LCS holds celebration for parents, families and community
Jacket Parent Academy graduates pictured from left to right: Javier Zuniga, Jenele Terry, Chrisitina Lawrence, Brittany Marshall, Tabitha Dickerson, Drew Duncan, KeAndrea Glover, Chandera Creamer, Jacqueline Click, Margaret Christian and Mayra Berrier. {Contributed photo}
Lexington City Schools proudly commemorated the yearlong achievements and countless volunteer services of parents and district community volunteers at the 2023 Jacket Parent Academy (JPA) Graduation and Volunteer Ceremony on Thursday, May 18.
Designed with the goals of increasing parental involvement, encouraging parental importance and boosting parental confidence while parents support their children academically, the JPA was an initiative created by Dr. Anitra Wells, superintendent of Lexington City Schools.
With these goals in mind, 12 graduates walked the red carpet, cheered on by a group of their peers (the first graduating class of Jacket Parent Academy), signifying their participation and completion of the interactive, monthly, educational classes provided by JPA. Six additional graduates were unable to attend due to other commitments; however, those graduates will receive individual honors in the coming weeks.
Graduates attended classes to increase their understanding of particular personal and academic elements to help their children succeed academically. Classes such as financial literacy, grade-level basics, stress management, testing anxiety, parenting styles & challenges and internet & social media safety were well attended by parents. Additional classes included the celebration of cultures during the Black History Spotlight and Cinco de Mayo.
Christina Lawrence, a 2023 graduate, verbalized her favorite class was stress management where chair yoga was a spotlighted activity. Participating in other classes, while being available to volunteer, Lawrence ensured that she learned important content to be able to help her daughter who is a rising 8th grader at Lexington Middle School. “I don’t want my daughter to have to go through what I experienced.” Lawrence spoke about her challenges while in school enduring hearing loss and being unable to receive her high school diploma. As her daughter, mother and other relatives applauded her for her completion of the Jacket Parent Academy program, Lawrence happily expressed her gratitude for the substitution of the JPA graduation for what would potentially have been her high school graduation.
The JPA not only welcomes parents but all relatives who wish to partake in the program. Drew Duncan, one of three males who concluded the program, seized the benefits of the Jacket Parent Academy by attending online classes. “I joined the Jacket Parent Academy to learn how to best support my niece in her academic development” stated Duncan. “I learned how to be a better listener and to have an appreciation of how different her experiences are compared to mine at her age. The program helped me relate better and be a better uncle.” Duncan stood alongside his wife and sister-in-law who are 2022 graduates of the Jacket Parent Academy.
The class of 2022 JPA graduates introduced and handed out awards to the new graduates as well as shared their experiences in the program. Many alumni continued to attend classes this year and have been credited for parent attendance.
“This year members of the alumni were assigned to each school in our district,” said Program Director Dr. Kasey Wilkie. “Alumni members attended all events involving parents to help in recruitment efforts. During our district open house, alumni happily recruited 104 parents who expressed their interest to attend classes throughout the year. Our alumni have been very instrumental and great assets to this program.”
In addition to honoring this year’s graduates, a huge portion of the ceremony also acknowledged class instructors, community and faith-based organizations, groups and parent-teacher organizations of each school for their continuous volunteer support of donated time, goods and financial rewards to Lexington City Schools. Among the organizations that received accolades were Elevation Church of Winston-Salem, Journey Church of Lexington, the Josh Bush Foundation, the Cory Holt Foundation and the Lexington Community Ministers Conference.
Other individuals and community organizations include: NASCAR car driver Austin Dillon, City of Lexington, ANJ Consulting of Thomasville, Jess D. Photography, Artist Kenrick Jobe, Lexington (NC) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Omicron Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Family Services of Davidson County, Davidson-Davie Community College Enrollment & Recruitment, J. Alston’s Studio & Gallery of Salisbury, the Latino Association of Davidson County, Blissful Baskets, the Lexington Police Department, Davidson County Public Library, Davidson Medical Ministries, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist-Lexington Medical Center, J. Smith Young YMCA, Life Center of Davidson County, Hoppy Parties of Charlotte and Lorven Child & Family Development.
Servant’s House Ministry, First United Methodist Church of Lexington, Thomasville Church of God, Mt. Tabor United Church of Christ (Lexington), First Alliance Church (Lexington), Florida United Holy Church are among the faith-based organizations acknowledged for their outstanding contributions.
Community organizations, Hot Dog Heaven and Ladybug’s Sweet Treats provided the famous Lex-o-Dogs and sweet treats for graduates and guests.
Administrators, clubs, teachers, staff and counseling departments of LCS were applauded for their involvement with the Jacket Parent Academy.
“JPA has become a pathway of information for families and our community,” noted Wells. The parents recognized as graduates is double the size of the previous year and we hope that it at least doubles again for next year. This event was also a great opportunity to acknowledge and show appreciation of the dedication of our district volunteers. Without them, we could not provide some of the community resources needed to continue building a strong line of communication and support to families and our community.”
Wilkie is quoted as saying , “There is a steady growth of participants in the academy, whether it be parents, family members or community members. This means that individuals and groups are not only interested, but wish to be of service in any capacity to achieve the goals of the academy. Next year, there will be more incentives offered to “drive” parent and family participation and more volunteer opportunities for community individuals/ groups who wish to volunteer their time. We are so fortunate to have a conglomerate of parents, families, district administrators, staff and community who put their best foot forward in this initiative that will inevitably help our students at LCS achieve academic success.”
Since its inception, the Jacket Parent Academy has been privileged to partner with 30 community agencies who have provided nearly 48 individuals that have served as instructors for Jacket Parent Academy classes. The Jacket Parent Academy has facilitated 45 classes with 27 graduates. Volunteer hours from community and district representatives have totaled over 3,500 hours.
Graduates who weren’t able to attend were: LaKisha Lattimore, Lonelle McDonald, Tania Del Carmen, Tammara Jackson, Kayla Dela Madrid, Jacqueline Payton and Stephanie Sharrone
Submitted by Dr. Kasey Wilkie
