Organization offers seminar to parents and grandparents

STAFF REPORT

COLUMBIANA — Parents for Public Schools, a national organization headquartered in Cincinnati, is offering the Parent Leadership Institute to parents, grandparents and guardians who want to improve student outcomes in public schools.

The three, two-day sessions are this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24 and Nov. 20 and 21 at Das Dutch Village Inn, 150 E. County Line Road.

Program expenses including training, materials, meals, lodging and child care are funded by the Ohio Parent Information Resource Center, but participants must commit to attending all six sessions. The program is funded for 30 participants and some slots are still open, said Rolanda Smith, executive director of Parents for Public Schools of Greater Cincinnati.

To apply, call Parents for Public Schools of Greater Cincinnati at (513) 751-5437 or go to www.ppsgc.org.

Participants will enhance leadership and communication skills, learn about the public education system in Ohio, receive and learn how to read and understand the test data from their school and district, learn about achievement gaps in our schools, partner with your school administrators, teachers and other parents to improve student achievement.

They must commit to completing a project in their school or community, with assistance from Parents for Public Schools.

The Parent Leadership Institute is an advocacy organization that encourages parental engagement in the ownership and practice of public education, Smith said.