By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Providence Public Schools are expanding their offerings of advanced placement classes and creating a Providence Parent Academy to give parents the tools the need to play a more meaningful role in their students’ education.
“The overarching theme of this press event today is to say to parents: we heard you,” Providence Superintendent of Schools Susan Lusi said Monday as she announced the two initiatives.
She unveiled a plan to offer advanced placement classes at two middle schools and one high school, but added the particular schools have not yet been selected.
Lusi also said that the Providence schools along with the Paul Cuffee School will launch the Providence Parent Academy, “to provide families with the tools and resources they need to become more meaningfully engaged in their children’s education,” in the words of a news release.
“We have to create a complete village feel to educate our children,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza.
“Families, from those who have advanced degrees to those who have not finished high school have something in common,” said Christopher Haskins, the Head of School at the Paul Cuffee School, “the desire to support their children in academic success at school.”
A catalog distributed by the school department included courses such as, “Healthy Eating on a Budget”, “Financial Aid 101”, “English for Speakers of Other Languages”, “What to Expect on the New State Assessment for Math (PARCC)”, “Services for Students with Special Needs” and others.
The courses are offered in part with support from hospital operator Lifespan of about $12,000.
