Parental Engagement Program (PEP) Graduates!

(From the July 2008 Newsletter)

Back in the fall of 2004, the Investment Committee had a strong interest in selecting a project that dealt directly with public schools. After a number of discussions with different organizations dealing with public education in the Portland metropolitan area we finally found a way. Through guidance from the Portland Schools Foundation and the vision of John Horn, then principal at Kelly Elementary school, the Parental Engagement Program – PEP – was born.

Now, almost four years later, we are proud of what has been accomplished in terms of measurable change and impact in the two schools selected for PEP, Kelly and Clark Elementary Schools in southeast Portland. At Kelly, major improvements were made in volunteer recruitment, parent attendance to school conferences and events, Latino parents’ involvement and room parents for every grade. In addition, we tracked the progress of 25 children belonging to these engaged parents and there was dramatic progress in their reading scores. At Clark, parental involvement was significantly increased through a major event per trimester including Reading Night with well-known author Eric Kimmel, and Science Night with the OMSI travelling lab.

The School Advisory Boards established at both schools brought together representatives of the school, community and business enabling Clark and Kelly to address projects that would’ve been impossible for the school alone to address. Both principals have expressed immense gratitude to SVPP for driving these efforts. Sharon Allen, principal at Kelly said, “The project which in my opinion most illustrated a capacity building experience was our playground” referring to the guidance that SVPP provided for the playground fundraising efforts. The new playground was finally installed last month after seven years of discussion! Clark’s Advisory Board expanded the school's Chess Club (see article below), formed a technology committee, and enhanced in-classroom libraries by launching an annual book drive for both Clark and Kelly. Christine Aanderud, principal at Clark, said “PEP enlarged, enhanced and brought a much deeper experience to Clark.”

Although SVPP’s funding of PEP has come to an end, we are delighted that the program will be expanded to cover four schools. This is the truest recognition of the impact of our funds and efforts. As was the case with Kelly, the program will be managed by SUN (Schools Unifying Neighborhoods) and administered by Portland Impact. This is only the beginning; Portland Impact’s goal is to have PEP at 20 SUN schools for the 2009-2010 school year.