Organizing for Parents In America
Project Appleseed takes root as state leaders push for parents

'i3' Plan Recruits Family Involvement, Door to Door, In Nation's Struggling Title I Schools

DECEMBER 2009 - ST. LOUIS, MO - Project Appleseed stands poised on the brink of launching an unprecedented initiative to turn around so called “failing” schools nationwide.  The plan rests on two truths:  First, we know that when parents and caring adults volunteer in schools and commit themselves to supporting children, educational outcomes skyrocket.  And second, while recruiting such school volunteers is not always easy, aggressively recruiting community members by going door to door—in other words, community organizing—does work.  More...

Tennessee Gov. Bredesen Promotes Appleseed's National Parental Involvement Day

NASHVILLE, TN – Governor Phil Bredesen proclaimed November 19, 2009, as National Parent Involvement Day in Tennessee in recognition of the critical role parents play in a child’s education.

“Parents are a child’s first teacher and we must encourage strong interaction between families, communities and schools,” Gov. Bredesen said. “Family involvement in a child’s education can only lead to success and higher achievement.” (Pictured above: Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen). More from Nashville...

Across America
National Parental Involvement Daytm 2009

Schools Ready for Public School Volunteer Week April 18-24, 2010

Project Appleseed president, Kevin Walker, created National Parental Involvement Day in 1994 to provide opportunities in which parents can volunteer in their local public schools. Now, more than five million parents in 3500 school districts are involved in this effort.  2009 marks the biggest year ever! Our thanks to these states and more! Here we highlight news from across America:

Georgia State Superintendent Kathy Cox Sends "Extra-Special Thank You to Parents"

ATLANTA, GA - Today is a day I believe most educators are eager to recognize. It’s National Parent Involvement Day (November 19th). This is a time set aside each year to say an extra-special thank you to parents. (Pictured: Georgia State Superintendent Kathy Cox, left.)

The evidence is overwhelming: Students who have highly-involved families get higher grades, have fewer discipline problems, and are more likely to be successful throughout their entire life.

As the parent of two boys, one a sophomore in high school and one a sophomore in college, I know how difficult it can be to get plugged into your child’s education. Life is demanding and there is almost never enough time to get everything done, but being active in your child’s education is arguably the most important role a parent plays. Parents set the tone for education and are their child’s best teacher.  More...

Video WRDW-TV: Parents take day to get involved with their kids' education in Agusta More...



Oregon State Superintendent Castillo Recognizes Parents Play A Critical Role

SALEM, OR - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo commemorated National Parental Involvement Day, recognizing several outstanding parental outreach efforts across Oregon and encouraging all parents to take time to be engaged in their children’s education. (Picture:  Oregon schools superintendent Susan Castillo, left, and U.S. Senator Patty Murray(D-OR), center, participates in a panel discussion on education with and Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX) right)

“The evidence is overwhelming that parents play a critical role in their child’s success. Whether it is better grades, less discipline problems or overall lifetime achievement, parents who take the time to be engaged in their students’ education make a real difference,” said Castillo. “I encourage every parent to make the time in their busy schedules to stay involved in their local school – it will make a big difference for their child and help improve education for all Oregon students.” More...



PIRC at USF Employs Statewide Compact - The Florida Parental Involvement Pledge!

TAMPA, FL - The Parent Resource & Information Center at the University of South Florida supports its partners in reaching the public with opportunities involving education and is committed to making available information that encourages parental involvement in education for student achievement. During the month of November, the PIRC made the Florida Parental Involvement Pledge available online for the month of November 2009, in both English and Spanish. If you have news on relevant parental involvement events or topics that would be of benefit to Florida’s families and educators, please contact the PIRC @ USF so that it can be reviewed and considered for posting. More...



Oklahoma:  Pledge promises school volunteering, reading

MUSKOGEE, OK - Peggy Willard is an old pro when it comes to volunteering at her grandkids’ school, Harris-Jobe Elementary.

“I always try to be hired as a monitor for the testing period they have here in the spring, and I always try to be involved in other functions,” she said.

