HARRISBURG, PA - Wednesday, October 8, 2008, marked the official announcement of Pennsylvania Parent Involvement Month. The proclamation by Governor Edward G. Rendell will help Pennsylvania parents and educators celebrate the important role parents play as teachers and advocates of education for their children. The formal reading of the proclamation by Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Gerald L. Zahorchak, Ph.D. took place at 10:00 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda.
Pictured From left: Quibila Divine, Gerald L. Zahorchak, Ph.D., Hon. James R. Roebuck, Jr.,
Carmen Medina, Becky Blue, Karen Shanoski and Hon. Jess M. Stairs
Pennsylvania Parent Involvement and Resource Center (PA PIRC), in partnership with Pennsylvania PTA and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, worked with the Governor’s office to make this designation. The proclamation states that families can create a home environment that encourages learning and when parents work with schools supported by communities in shared partnerships, children become lifelong learners and community contributors.
Governor’s Proclamation (PDF format)
“PA PIRC is part of a larger effort to draw attention to the need for parents to be more involved in their children’s education and promote resources already available in Pennsylvania,” said Lynn Cromley, Executive Director, Center for Schools and Communities and Acting Director of PA PIRC. “We know that the more parents are involved in learning, the higher their children’s achievement and later success.”
State Representatives James R. Roebuck, Jr. and Jess M. Stairs were on-hand for the event and to present the resolution they co-sponsored a Resolution to honor parent and family involvement. Quibila A. Divine, PIRC Advisory Committee member and Assistant Director, Office of Public Engagement, School District of Philadelphia introduced Representative Roebuck and acknowledged his dedication to education of our children.
House Resolution (PDF format)
Pennsylvania Senators James J. Rhoades and Raphael J. Musto co-sponsored a Senate Resolution.
“For over one hundred years, the Pennsylvania PTA has advocated for Pennsylvania’s children. We have been at the policy table advocating for their education, health and welfare,” said Caroline Allen, president of the Pennsylvania PTA. “We are proud of our diverse membership and recognize that parents can truly make the difference in creating a welcoming school environment. We partner with teachers and administrators and school boards. Parents are a child’s first teacher, but it takes all educational stakeholders working together for students to achieve and strive for educational excellence. Today, we recognize the value of parent involvement and all of the countless volunteer hours that parents give to their communities. Our children are our future.”
Joining PIRC and PTA to affirm parent involvement were the PIRC Advisory Committee (see list below) along with members of education related organizations, including: Center for Safe Schools, Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC), Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (PASCD), Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC), Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA), Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officers (PASBO), Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), Pennsylvania State Afterschool Development Network (PSAYDN), Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU), State Board of Education, and The Pennsylvania Council of Churches.
“Across the nation, PIRCs are working with family members, education systems partners and state governments to proclaim Parent Involvement Month this fall. It is a recognition by parents, education and community professionals of the important role of parents, and the need for us to work together to support the highest levels of student success,” Cromley added.
PIRC Advisory Committee List (PDF format)
Click here for Tips for Getting Involved