Move over, teachers.
Now parents can be recognized for their contributions to school and student success.
A partnership between the Maryland Education Department and Comcast cable company resulted in the Comcast Parent Involvement Matters Award, expected to be given annually.
“It?s about time that parents get recognized for what they do and not just fundraising,” said Anita Owens, president of the Anne Arundel County Council of PTAs, this week.
The statewide award will honor parents and legal guardians who have made significant contributions to public school students, teachers, schools, programs or policies.
“I think many parents put in a lot of time to support public education, and they?re not really looking for accolades,” said Regina Cornelius, a parent of two children at Chesapeake High School in Anne Arundel.
Cornelius is chairwoman of the Council of PTAs? Health and Safety program, where she disseminates information to local PTAs on health and wellness issues that affect children. Recent topics she?s discussed include trampoline safetyand dietary suggestions for students.
“It truly does show to every [parent] out there that their help does matter,” said Nancy Ostrow, first vice president of the PTA Council of Baltimore County, who attended the announcement of the award by Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick this week.
The applications are at www.marylandpublicschools.org.
AT A GLANCE
Parents can be nominated in these five categories to win the new Comcast Parent Involvement Matters Award:
» Communication
» Volunteering
» Learning
» Decision making
» Community collaboration
Source: Maryland Department of Education
