 (914) 803-4591

Website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/educationaljournal

An Interview with Mr. Sam Macer, President of the Maryland PTA

Parent Talk presents an informative interview with Mr. Sam Macer, President of the Maryland PTA can be heard on the Parents and PGCPS website an EduSocial Network for engaged parents and dedicated educators. Parents and PGCPS website an EduSocial Network for engaged parents and dedicated educators. This amazing conversation can also be heard on The Journey Begins, Internet Radio for the engaged parent and dedicated educator.

BIO

Sam Macer
State and Local Education Advocate

Sam is a parent, grandparent, foster parent and parent volunteer who for the past twenty years has served multiple roles within PTA, and currently serves as President of Maryland PTA. Some current additional activities include serving on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Foster Parent Association; serving on the Maryland Department of Human Resources Child and Family Services Planning Advisory Committee and volunteering with the Baltimore City Department of Social Services as trainer of foster parents.

In 2003, the PTA Council of Baltimore County awarded Mr. Macer the Maryland PTA Lifetime Award and was appointed by the Board of Education of Baltimore County Public Schools, to the Minority Achievement Advisory Council and Educational Advisory Council. In 2005, he was appointed committee chair for Parent Involvement, on Dr. Grasmick’s, Maryland Parent Advisory Council (MPAC) and as a result of his work received the Maryland Parent of the Year Award.

In 2006, Sam was appointed by Dr. Grasmick to the 5 state Mid-Atlantic Comprehensive Center Regional Advisory Board. In 2009 Baltimore City Council appointed Sam to serve on the Baltimore City Department of Social Services Commission.

In 2007 Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith recognized Mr. Macer with a Baltimore County Executive Citation for supporting parent involvement in Baltimore County. Dr. Grasmick, awarded Sam with the 2007, Maryland Pride Award for his efforts in supporting the educational partnerships between students, parents and educators. The Maryland Department of Education recommended Sam to serve on the Maryland Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC) as an advisory board member. The PIRC is a statewide entity dedicated to support parents, students and educators in their efforts to increase academic achievement for all children. In 2007 the Rotary Club honored Mr. Macer with an award for community service in the area of parent involvement in education. In 2008 National PTA accepted Sam into the Train the Trainers program and he is a certified statewide trainer. He now travels to schools across Maryland providing workshops on numerous PTA and educational subjects.

PARENT TALK

Parent Talk is a weekly radio show for families and members of the community who aspire to become an integral part of their children’s academic success. Parent Talk is hosted by Michael A. Robinson. Parent Talk is a live interactive broadcast, were listeners have the opportunity to call in and ask questions of the host, guest or to simply comment on the topic of the day. Parent Talk can be heard every other Sunday evening from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.

Our first guest Mrs. Kim Carrington will talk with us regarding the importance of a healthy diet for our children and how we can get our children to think and eat healthy. Our second guest Mr. Sam Macer will focus on the role of Formal Parent Organizations, more specifically your local PTA and how they support parents, students and schools.

The Show Date: August 22, 2010
The Show Time: 8:30pm-9:30pm
The Call In Number is: 1 (914) 803-4591
Website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/educationaljournal

Re-Broadcast: www.parentsandpgcps.com (all day)