Parents are increasingly becoming involved in their schools
Mac Saleh, left, of the state PTA goes over some organizational information with a parent at Holbrook Elementary School where 30 parents met to form a local PTA.
By Charles Sercombe
The word is getting out.
School is the place to be.
For parents.
A new group of parents have formed a Parent Teacher Association in the public and charter schools, and are seeking to get more parents involved.
So far, 50 members have joined. Leaders of the new group recently met with the Hamtramck Public School Board to announce their effort.
The Review spoke with one of the organizers, Fateh Obaid, who said so far the group is composed of mostly Bangladeshi and Arab-American parents. But Obaid said he wants a bigger cross-section of the city to join.
He said the group formed to help students succeed in school and be able to move on to college.
“The bottom line is making our kids successful,” Obaid said. “Without education, you’re locking them out of jobs.”
Obaid concedes that it will be a challenge to get more parents involved because of their work schedules.
“It’s hard to find free time,” he said. “Some parents work 12-15 hours a day.”
On Wednesday afternoon, a group of 30 parents met at Holbrook Elementary School to elect officers of the PTA formed at the school, and to get some direction from a representative of the Michigan PTA.
Mac Saleh, of the state’s PTA, said the local PTA is “the voice of the parents.” He said parents have a keen interest in their children’s education.
“They feel that parents are not represented, have no voice in their children’s education,” Saleh said.
School Principal Russell Robinson welcomed the parents’ involvement.
“This is really exciting,” he said.
(Want to get involved? To join or form a PTA, call Fateh Obaid at 313-213-4139.)
10 Responses to Parents are increasingly becoming involved in their schools
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vee
January 28, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Will the “voice of the parents” see to it that the school district’s board meeting agendas and minutes are timely published at the web site for all parents and the community?
Kheiruddeen
February 10, 2012 at 1:54 pm
PTA Detroit, Hamtramck; The birth of One Strong Parents Voice is a great accomplishment for the success and prosperity of our children’s education.
PTA Member
February 10, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Thank you Hamtramck Review Newspaper for follow up and supporting education , parents, teachers, schools and communities events in all Michigan State..
Parent Teacher Association Member
Andre
February 10, 2012 at 2:56 pm
These group of parents is trying to force school district to be Islamic in nature. This is america wake up people. If you want islamic way of life go back home. We like our america the way it is.
PTA Member
February 10, 2012 at 5:10 pm
http://www.pta.org
About PTA
The Best Resource for Parents
As the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) reminds our country of its obligations to children and provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child while providing the best tools for parents to help their children be successful students.
PTA does not act alone. Working in cooperation with many national education, health, safety, and child advocacy groups and federal agencies, the national PTA organization collaborates on projects that benefit children and that bring valuable resources to its members.
Interested in starting a PTA? We can help. Fill out this simple form to get started.
Where is it is said it only for certain faith. It for everyone just like our great country U.S.A
Kheiruddeen
February 11, 2012 at 1:59 am
@ Andre: Sounds like u r after some publicity..btw,,nobody is trying anything and YOU ARE, as well as every human being, born Muslim in nature..but U R so ignorant u don’t know what Muslim means..anyway let’s stick to the subject “this is America” “These group of parents is…” should be “This group of parents is…” or “These groups of parents are…” Remember “this is America” go learn a little more English..btw, what’s your mother tongue?
Lisa
February 11, 2012 at 7:13 am
This sounds like a great idea but every school is different so I believe you should stick with a PTA per school instead of trying to run all of them at one time! Also, be considerate that like the economy is suffering, so are the school systems. Instead of trying to work against each school, try to become involved.
sammy
February 14, 2012 at 4:37 pm
I agree with Lisa, but we should work with schools that welcome us not those that use a dictator system.
Brad Neff
February 19, 2012 at 7:19 am
I don’t understand. I don’t think the parents are trying to force any of the schools to be Islamic in nature. They simply want to help their children to realize more success. When parents get involved with schools, studies have shown that academic achievement can go up in the long run.
Traditional public schools are a huge part of democracy in this nation. Our traditional public schools represent our communities. Our board members are voted in by the whole community. It’s important that all schools, even the new ones, represent all of the community, not just part of the community.
Jessica Madden
November 19, 2015 at 8:10 pm
I am thrilled to see Hamtramck parents taking such an initiative. I am both a teacher and a parent living and teaching in Hamtramck. This is exactly the kind of partnership we need to improve the quality of education and life in
our community. I am greatly pleased to see the organization representing the voices of our multi-ethnic community. What a beautiful thing for the world to see–a community of diversity with a common goal. Thank you to all of you contributing to this group.