Parents go to class during expo

Tilda Sumerel, Federal Programs Resource for the Franklin County School System, helped plan the expo and was pleased with the parent participation.

“We had a large turnout, which just shows that these parents are really interested in their children and what they’re doing,” Sumerel said.

Events lasted from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and included sessions on a wide variety of topics such as improving reading skills, after school program activities, using newspapers as learning tools, and keeping children safe.

“We had different speakers throughout the day talking about these topics,” Sumerel said. “We had teachers, medical personnel, nutritionists, the school nurse and officers with the Sheriff’s Department.

“There was something for everyone and we talked about fun things as well as serious things.”

Because PCES is a Title I school, they are required to do parental involvement activities so they fulfill this requirement through Parents Expo Day.

“We became a Title I school so that the federal money we receive can be spread around to benefit all the students,” PCES Principal Jackie Ergle said.

“The Parents Expo lets parents learn more about their child so there can be a partnership between home and school. Parents play a key role in a child’s schooling and learning more about the programs will help them at home.”

The Parents Expo is not something that is limited solely to PCES. Sumerel and Mike Graham, Federal Programs Coordinator, have helped with similar expos at other county schools.

“We have had good meetings at other schools in the county,” Sumerel said. “We met at Tharptown Elementary last week and those parents really participated with us to.”

In addition to Tharptown Elementary, Parents Expos have also previously been held at Red Bay and Belgreen schools.