First ever Parent University graduates celebrate a year of hard work
by Brad Gibson on Jun 27 2010
“When you have an opportunity to better yourself and your children, take it,” said Nicola Byfield, as she spoke to her fellow graduates of Parent University.
Byfield was one of dozens of parents who attended the first ever graduation ceremony of the Parent University held at District headquarters Thursday night.
The ceremony honored parents who attended and completed courses throughout the past year with a certificate of completion and a dinner for them to enjoy with their families. Some of the graduates donned white caps and gowns for the occasion, which for many of them was their first graduation experience.
The Parent University is a District initiative that offers free day and evening workshops and classes to parents in subjects ranging from basic math and literacy to parenting seminars on character development and health and wellness.
“Parents are the first and most important teachers for their children,” said Karren Dunkley, deputy chief of the District’s Office of Parent, Family, Community Engagement, and Faith-Based Partnerships.
Dunkley has been in charge of implementing Superintendent Ackerman’s vision for a program that would facilitate greater parental involvement with the educational