Parent Talk Live: The Need For High Performing High Schools

Dr. Mike Robinson, host of Parent Talk Live discussed the need for high performing high schools with Mr. Harold Brown President of EDWorks. Over the years EDWorks has developed innovative learning platforms for schools, including The Riley Institute at Furman University, Granville Studio of Visual Arts, Biological Science Curriculum Study (BSCS) , Open Sky Jazz and Jobs for the Future. President Harold Brown managed the Foundation’s $100 million investment in the Ohio High School Transformation Initiative (OHSTI), and the Foundation’s Early College High School (ECHS) initiative working hand-in-hand with leaders, building strong partnerships at the school, community, district and state levels to ensure all students reached their full potential and were prepared for success. He has managed the Foundation’s investments in Project GRAD, College Access, the Ohio 8 Coalition and a wide range of other school improvement initiatives. He also has significant experience working with institutions of higher education on issues related to equity and access, and is frequently quoted in newspapers across Ohio on key education issues. A native of Oxford, Ohio, Harold earned his Bachelor's degree in Government, with honors, from Harvard University. Currently, he serves on the boards of the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Buckeye Boys Ranch (adolescent mental health service provider), the Metro Early College STEM High School in Columbus, Ohio and the National College Access Network. To hear this amazing interview, click here!

The Next -Level Making a Difference Summer Program

Surrattsville High School PTSA, Inc., and the District V Community
present
The Next -Level Making a Difference Summer Program

This engaging, inspiring and interactive program will teach youth age 12-15 how to prioritize, create a sense of balance and purpose in their lives and how to make positive life choices. The experience in this program will enable the participants to develop ideas and strategies that they will be able to implement in their lives that will not only make them better, stronger and more capable citizens, but will make them better, stronger more capable students! This dynamic program will include group exercises and discussions on Bullying, Childhood Obesity, Internet Safety, Gang Intervention, Snitching, Drug Prevention and being a Latchkey Child. Participants will also take part in creating a wall mural and replanting a flower garden at the District V station.

The Next-Level Making a Difference Summer Program will meet every Friday, beginning July 16 thru August 20, 2010 at the District V Prince George’s County Police Department located at 6707 Groveton Drive, Clinton, Maryland from 6 pm – 9 pm. The program will be facilitated and staffed by sworn law enforcement officers with assistance from community and youth volunteers and leaders.

Are you ready for your child to go to the next level? If so, contact us now for more information!
For more information, please contact Sgt. Lisa Muhammad or Cpl. Jessica Mercer at 301-856-3130.

Working together, we can take our youth to the Next-Level!

PGCPS’ FIRST “FAMILY ACADEMY”

HUNDREDS EXPECTED TO ATTEND KICK-OFF

OF PGCPS’ FIRST “FAMILY ACADEMY”

Partnership with Side-By-Side, Inc. to augment services available to Laurel elementary school families. New program endorsed by Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and supported by instructors from Anne Arundel Community College Parenting Center.

UPPER MARLBORO, MD – On Thursday, September 24, Prince George’s County PublicSchools will launch “Family Academy,” a pilot program from its partnership with Side By Side,Inc. From 6 pm to 8 pm at Deerfield Run Elementary School, 13000 Laurel Bowie Road in Laurel, the Prince George’s County Board of Education and the Office of Superintendent of Schools Dr. William R. Hite, Jr. will formally recognize the new initiative which promotes success for Laurel’s elementary school students and their families.

“I salute the great and diverse energy of the people of District I and am extremely excited about Family Academy,” said Rosalind Johnson, Prince George’s County Board of Education member (District I). “This initiative builds demand within our parents so that they better understand how schools work and what it takes for their children to be successful. This is especially important for parents of children of color, poor children and those who are non-English speakers.”

In 2008, Side By Side, Inc. reached out to Board member Rosalind Johnson in the wake of pressing issues like funding cuts, reduced parent liaison positions, low parental involvement, and Laurel elementary school student test scores on standardized reading and math tests that fell below the Maryland State average. The organization then worked with the PGCPS Department of Family and Community Outreach, local principals, active and retired public school educators, and representatives of the Laurel Clergy Association to create services which would assist families in the education of their children.

“We firmly believe that no local issue is more important for our community’s current and future well-being than working along side schools to champion the needs of our students,” said Joseph“Joe” Murchison, president of Side By Side, Inc. “Through this symbiotic relationship with PGCPS, we hope to fill existing voids and positively impact the students, their families, our schools and the community.”

Family Academy will include community-building sessions for local parents and educationalsessions on parenting skills and family dynamics. These will be offered in English and Spanish. Exciting enrichment activities will be provided for children of Family Academy participants during the same sessions.

The Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has endorsed and will provide support to the pilot program. Additionally, instructors from the Parenting Center at Anne Arundel Community College will lead seminars for parents on how to handle various child behaviors.

Future Family Academy gatherings are scheduled to take place on the following Thursdays: October 15, November 5 and December 3. For more information, Laurel residents can RSVP for the kick-off by emailing to sidebysidelaurel@verizon.net, by calling (301) 725-8179, or by signing up at their child’s school office. Initial community responses indicate that over two hundred residents are expected.