THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 27, 1995 TAG: 9508250194
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Back to School
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Superintendent W. Randolph Nichols had a provocative invitation for parents, teachers and administrators Tuesday: a chance to join Chesapeake schools in encouraging kids' learning and parents' involvement in education.
``We must encourage all parents to be actively involved in their children's education,'' he said.
Communication and cooperation between schools and PTAs can help accomplish that, he said.
Communication was the theme of the annual luncheon for PTA presidents and school principals Tuesday at Deep Creek High. Decorative table centerpieces of tin-can phones along with plastic toy cellular phones drove home the point.
PTA officers and principals from most of the city's schools were there.
``I think it's people such as these who really make the school system run,'' said Indian River High School Principal James L. Frye about PTA leaders.
The partnership between parents and schools ``can only be productive with cooperation, trust, respect and collegiality,'' said Mayor William E. Ward.
``It is necessary that you network across the city, to make sure that we're all in accord'' about the best way to educate kids, Ward said.
``Both of you have an investment in the children of this city,'' he said, referring to PTA officers and school administrators.
School Board Chairman Maury Brickhouse said the citywide PTA is ``one of the strongest voices we have in support of quality education.''
Nichols, who took over the superintendency this month after C. Fred Bateman retired, said he has big plans for the school system. Among them is getting parents more actively involved in their children's education.
``As PTA presidents, you will be instrumental in broadening community involvement,'' he said.
Edward L. Hughes, clerk to the School Board and administrative assistant to the superintendent, warned that the task wouldn't be easy.
``All of you who are here today representing your schools have a lot of work ahead of you this year, and it's very important,'' he said. by CNB