PTA Takes High Energy Cultural Interaction to Chicago Classrooms this Week, March 3-7
Collaborates with Up with People to launch multi-year plan to get Chicago parents involved
CHICAGO (March 3, 2008)-Studies continue to reaffirm that when parents are involved, students succeed regardless of socio-economic status. That’s why, this week, PTA kicks off a three-year, pilot-project to generate parent involvement in Chicago’s urban, minority and underrepresented communities.
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WHAT: |
With the help of Up with People, a non-profit, global leadership and community service organization, PTA will launch the project this week (March 3 – 8) in several Chicago schools and communities. More than 100 students and professionals from 30 countries will help national PTA (headquartered in Chicago) and Illinois PTA highlight the project’s launch through events that combine classroom discussions and community service projects for students and parents with an added cultural benefit. Also, a musical performance featuring local PTA Reflections participants and highlighting the work of PTA with its new community partners, will celebrate PTA’s mission to help all parents and concerned adults support the achievement of children everywhere. |
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WHY: |
Working with Chicago Public Schools and other area school districts, PTA will work to raise the level of parent involvement in Chicago. The effort is the first step of a pilot-project to make PTA more relevant to parents in urban communities across the country. Through collaborations with local parent organizations and interaction with Chicago parents, schools, and communities, PTA is developing new parent leaders and members. The goal? Tripling the number of PTAs in the Chicago. |
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WHEN: |
Monday through Friday, March 3 – 7 |
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WHERE: |
School and Community Impact Projects with Up with People, National PTA, Illinois PTA and Chicago Public Schools: Tuesday, March 4, 2008 Wednesday, March 5, 2008 Thursday, March 6, 2008 Friday, March 7, 2008, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. NOTE: An Up with People musical show, featuring local PTA Reflections students, will highlight the work of PTA and its new community partner, with all proceeds benefiting the Illinois PTA schools. |
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WHO: |
National PTA, Up With People, Illinois PTA, Black Star Project, Real Men Cook, Communities In Schools of Chicago, Parents for Public Schools, Illinois Parent Involvement and Resource Center (PIRC), Illinois Action for Children, Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, Illinois Family Partnership Network, Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Act Now, Youth Guidance, Chicago Association for the Education of Young Children, and others. |
For further information contact:
PTA: Judi Myers: (312) 670-6782 Ext. 306; cell (847) 212-7326 jmyers@pta.org; or
James Martinez, (312) 670-6782 Ext. 325; cell: (7733) 339-4533 jmartinez@pta.org
Illinois PTA: Mary Ann Daugherty (847) 455-0527 mdaugherty15@comcast.net
Up with People: Patrick Singler, (312) 670-6782 Ext. 346; cell (773) 343-9536 psingler@upwithpeople.org
About PTA
PTA comprises more than 5 million parents and other concerned adults devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA flourishes in more than 25,000 school communities nationwide by harnessing the energy and talents of millions of volunteers to be: voices for all children; relevant resources for families and communities; and champions for the education and well-being of every child. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned about the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. Visit www.pta.org for more information.
About Up with People
Up with People provides young adults an international and intercultural experience that teaches leadership while doing various community service projects and uses the performing arts to deliver positive and inspiring messages while raising money and awareness for local organizations throughout the world. In the past 40 years, 20,000 Up with People students from more than 90 countries have visited 3,600 communities in 38 countries, provided 3,400,000 hours of service impacting 20 million people. More information about Up with People is available at www.upwithpeople.org
About Illinois PTA
The Illinois PTA, with more than 150,000 members state-wide, is a volunteer organization dedicated solely to the welfare of children in their schools and communities. Illinois PTA was organized on May 30, 1900, and has since worked diligently to support public schools and to ensure that all children have equal opportunities and access to education. The Illinois PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.illinoispta.org.
