Video: TPSD Introduces ‘Parent Academy’

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) –  With hectic schedules in most households,  it’s often a chore for parents to be more involved in their child’s school and education.But a new program in one northeast Mississippi school district is hoping to change that.  WCBI’s Allie Martin tells us about the initiative and how it can help everyone involved.

These parents are spending part of their afternoon at Milam Elementary, seeing how their sixth graders are doing.

The Tupelo Public School District is introducing a program designed to get parents involved with the entire educational process.

“The name of the program is called the Parent Academy,” said Dr. Kristi Luse, director of educational enhancement and research for TPSD.

School districts throughout the nation are using parent academies, to improve students grades and create networks of parents, civic leaders and educators.

“I think in this day and age of technology, there is nothing that will ever replace, face to face, human contact and interaction and also the development of relationships,” Dr. Luse said.

Interactive workshops will deal with topics such, emotional and social growth of students, student achievement and parent advocacy.   The first event targets parents who are new to the school district.

Lakshmi Alahari is new to Tupelo.  Her husband works as a rheumatologist through NMMC.  But before making the move from Pennsylvania,  she visited Milam with her son, Akshad Mukara.

“He got to shadow one of the students, he ate lunch here and he spent almost a day here and he liked it,” Alahari said.

Alahari says the experience has helped her son fit right into his new school.  She has high marks for Parent Academy.

“I always like to know what is happening with my child at school, the conferences have all really helped me,” she said.

A meet and greet for parents new to the district takes place September 29th at Milam.

Also,  the district is sending out parent surveys all this week via social media.  The ten question surveys will help administrators determine the main concerns parents have regarding their child’s education.