As city school officials continue to seek ways to improve the district, they’re reaching out to parents, hoping to increase parental involvement in the schools and deepen the community’s investment in the district’s missions.
Thursday, the district will host its first Parent Volunteer Fair from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Columbus High School. While the free event is open to all members of the community, it’s specifically targeted to parents of K-12 students in the district who may have wanted to get involved but were unsure where to begin.
The casual affair will feature information booths about each of the district’s schools, giving parents the chance to discuss needs with administrators and sign up for a plethora of volunteer jobs ranging from reading to children and assisting in class to helping with talent shows and other activities.
Additional booths will be on site to provide information from the WIN Job Center, Greater Columbus Learning Center, Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, the YMCA, Columbus Schools Foster Grandparents Program, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, Community Counseling and other local nonprofit organizations.
“We have good parental involvement through the PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization), but research has shown that as kids get older, parental involvement decreases,” said Michael Jackson, event coordinator and CMSD special assistant for public relations and parent involvement. “When parents are more involved, there’s a decrease in dropout rates and students are less likely to misbehave. Their presence in school helps student achievement all around. We’re letting parents know we need them and welcome them to be a part of what’s going on in the schools.”
One of the parents planning to attend Thursday night’s event is Shelia Jones, whose daughter, Bethany Jones, is a sophomore at Columbus High School.
Jones, a 1980 graduate of Lee High School, said she’s always worked with children, and she’s looking forward to finding ways to help the district.
“It’s not just about my biological child,” she said Monday. “I try to be a voice for the children to let them know someone cares. I’m attending to find out what I can do to help not only my child, but other children.”
In addition to teaching Sunday School at United Christian Church, Jones also coaches youth softball and has made parenting presentations to daycares and other organizations.
Though it keeps her busy, she says it’s worth the sacrifice.
“Children are a precious commodity, and it’s up to us to mold them and let them know we care,” Jones said. “Children have so many obstacles they’re up against now. They need to know they have an adult that cares.”
She said many parents feel they’re unable to volunteer because they are the heads of single parent households or they have more than one job, but they shouldn’t let that hold them back from finding ways to contribute.
“Those that do volunteer and go the extra mile are doing it because they realize how important it is to be there for the children,” she said. “It’s a sacrifice, and you’ve got to let some things go and prioritize.”
Jackson said the parents he has spoken with have reacted positively to Thursday night’s event.
“Most parents want to be involved, they just don’t know how,” he said. “We always say parents are welcome, but we have to get beyond that and give parents something to do.”
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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