PARENT SPOTLIGHT: LARRY JUHANS

Parent Name: Larry Juhans
Martial Status: Single

Student's Name: Eugene Juhans

What is your child’s greatest academic success?
Improvement in his Math grades

What is your Best Parental Engagement Tip? Parent Classroom Visitation. It’s a sacrifice to take time from work; however I find it helpful to see my son in the classroom environment, to see the different teaching styles of his teachers, and to see how he interacts with his classmates. I take notes during my son’s classes; after class we discuss the notes that I took compared to the notes that he took. I attempt to put myself in the role of a student on day of visitation.

What example would you give that has been successful in helping your child succeed academically? I tend to read a lot. When we spend time together, I encourage him to read to gain knowledge rather than participate in social or sports activities. I stress that knowledge is power and that reading is an avenue to knowledge. My son is required to attend Math tutoring each Monday and Thursday (after school with ERHS NHS tutoring) which has helped bring his grade up from an “E” to a “C”.

What is your best family organizing tip? As a father (not in the household); my son “must” call me every day. I will ask him what did he learn or what did he do in each of his classes that day. He must have an answer. I also ask what tests or quizzes are forthcoming in each of his classes. Subsequently, we prioritize how and when he will study for these tests and quizzes. I review his weekly progress report that is signed by each of his teachers. His Guidance Counselor showed him how to organize his notebook; weekly, he presents his notebook to this Counselor to see if it is still organized the way that she did it originally. I call his counselor weekly to check on how is his notebook being maintained.

What school does your child attend? Eleanor Roosevelt High School

How do you ensure that your child is prepared to succeed in school? He must call me every day. After we discuss homework and quizzes, I discuss what he has laid out to wear to school the next day. Next I speak to his mother to be sure that he is describing it accurately.

How does your family stay healthy and relax? I stress the importance of a healthy diet and getting to bed on time. My son knows that going to school is his “job”; he must get enough sleep to wake up on time and to be at school on time.

PGCPS PARENT NAMED A SEMIFINALISTS FOR THE 2009 COMCAST PARENT INVOLVEMENT MATTERS AWARDS

State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick and Comcast today announced the 24 semifinalists for the 2009 Comcast Parent Involvement Matters Awards. Among the semifinalist is Kristen Ruiz – Bond Mill Elementary School, Prince George’s County Public Schools.

The Award is a collaboration between Comcast and the Maryland State Department of Education, the Comcast Parent Involvement Matters Awards is the nation’s first statewide initiative of its kind, recognizing parents and legal guardians for their exceptional support of public education. Parents are nominated for demonstrating significant, positive impact in their communities.

The 2009 Comcast Parent Involvement Matters Awards will be presented in a special celebration on May 8th. Five finalists and a statewide winner, selected from the 24 semifinalists named today, will be announced at the award ceremony.

“I am truly humbled by the commitment and dedication to Maryland’s public schools that these 24 semifinalists have displayed,” said Dr. Grasmick. “The partnership with Comcast allows us the opportunity to celebrate and honor these inspirational parents, who continue to find innovative and creative ways to make our schools stronger through parent involvement.”

“Comcast is committed to fostering healthy, vibrant communities, with a focus on creating opportunities for youth leadership and development,” said Fred Graffam, senior vice president of Comcast’s Beltway Region. “We recognize the important role that parents play in nurturing our future leaders, and we’re proud to work with the Maryland State Department of Education to honor them for their spirit, dedication and inspiration to others.”

The Comcast Parent Involvement Matters Awards program recognizes parents from local school systems across the state of Maryland who were nominated in five areas of parental involvement: Communication, Volunteering, Learning, Decision Making, and Community Collaboration. The statewide winner and five finalists will be awarded a cash prize to further their efforts to improve the public schools they represent.

Many of last year’s semifinalists have become parent involvement advocates on the statewide level, serving as members of task forces, presenters at statewide meetings, and participants in education events, such as the recent Summit on School Safety Solutions. “I am honored to be the first statewide Comcast Parent Involvement Matters Award winner," said Larry Walker, 2008 award recipient. “To be acknowledged by those who believe the education of America's future rests on the involvement of parents and community members alongside our professional educators is a privilege I will always cherish.”