Project GRAD Parent Board

Submitted by: Valerie J. Hamilton, Project GRAD Knoxville Parent Board of Trustees Member

Project GRAD USA National Conference
September 17th & 18th
Washington, DC


Recently, I had the honor and privilege to attend the annual Project GRAD USA National Conference in Washington, D.C along with Jerry Hodges, Project GRAD Knoxville Executive Director, Vrondelia Chandler, Associate Director, Cornelia Reece, Family & Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Montina Jones, KCS Director of Urban Schools and fellow Project GRAD Parent Board member, Janice Hall. The general purpose of the two-day conference was to offer informative sessions regarding financial support, leadership, professional development and parent board discussion.

The conference provided the perfect opportunity to attend a group meeting that included parents from Project GRAD sites around the country. We were able to discuss many topics that impact our children’s education. Some of the topics discussed included parent and community involvement, effectiveness of small community learning environments, improving student study habits, providing college students with additional support programs they need to complete their field of study and much more. I was particularly impressed by the candid discussion we were able to initiate regarding the importance of introducing higher education to children as early as possible. The Sallie Mae Fund and Project GRAD have partnered to ensure students understand the importance of higher education by introducing a new “Kids2College” curriculum. “Kids2College” is an award-winning program that exposes low-income and minority sixth-grade students to the value and accessibility of a higher education. It is based on partnerships with local community groups, schools/districts, colleges and universities. Students in at-risk communities participate in the innovative six-session program that combines hands-on activities with information on careers, college life and academic preparation. The program culminates with a visit to a local college campus for both students and their parents.

The second day of the conference was especially exciting. Each Project GRAD site had an opportunity to meet with its respective state’s legislative representatives.The primary focus of these meetings was to thank the representatives for their support of Project GRAD and to discuss the impact Project GRAD has on their communities and families. Project GRAD Knoxville met with Congressman John J. Duncan Jr. and staffers David Cleary, Ryan Berger and Mark White from the offices of Tennessee State Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Coker. Each of our representatives listened very attentively as I shared what a difference the introduction of Project GRAD made in the life of my own child as well as the lives of so many other young people who had no intention of achieving higher education, until Project GRAD presented them hope for a brighter tomorrow and a limitless future. I also shared my concerns that face inner-city schools and public education.
As a parent, it meant so much to be heard by persons who are in a position to invoke the much needed changes to our educational system. I left these meetings feeling a sense of empowerment and pride.

Finally, words cannot convey the gratitude I feel having been a part of this experience. After having the opportunity to meet individuals from other PGK sites and discuss the operation of their programs, I feel even more confident that Project GRAD Knoxville is definitely on the right path. I am truly thankful that our Project GRAD Staff work so hard to go that extra mile to provide innovative ideas to keep our program moving forward. I have no doubt that with the support of our GOD, Project GRAD staff, community and parents (The Village) our children can do nothing but SUCCEED!

Thank you

Valerie J. Hamilton

Submitted by: Janice Hall, Project GRAD Knoxville Parent Board of Trustees Member

My Washington, D.C. Experience

I am a Project GRAD parent of a 7th grade student at Vine Middle Magnet School. My name is Janice Hall and I'd like to tell you about my Washington D.C. experience.

I've just returned from Project GRAD USA National Meeting, which was held in Washington D.C. on September 17-18th, 2008. I was accompanied by Jerry Hodges, Montina Jones, Ronni Chandler, Cornelia Reece, & Valerie Hamilton. It was well planned and organized and was a most memorable and inspiring conference. After arriving on Wednesday, we registered and had a delicious lunch along with a welcome and plenary session led by Robert Rivera. We were joined by other PG sites to include Project GRAD Akron, Atlanta, Brownsville, Cincinnati, Houston, Kenai Peninsula, Knoxville, Long Island, Lorain, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Newark, New Orleans, Ohio, PG USA Board Members, and Staff members. Other speakers included keynote speaker Margot Tyler-Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Beverly Hall-Atlanta Public Schools, David Tandberg-Pennsylvania Dept.of Education, Erin Korsvall-The Sallie Mae Fund and Jim Ketelsen-Project GRAD Founder, and USA Board Chairman. All of the speakers were excellent, but one thing that has stuck with me the most is the belief of the Gates Foundation that "all lives have equal value and to whom much is given much is required." That is a true statement and it really drives home what the goal of PG founder Jim Ketlelsen was "to improve, expand, reach more kids and make more successful." After a brief introduction to Sallie Mae Fund-Kids2College we transitioned to one of three strands. Cornelia, Valerie, and I attended Lumina Foundation for Education Parents National Meeting where we were joined by parents from the other PG sites.

Each one told a little about ourselves and gave our opinions of what is an advocate and what do they do. There were a lot of varying opinions given. I was very proud that PG Knoxville and Houston were the only sites that have a functioning parent trustee board. The other sites were very interested in hearing how we are successful in getting the cooperation of other parents to get involved and participate. We discussed Parent Leadership for College Access, which the purpose of is to engage all parents during the child's 13 years of education in activities to ensure a student graduates from high school and gains access to college by serving as parent promoters, advocates and advisors. Parents as promoters are a child's best support, role model, demonstrates leadership, mentors, coaches, innovator and advocate. Parents as advocates are actively involved, persuades others to get involved, volunteers, challengers, community developers, serves on advisory board and committees. Parents as advisors are co-trainers, participates in focus groups, the media, good listener, parent-child innovator, mediator and facilitators. The goals of parent leadership are to support other parents, to act as a leader, change agent, partner, facilitator, encourager and to support quality programs that support successful parent-child and community engagement and student success. There was so much to talk about that we ran out of time, but agreed to have an annual meeting and once per quarter a conference call to include all sites. We were asked to think about what goals we want to accomplish with our campus managers. We all left with a commitment to be a lifelong learner.

We then went to a reception for congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy who is one of many supporters of PG.

On Thursday morning we attended a continental breakfast and briefing with executive directors before heading to congresstional meetings. Robert Rivera made an announcement that Jim Ketelsen was retiring and Laurens Tullock would replace him as PG Board Chairman. Welcome remarks were given by David L. Brewer III, Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District. Each PG site was to meet with their respective state's Member of Congress. We then had a legislative overview for a successful congressional meeting.

We're off to Capitol Hill where we met with staffers from Senator Lamar Alexander and Senator Bob Corker's office. We had an actual meeting with Congressman Jimmy Duncan and he took pictures with each one of us before we left. He was very personable. Valerie told him he was the first one she'd ever voted for, he was beaming with delight. We all laughted, this really lightend the moment. This was an invaluable experience for me, one I'll never forget.

We had a few hours before we were scheduled to leave so we did a mini tour. I took a few pictures and bought a couple of souvenirs. I saw the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Vietnam Memorial. I wish we didn't have to leave so soon, but I've got to get back home. As you can see we had a full schedule.

Our next event is Project GRAD Walk for Success campaign and I'm looking forward to taking part in that. After all, that's what a parent advocate does, get involved.

Thank You

Janice Hall