Decatur Public School District holds second Parent University program

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The Decatur Public School District held its second Parent University program Thursday.

Parents and students gathered at MacArthur High School.

They were able to learn about college readiness topics like filling out FASFA forms or talking to military recruiters.

People were also able to learn about job opportunities in the community.

Leaders said they want to bring all of the resources to one spot.

DPS Assistant Superintendent for Teach and Learning Larry Gray said, "A program like this one in the community is important. Students will have access and have opportunities for the next step when they leave."

Administrators said holding these programs will help parents get more involved in the schools.

DPS Superintendent Dr. Rochelle Clark previously explained the program to WAND News saying, "Parents may not know how to address your child that may be failing in school, how to work with cell phone issues. The things that are locked away in cell phones like you may thing you are looking at a calculator, but there may be notes hidden in the app. "

These changes come after several fights within DPS, including one where parents were involved. Dr. Clark said students missed crucial learning during COVID, including social-emotional skills like emotional regulation. The administrator said without parents stepping up, these skills won't be taught to students.

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"If we don't work together, we're going to miss something and we do not want our kids falling through the cracks," said Dr. Clark. "So what we are saying in school, we're actually hoping our parents are saying the same things when they get home."

Dr. Clark said she wants to empower parents to have tough conversations with their kid and be supportive. She also wants to see parents get more involved in schools.

For more information and upcoming events, click HERE.