What is Parent University?
Parent University's mission is to increase educational attainment among students in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools by providing parents with the tools that build success, thus increasing parent participation and engagement with the school system and the greater community.
Parent University aims to connect parents and caregivers with their child’s school, the school system, and community organizations through opportunities for learning. Families who play an active role in their child's education positively contribute to that child's academic and social success. Parents will learn the necessary skills to engage effectively with the school system and take advantage of the multiple opportunities for personal development and self-improvement available in the community.
Community Partners         | Parents who participated in Parent University last year said: "If you’ve got your
average parent who’s just struggling, like we all are, to make it every day as
a human being, as a parent, I think Parent University can actually instill a
lot of confidence, so I think it’s a good thing … you just feel like you’re
doing the right thing, and you’re actually learning something that you can pass
on to your child."
"I really think that it’s important. Especially for me, as an African American, going to the town meetings and just [seeing] the lack of us that are involved. I think that is a big deal. And I would advocate more of us need to participate … A lot of times there are things that are being offered throughout the town that you just don’t know about … But I think with Parent University listing a lot of the different things that go on and where, that made a big difference, just to be aware [that] this is out here." "I like that they gave you little cards at the graduation to hand to teachers, to say you’re a part of Parent University and here’s my card. And it has your name and all the ways they can talk to you so they can’t say, ‘I don’t have this.’ So yeah, I like that part. I’m a very important person. " "We have to update ourselves for them, not just for ourselves but also for them. At some point they’re going to need support. If we stay here, stuck in our own time, we’re not going to be able to help our kids." |