Willard put that involvement in writing Thursday when she joined her granddaughters at a Thanksgiving luncheon and parental involvement program at Harris-Jobe on National Parent Involvement Day. Muskogee public schools used Thanksgiving lunches as a way to encourage more parents, grandparents and others to get involved with their children’s education.

MPS Parent Involvement Coordinator Kathleen Harris said parents attending the lunches were encouraged to sign a Parent Involvement Pledge. The pledge committed signers to volunteer at least five hours of time at their children’s school and to spend at least 15 minutes each school night reading or working with their children.

Pictured above: Harris-Jobe Elementary fourth-grader Kerrigan Medlock, 9, watches her grandmother, Peggy Willard, sign the Muskogee Parental Involvement Pledge during a Thanksgiving lunch Thursday at her school. Parents, grandparents and other adults throughout Muskogee Public Schools are being encouraged to spend more time with their children’s education. More...



Texas Charter School Says Parents Are Stars!

by Ruth Campbell Midland Reporter-Telegram
MIDLAND, TX - Parents picking up their children from Midland Academy Charter School on Thursday got a boost to mark National Parent Involvement Day in the form of some candy and a handbill saying "MACS Parents are Stars."

Signs, banners and balloons were posted throughout the campus, one of the school's chain link fences sported a signed banner saying "Our Parents are Great," and letters from kids expressing their gratitude to parents were sent home.

State and Federal Programs Coordinator Kathy Cornelius said the federal Title I program emphasizes parental involvement.  More...


about us
Project Appleseed is a major educational resource and advocate for parents and families engaged in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness in America’s public schools.  We are a catalyst in the implementation of effective, research based, model parent and community involvement programs that increase social capital, improves the lives of families and revitalizes schools and communities across the United States.   In 1994 our leadership advised the Clinton Administration, on the original parental involvement provisions of Section 1118 of the reauthorization of Title I.  Project Appleseed was named top 10 education and parent leader in the United States by the editors of both Teacher & Parenting magazines.  Our web site is the #1 ranked resource for 'parental involvement in public schools' in Google, & Yahoo!.  Please contact Project Appleseed should you have questions about organizing parental involvement in America’s public schools. 

October 2009

Appleseed Joins Duncan's Calls for
Aggressive Efforts To Lift Worst Schools

October 2009, CHICAGO, IL - Following an "emotional meeting'' with a dozen Chicago Public School students, Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education called for a "national conversation'' about values and teen violence and said he will visit other cities "to talk with people and find ways to protect our children".  Secretary Duncan told more than 400 of the nation’s leaders in educational philanthropy - including Project Appleseed President Kevin Walker - gathered in Chicago that reforming education is a collaborative effort of schools, funders and his department. (Above, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Project Appleseed President Kevin Walker in Chicago, IL, Picture: Robert Thorton, News Photography Network).  More....

Walker Expresses Support for New
Missouri Education Commissioner Nicastro
Applauds AFT President Weingarten's Four C's"

ST. LOUIS, MO —  United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told a crowd gathered at a St. Louis Public school that he supported an unlikely collaborative efforts by St. Louis Public Schools and AFT St. Louis, schools that serve whole communities, high-quality charter schools and aggressive efforts to lift the country's worst schools from the bottom. (Pictured: Missouri Commissioner of Education Dr. Chris Nicastro.)

The American Federation of Teachers invited Duncan to Lexington Elementary, 5030 Lexington Avenue, to highlight new partnerships between the union and St. Louis Public School administration.

Almost 300 — including Project Appleseed President Kevin Walker, new Missouri Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro, Mayor Francis Slay, union and district leaders, teachers, and even a few students — gathered in the school gymnasium to hear Duncan and national AFT president Randi Weingarten speak.

"Finally we see cooperation in St. Louis Public Schools.  This is an enviroment in which gains can be made in community involvement as well.  They are talking the talk.  The rest remains to be seen. We need strong state leadership to help struggling schools like those in St. Louis.  Dr. Nicastro says that she needs everybody's help to ensure all schools in Missouri are successful. We are ready and willing to do whatever is needed across the state.  Dr. Nicastro has our support," said Project Appleseed President Kevin Walker in St. Louis.   More....



