PPS Updates July 2024: PPS Becomes a Member of the Evidence Advocacy Center

PPS is now a member of the Evidence Advocacy Center (EAC), a leading organization dedicated to transforming education through evidence-based resources. [Forward this message to a friend.]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [Web Site]( [View in Browser]( [Logo](   PPS UPDATES July 2024 [Image] PPS Becomes a Member of the Evidence Advocacy Center!   PPS is now a member of the [Evidence Advocacy Center]( (EAC), a leading organization dedicated to transforming education through evidence-based resources. This collaboration aims to enhance public education, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized students, by leveraging the grassroots advocacy expertise of member organizations. Together, PPS and EAC will work to ensure all students have access to educational excellence and equity Meet Our Newest Board Member: Shyann Belanger   We are thrilled to welcome Shyann Belanger to the Parents for Public Schools National Board! Shyann is a former elementary educator with international and domestic teaching experience. She is looking forward to working with PPS to strengthen public schools by bridging connections between parents, students, and school systems. Welcome, Shyann! We are excited about the contributions you will bring to PPS! Welcome to Our New Staff Member: Jarred Gibson   We are thrilled to welcome Jarred Gibson to the Parents for Public Schools team! With nearly 20 years of experience fighting for educational equity, Jarred has made a significant impact in education as a high school science teacher, coach, and professional development specialist. From 2013 to 2022, he worked with TNTP, a national education nonprofit, supporting public school districts in developing teacher coaching programs, implementing new literacy curriculum materials, and building school leader capacity. Most recently, Jarred worked at a private family foundation in North Carolina, supporting grantmaking to nonprofits advocating for public education. Now, he's excited to join PPS and help expand our work across his home state of North Carolina. We are very excited to have Jarred on board and look forward to the positive impact he will bring to PPS! PPS-Pitt County Prepares for Fall PEP   Our Parent Engagement Program (PEP) is designed to help parents and community members support their children's education. PPS-Pitt County offers PEP-Early Childhood Development and Parent Engagement Program cohorts. During the 2024-2025 school year, PPS-Pitt County will offer a PEP cohort, which is open to parents and community members dedicated to strengthening public schools. This cohort will meet from 8:30 – 2:30 EST once per month from September to May. For more details and to register for this cohort, click [here](. Additionally, PPS-Pitt County is offering a PEP-Early Childhood cohort this fall. This cohort will meet from 9:00 – 11:30 EST on September 17, October 1, October 15 and October 29. Interested participants may register [here](. By the Numbers   - 25 - Protecting the Rights of Students with Disabilities Did you know that students with disabilities make up 25% of those referred to law enforcement or subjected to school-related arrests, despite only representing 12% of the student population? This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for parents to take action to protect the rights of the 1 in 5 students with disabilities. To understand more about this issue and discover ways to advocate for these students, read this [report]( from the National Center for Learning Disabilities. - 8 - Understanding Your Child's Right in Special Education There are laws designed to protect your child's rights in special education; however, the complex legal language can be challenging to navigate. To help, we have included a [video]( that explores 8 essential parental rights in the IEP ([individualized education program)]( process. Copyright © 2024 Parents for Public Schools, Inc. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [Web Site]( [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [Powered by thedatabank, gbc.](