The first of four Parent-Superintendent Advisory meetings for the 2009-10 school year was held on Thursday, Oct. 22. More than 165 parents, principals and directors, including Superintendent Art Jarvis, and Deputy Superintendent Carla Santorno, attended the advisory meeting at the district’s Professional Development Center.
The goal of these advisory meetings this year is to create “A Road Map for Student Success” through the involvement of parents in key communicator and advisory roles for the school district. Research repeatedly affirms that when families are involved, students do better in school. Students with involved parents, no matter what their economic, racial/ethnic and educational background, are more likely to:
- Earn higher grades and test scores and enroll in higher-level programs
- Be promoted, pass their classes and earn credits
- Attend school regularly
- Have better social skills, show improved behavior and adapt well to school
- Graduate and go on to post secondary education
Partnerships are central to high-performing schools. To achieve these successes for all of our students, the Tacoma Public Schools is committed to continually involving parents in decision making, volunteering, communication and collaboration opportunities like the advisory meeting.
Each advisory meeting will follow the theme “A Road Map for Student Success” with an agenda that includes news briefs, the “Word on the Street,” an advisory piece and participants’ feedback.
The district’s goal is to not only include parents in this advisory capacity, but to increase the transparency of the school district for the greater community it serves.