National Parental Involvement Day Is November 19th, 2009


Project Appleseed began National Parental Involvement Day in 1994 and Public School Volunteer Week in 1997, to provide opportunities in which parents can volunteer in their local public schools. Five million parents in 3500 school districts are involved in this effort. Below we provide examples of their dedication to this cause.

Join us on the 17th Annual National Parental Involvement Day, third Thursday of November 2009 and the 13th Annual Public School Volunteer Week, the third full week of April in 2010. The campaign wants more parents and caregivers to take the Parental Involvement Pledge. The Pledge is a written learning compact in which parents commit to be involved in a child's education. The Pledge is the most widely distributed learning compact in the United States and our celebrations are observed from coast-to-coast.  More....



In Maryland An Opportunity for More Parent Involvement

Continuing the theme of parent involvement, the Maryland Department of Education announced that October has been declared Maryland Parent Involvement Month.  It is the first time Maryland has designated a month to spotlight how important parent involvement is to a child's academic success. The entire month will be dedicated to raising awareness of the types of parent involvement at schools across Maryland, in preparation for National Parent Involvement Day on Nov. 19.

In the same vein, FCPS has announced its participation in the national Be There campaign. Be There is a research-based, multimedia campaign designed to inspire parents to become more involved in their children's lives and their education, according to an FCPS press release.  All schools are displaying posters with the Be There message. FCPS Television is running a public service announcement and a web page dedicated to the program is on the FCPS website at www.fcps.org.  A marketing and public relations firm produces the campaign materials and localizes them for FCPS free of charge, according to the release. The school system's only cost is for printing.  More information is available at www.fcps.org/bethere, or www.bethere.org.



Colorado School Models Itself After Project Appleseed & PTA

Burlington Elementary School's Power of 3 is modeled after national parent volunteer programs, such as Project Appleseed and the Parent Teacher Association’s Three 4 Me, but it also accommodates working parents’ lives.

BOULDER COLORADO - A frazzled businesswoman yapping on a cell phone. A punk mom with dark lipstick and a jet black wig. A man.

Not exactly the images that come to mind when thinking of typical parent volunteers.

But Burlington Elementary School’s Power of 3 program wants to chip away those stereotypes.

The parent volunteer program, which began this school year, is structured to welcome all guardians, said Erin Angel, the co-volunteer coordinator.

“We really get to know a lot more people,” said Angel, the mother of 6-year-old first-grader Liam. “We’re not just one stereotypical group. The most rewarding part is seeing people who don’t fit in this mold of a ‘parent volunteer’ connect with other parents.”

As part of the campaign, parents created a video depicting reasons people shy away from school volunteerism. Among them are a lack of time, not being the “PTO-type” or the idea that only moms volunteer.  More....


Appleseed Endorses Florida's Worst-To-First Campaign
Join the Fight for Florida's Kids,  Take the Pledge!

ORLANDO, FL - Project Appleseed has endorsed Florida's Worst To First campaign headed by "Bud" Chiles, son of the late Governor Lawton Chiles, who served as both Governor and Senator in Florida for nearly 30 years.  Worst To First is a statewide advocacy campaign to make children's issues the top priority for Florida's leaders.

Is Florida the worst? Yes, in nearly every measure of how our state pays for and provides care to vulnerable children, our state is at or near the bottom of the national rankings.

As the 4th largest state in the country, and one of the most prosperous, Florida should be a leader in the health, education, and investment we make in our children’s future.

And we once were: Florida led the country with innovative programs to make sure every child entered kindergarten ready to learn. We developed cutting-edge anti-smoking programs that cut the rates of teen smoking dramatically, using the money we obtained from suing the big tobacco companies to do it.

But now, instead of being first—or even among the upper half of states on indicators of the child well-being, we are in the bottom 10 to 15, competing for 50th with Mississippi and Texas in the percent of working parents who go to sleep at night worrying that if their kids get sick, they won’t be able to afford to take them to the doctor.   More....


