A unique graduating class was celebrated recently at Detroit Public Schools’ Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School.
The 2015 class of the District’s Parent University received their official completion certificates during a very special graduation ceremony. This special moment was definitely one to witness for the families and friends of the graduates, and proof of DPS’ commitment to serving all students — from the earliest of learners to our dedicated parents!
Parent University is one strand of DPS’ multi-fac-eted Parent and Community Engagement program and is geared toward helping the District in-crease parent involvement. DPS celebrated its parents and guardians during the program’s com-mencement ceremony, which was held on Thursday, June 18 at King High School. The program, which began February 14, 2014, offers a total of 54 classes which are free and open to any parent/guardian with a child within the district.
“We know that having actively engaged parents is a critical component to ensuring our students’ academic success, said Karen Ridgeway, superintendent of Academics for DPS. “Our Parent University program aims to educate, train and empower parents so they can serve as advocates for their children and their education.
With their newly earned “Parent University” certificates, our parents can continue to be the best advocates they can be for their children and, additionally, will assist them in becoming lifelong teachers in their child’s future successes.”
The graduation spotlighted 91 parent graduates! This life-changing opportunity came about through the DPS Earn and Learn track, where Parent University students can earn their GED and jobs through the partnership with DPS’ two adult education lo-cations. Also parents were able to become involved in the program through any one of DPS’ eight Parent Resource Centers, where classes are offered on multiple topics–from leadership and parenting to healthy eating and financial literacy.
“Parent University is about creating opportunities for parents to successfully model lifelong learning for their children, other uninvolved parents, and the community at large,” said Sharlonda Buckman, CEO, Detroit Parent Network. “Parents are huge partners in this evolving education land-scape and as we build their capacity and knowledge across multiple topics, they will become stronger advocates and the champions our children de-serve!”
Graduates also took classes through the On the Go track where Parent University classes pop up at different schools for a one-time-only class on academic success for children. One of the classes included in the On the Go track was Love. Read. Learn, a workshop created by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. “Parent University, for me, has opened a whole new door for great opportunities,” said Latonya Peterson, Parent University alumni.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than giving back to the parents–and the community that you live in.”
