MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blount, Barnett, Butler (38th), Frazier, Jackson (11th), McLendon, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Thomas
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF PARENTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS (PPS) AND COMMENDING THE MISSION AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THIS RESPECTED ORGANIZATION ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR GALA CELEBRATION ON MARCH 5, 2022.
WHEREAS, we join the public education community of Mississippi and chapters across the nation in commending the history and accomplishments of Parents for Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, on March 5, 2022, PPS will celebrate its 30th Anniversary with a Virtual Gala Celebration. This event will raise funds to continue PPS's vital work to ensure that quality public education is available to all children. This 30th Anniversary Gala features a special message from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, a keynote address by World-Renowned Speaker and Author, Dr. Pedro Noguera, the Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education, with additional special congratulatory video messages from prominent education leaders and recognition of PPS luminaries and founder, Dick Molpus; and
WHEREAS, Parents for Public Schools started in Mississippi 30 years ago as a grassroots effort by parents who believed that strong public schools are the cornerstone of any community and essential to a democratic society. Founding parents first focused on recruiting middle-class families to stay in or come back to their public schools in the aftermath of desegregation. In doing this, they helped strengthen their fellow citizens' civic responsibility toward public schools and helped them develop understanding and skills to navigate a new and confusing public education landscape; and
WHEREAS, PPS works to restore and improve relationships between parents and schools and schools and communities to help more children succeed in school, guarantee equitable treatment for all children and increase access to quality public education for more families. Because parents invest in and entrust their children to their public schools, and because public schools largely determine the strength of any community, PPS believes that parents and communities are co-owners and primary stakeholders of public education. To this end, PPS promotes transparency, reciprocity and accountability as core elements of partnerships between schools, school districts and families; and
WHEREAS, PPS supports a network of local chapters of parents, families and community stakeholders to support and strengthen high-quality, equitable public education, to sponsor candidate forums during school board campaigns, to conduct school tours of public schools in collaboration with local realtors and to identify key local issues for resolution; and
WHEREAS, PPS designs, facilitates and provides training for parents and community partners to boost their understanding, skills, and leadership in engaging with schools and school districts to advocate for achieving high-quality
public education. Trainings are designed to reach parents for students at all levels of development, from early childhood to high school graduation; and
WHEREAS, PPS organizes and mobilizes local community and parent coalitions to bring their voices to state policymakers about the critical value and needs of quality and responsive public education for children across diverse communities. Parents take leadership roles in engaging and educating others in their community about the implications of proposed state, as well as local policies; and
WHEREAS, PPS engages in action research and pilots strategies to advance the fundamental civic role of parent and stakeholder coalitions. In urban, suburban and rural communities, PPS brings together diverse stakeholder groups to build and maintain a constituency for quality public schools; and
WHEREAS, parents and community members have the right and the responsibility to protect and strengthen this essential institution of American democracy. PPS helps them understand this right and carry out their responsibilities in unique and effective ways that respond to today's public education challenges:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the 30th Anniversary of Parents for Public Schools and commend the mission and accomplishments of this respected organization on the occasion of their Gala Celebration on March 5, 2022, and extend our best wishes to the national education dignitaries on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Joann Mickens, Executive Director of PPS, forwarded to the State Board of Education and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.