Parents are going back to school with LCS new initiative

Lexington City Schools parents and guardians, to some degree, are returning to school just
like their children.

The Jacket Parent Academy, a new, creative and enjoyable initiative to increase parent
involvement, invites parents to attend monthly, equitable and diverse educational sessions to
learn and increase their understanding of particular academic elements as well as encourage
parental importance, self-care and confidence in themselves while assisting their children
academically.

Parents receive accolades for attending sessions with the ultimate accolade of graduating
from the academy at the end of the year, just as a high school senior would.
In addition to the monthly sessions, the academy also motivates and spotlights parents to
share their time and special talents (when feasible) to volunteer in or for our schools.

Through providing parental sessions and opportunities to volunteer, the Jacket Parent
Academy (JPA) will serve as an outlet for parents to express views, share concerns and ask
questions regarding the education of their child/children and help to alleviate some of the
parental stressors associated with the work-life-child-school balance.

With parent involvement and applying what is learned from the academy, parents can aid
their children (students) in regards to confidence, accountability, grades, attendance and
relationships. Studies have shown that when parents are involved, improvement is shown in
all of the areas above along with behavior, attitude, social skills and teacher/student/parent
bonds.

In addition to parent involvement, community involvement is also an integral component of
JPA. Organizations in the LCS community donate their time and incentives to encourage
parent participation and graduation from the program. Community organizations are also “on
hand” and prepared to assist with the necessary personal resources in the event parents
have a need.

JPA is here to help parents excel while they help their children excel. JPA will support
parents in their involvement and assist parents in striving for student-parent success in
student academics.

To learn more about JPA, visit the LCS website (lexcs.org, Parents & Students tab, Jacket
Parent Academy).

Parents who wish to join the academy can contact the LCS Community Engagement
Coordinator, Dr. Kasey Wilkie at kwilkie@lexcs.org.