It seemed fitting that state schools Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick launched Maryland Parent Involvement Month last week in Howard County at Talbott Springs Elementary School.
The county is home to the state's first recipient of the Comcast Parent Involvement Matters Award winner, Larry Walker, a parent at Mount Hebron High. And the school is a site of the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) program, which encourages fathers or adult males to spend the day at school, where they perform duties that include assisting teachers with lessons and eating lunch with students.
"We have a lot to cheer about," Grasmick said to the room of more than 300 parents and educators from across the state. "Today's event just amplifies the importance of this. We don't want this to be a singular experience."
Grasmick was joined by other speakers, including Walker, Howard County schools Superintendent Sydney L. Cousin, Maryland PTA President Debbie Richie and Talbott Springs Principal Nancy Thompson, at the 90-minute event.
"I'm grateful to all of you who are willing to step up," Grasmick said. "This is a huge turnout to put a spotlight on parent involvement."
Grasmick said that educators interact with children for about 8 percent of their entire lives.
"Ninety-two percent of a child's life is spent with family and the community," Grasmick said. "That is critical."
Grasmick stressed the importance of including all ethnic groups in parental involvement efforts. The audience included members of the Korean Embassy, as well as a number of Spanish-speakers. An interpreter translated quietly on the side of the cafeteria.
"Engagement with people from different racial and ethnic groups is critical," Grasmick said. "I welcome genuine outreach with those parents."
Richie, the state PTA president, acknowledged the financial difficulties that school systems face but added, "One thing that doesn't cost any money is actively participating in the life of a child."
Several men spoke to the group about the importance of parental involvement, especially by fathers.
"It is a special thing when parents are recognized for the things that we would normally do in our kids' lives," Walker said.
Walker's two sons improved in their classes when he started taking a more active role at their school, he said.
"When we are actively involved in the lives of our children, they do better," he said.