Australian School Looks to Project Appleseed As Model

Dear Project Appleseed,
 
I am writing as a parent member of a newly formed group considering School-Family- Community Partnerships at our local school in Donnybrook Western Australia. We are investigating a new Framework, that is part of an Australian Government Federal initiative,  that identifies key dimensions and strategies aimed at strengthening these partnerships.
 
In the course of our research we became aware of Project Appleseed and as you would already be aware, your project is aimed directly at the issues we are considering. In particular, the resources that you provide, would greatly assist us. It is obvious to us that the same research informs both our Federal Framework and your Project, except that your project provides an exciting toolbox and other resources for implementing those strategies. Interestingly our small town is known as an apple-growing centre and annually hosts an Apple Festival - as you might expect the name of your project is inspiring for us all though particularly at a community level.
 
I would like to enquire whether, as a school in Australia, there is a way that we can participate in Project Appleseed. As we are not a U.S School, are we able to purchase a toolbox? If not, could perhaps a 'partnership' with a school already running the Project be considered, it might be an interesting learning opportunity for school communities to communicate internationally and allow us access to the Project?
 
We would greatly appreciate your suggestions regarding this matter. It is our hope that our own Partnerships Project will be launched in the near future and it would be wonderful if we could consider using Project Appleseed as the vehicle for delivering our vision : "Families and Schools work together as partners in the education of children and young people".
 
We look forward to you reply.
 
Kind Regards
Kathleen Langdon (Secretary)
Parents and Citizens Association
Donnybrook District High School
Western Australia


about us
Project Appleseed is a major educational resource and advocate for parents and families engaged in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness in America’s public schools.  We are a catalyst in the implementation of effective, research based, model parent and community involvement programs that increase social capital, improves the lives of families and revitalizes schools and communities across the United States.   In 1994 our leadership advised the Clinton Administration, on the original parental involvement provisions of Section 1118 of the reauthorization of Title I.  Project Appleseed was named top 10 education and parent leader in the United States by the editors of both Teacher & Parenting magazines.  Our web site is the #1 ranked resource for 'parental involvement in public schools' in Google, & Yahoo!.  Please contact Project Appleseed should you have questions about organizing parental involvement in America’s public schools.  

Latest education news from Appleseed Today on school reform, parental involvement, fitness and nutrition, green schools, capital campaigns, school construction and broadband. New blog entries are at the bottom of the page.

June 2009

By Kevin Walker, Project Appleseed President & National Director

June 2009 - We need a new foundation for parental involvement in public schools.  Nearly everything in public education is measured except the level of parent and family involvement.  What are the metrics?  How many schools can report the number of volunteers or volunteer hours in a year?  How much does volunteerism affect the school budget?  Do you know how much social capital your schools raise and leverage?  President Obama and Congress have included $100 million in funds dedicated to parental involvement under Title I of the ARRA - the  American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  America needs effective and quantifiable parent involvement.

"As I travel the country and visit schools, I have been struck by how almost everyone pays lip service to parent and family involvement, but few seriously apply themselves to making it happen. Why is this?  So much progress has been made in recent years in other areas of school reform - reductions in class size, establishment of challenging academic standards, increase in after-school reading and math programs - why not in parent and family involvement?", wrote Bob Chase, past president of the National Education Association (NEA), in his book the New Public School Parent.  " The research evidence is beyond dispute. When schools work together with families to support learning, very good things happen: student attitudes, attendance, homework, and report cards improve."  More....

