Gov. Heineman Proclaims October Parental
Involvement Month in Nebraska

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman today signed a proclamation declaring October to be Parental Involvement in Education Month during a visit to Everett Elementary School in Lincoln. Everett is one of 11 Lincoln schools and 65 schools in the state participating in the Nebraska Parental Information & Resources Center (PIRC) program over the next five years.

“It is important that as parents, we take every opportunity to get more actively engaged in our children’s learning,” Gov. Heineman said. “Setting high expectations, meeting with teachers and taking an active interest in their educational achievements are some of the best ways to ensure that each student is on track to meet their educational goals. I hope more parents will take this opportunity to contact their children’s schools to find out what resources exist to help them get more actively involved in their student’s learning.”

The Governor’s visit to one of Nebraska’s PIRC schools is part of a larger effort to draw attention to the need for parents to be more involved in their children’s education and promote resources already available in Nebraska schools to help parents play a bigger role in their child’s education.

The PIRC program provides information and resources to parents and educators to help strengthen partnerships between schools and families. PIRCs maintain a library of print, audio and video materials and other resources geared to parents and are supported by a network of educators, administrators, community agencies and family representatives.

Nebraska PIRC is a state-wide, collaborative project involving the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Munroe-Meyer Institute/University of Nebraska Medical Center, and the Nebraska Department of Education.

PIRC Director Dr. Lisa St. Clair said, “Children learn best when parents and schools partner together to support their learning. Parents of very young children will be supported through parent education programs and a broadly disseminated public awareness campaign.”

Currently 15 schools in Nebraska operate as satellite PIRC sites, including 11 elementary schools within the Lincoln Public School District, two Omaha Public Schools, with one site within the Walthill and UmonHon Nation Public School Districts.