Melissa P. Earls joins Project Appleseed as Executive Assistant to President & National Director Kevin Walker.  Ms. Earls gives her extensive educational experience to Project Appleseed in Pre K-12 educational administration, curriculum and assessment and school reform.  She is certified as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, and assistant principal at all PreK-12 schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Ms. Earls is the former Assistant Superintendent of the Mendon–Upton Regional School District in Mendon, MA. She has served as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment and was an assistant high school principal in North Brookfield Public Schools in North Brookfield, MA.  Ms. Earls develops, implements and manages special projects, initiatives and assignments for Project Appleseed.  She acts on behalf of Mr. Walker and serves as a liaison to the White House, Office of the Secretary of the United States Department of Education, members of the U.S. Congress and Senate and state and local government.  Ms. Earls is Project Appleseed’s liaison to higher education, nonprofit groups, and corporations.  Ms. Earls is a native of Boston, MA.   For Bio's of Project Appleseed Directors and Project advisor's click here.


technology & broadband

Innovative Technology Education Fund provides grants to public and private schools that enhance learning and improve student achievement by integrating technology into the classroom. Special consideration is given to wireless technology applications and/or projects benefiting students in economically disadvantaged areas, or from schools which currently perform at below-average levels in academic achievement.   In 2001 Missouri Governor Jay Nixon - then Attorney General - appointed Project Appleseed President Kevin Walker to the Board of Directors of ITEF.  In April, Mr. Walker, a parent of four University City High School graduates, was elected to a third three year term to the foundation's board after a year long hiatus.  "I've enjoyed developing grants with KDHX, St. Roch's and other fine schools and nonprofits in the St. Louis region and I look forward to many more years on the board," said Mr. Walker.

A sampling of projects ITEF funds include computer and telecommunications equipment (computers, Smart Boards, Wireless devices, etc.) Infrastructure to build networks, wireless access, and/or training for educators to enhance learning through the implementation and integration of technology in classroom instruction. The Fall Grant Cycle will open soon - Click here to see if your school is eligible for 2009 - Grant deadline September 11, 2009.  View our Spring grants below with full details here.  Please note:  The grants to the St. Louis Public Schools have been approved by ITEF, but are considered "tentative" until officially accepted by the St. Louis Public School Board.

ITEF Spring Grant Awards Brittany Woods Middle School    $8,974.00 Earl Nance Sr. Elementary    $5051.00 Fanning Middle School    $13,371.99 Gateway High School IT    $12,343.00 Griscom School    $10,776.59 Kennard Elementary    $14,467.03 Lutheran Assoc. of Special Ed.    $17,000.00 Messiah Lutheran School    $3,000.00

St. Charles Borromeo School    $847.00 St. Gerard Majella Parish    $5,997.00 St. Katharine Drexel School    $3,000.00 St. Mark’s Lutheran School    $10,300.00 Trinity Lutheran School    $2,000.00 Vashon High School    $12,811.24 Wedgwood Elementary    $14,480.00 Zion Lutheran School    $9,268.99

school contruction & capital campaigns
Taxpayer Relief: District Supplements Bond Issue With Alumni Fund Raising

Webster Groves School Board Thanks Walker & Committee As High School Capital Campaign Quickly Tops $250,000 Goal  

Parents deserve a school district that works for them and spends their money wisely.  Responsible stewardship of taxpayers dollars means maximizing the impact of those dollars by also raising significant funds from private sources.  In one year, "Investing in the Next 100 Years," a capital campaign conducted by a committee of Webster alumni, has raised $265,000 to complete and equip two spacious, gleaming rooms below Webster Groves High School's new gymnasium that can be used for fitness, dance, wrestling and other activities. The new spaces are used before, during and after school each day by students and staff.  The capital campaign follows a $40 million bond issue and is based in part on the alumni funding tactics Project Appleseed initially developed for University City High School.

Pat Voss, former WGHS principal and alumni coordinator, said that the building upgrades made possible by alumni touched every High School student. "When you give, you are opening doors for students," she said. "Our alumni understand that and we are very grateful for their interest and generosity throughout our campaign."

Kevin Walker was a member of the District's Capital Campaign Committee and he and committee members were thanked by the Board of Education for their work on behalf of WGHS.  "We also want to thank the Board, Superintendent Brent Underwood and Pat Voss for their trust and responsible stewardship of our tax dollars.  It is my hope that the alumni of Webster will fund a large portion of the $80 million needed to make this building green and last another 100 years, " said Mr. Walker, a member of the class of 1979. Mr. Walker was also asked to address the Board on the issue of what to name the new gymnasium at WGHS. More....

Webster Tapped Walker To Pitch District's $80 Million Green Stimulus

The Webster Groves School District asked Kevin Walker to help organize the District's push for $80 million in economic stimulus funds for Webster Groves High School.  This figure represents the total technology, plumbing and modernization costs for the green renovation of WGHS to a LEED Gold Certification and could create 600 construction jobs.  WGHS is 101 years old and this funding would make the high school a model green project for old public school buildings.  Mr. Walker introduced district leadership and the funding package to Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, U.S. Representative Russ Carnahan (D 3rd) and Congressional District Director Jim McHugh along with state and local leaders such as St. Louis County Councilwoman Barbara Fraser. Mr. Walker is a Webster Groves High School alum, former student body president and a member of the WGHS Wall of Fame.

community
Appleseed Joins Carnahan In Social Justice

U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan (D 3rd) visited Avery Elementary in February, to celebrate Black History Month. Project Appleseed coordinated the visit to Avery at the request of Congressman Callahan's district office.  He met with district parents, Project Appleseed President Kevin Walker, Webster Groves Superintendent Brent Underwood, Asst. Superintendent, Chief Financial Officer, Diane Moore and Avery Principal  Don Furjes.  Carnahan came to discuss Avery's social justice activities and read a book about Jackie Robinson to students. In this photo, he answers questions from fifth graders. They wanted to know whether he'd met President Barack Obama, whether he worked in the Senate or the House of Representatives and whether it was hard to dress up every day.

no child left behind
Appleseed Asks White House to Invest $1.8 Billion More In Title I Parent Involvement
Recent education reform efforts have overwhelmingly focused on schools and educators, neglecting one of the most significant resources in the entire process: parents. Tragically, parent involvement is often an afterthought in the school reform debate in this nation, or worse. During the Bush administration, significant gains made in parental involvement have been eviscerated, as parents are now encouraged to make their primary “involvement” simply the rejection or abandonment of so-called failing schools. Meanwhile a fundamental truth is being neglected: Parents represent a key to making schools better in the first place.

Project Appleseed seeks to increase the nation’s family involvement capacity - a multi-billion dollar resource. If 100 million parents, grandparents, and caring adults volunteered 10 hours in America’s public schools each year, they would contribute one billion man hours - critical to increasing student achievement for the nation’s 50 million K-12 students. More....

fitness and nutrition
Students and Families Make 'Draft' Day Special

speakers bureau
Kevin Walker was the keynote speaker at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, April 7th.  Western Washington University has magnificent natural scenery, Mt. Baker skiing and snowboarding, hiking, arts and theater, charming villages and waterfront adventures like whale watching, the Bellingham Mt. Baker region is a unique area of Washington state.  Western Washington is located 30 miles from the Canadian border. Mr. Walker was the guest of Students for Educational Equality and the Associated Students of Washington. On April 15, Mr. Walker was the guest of St. Louis Public Schools and Gateway High School IT Principal Beth Bender.  He was the featured speaker for the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony.  Mr. Walker urged students to become community organizers and to give back to their communities.

about us
Project Appleseed is a major educational resource and advocate for parents and families engaged in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness in America’s public schools.  We are a catalyst in the implementation of effective, research based, model parent and community involvement programs that increase social capital, improves the lives of families and revitalizes schools and communities across the United States.   In 1994 our leadership advised the Clinton Administration, on the original parental involvement provisions of Section 1118 of the reauthorization of Title I.  Project Appleseed was named top 10 education and parent leader in the United States by the editors of both Teacher & Parenting magazines.  Our web site is the #1 ranked resource for 'parental involvement in public schools' in Google, & Yahoo!.  Please contact Project Appleseed should you have questions about organizing parental involvement in America’s public schools.  

Latest education news from Appleseed Today on school reform, parental involvement, fitness and nutrition, green schools, capital campaigns, school construction and broadband. New blog entries are at the bottom of the page.

520 MELVILLE AVENUE / ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63130 / Ph. (615) 686-2195  Fax (314) 725-2319 / www.projectappleseed.org  / headquarters@projectappleseed.org











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