Free breakfast today for parents at all schools in the Jackson Public School District. The District is celebrating "National African American Parent Involvement Day" or NAAPID.
The program was founded in 1995 by educator Joseph Dulin of Ann Arbor. It is a call to action with the goal of encouraging parents to connect with their child's school and become involved in their education. The late Dulin created NAAPID after attending the Million Man March in 1995. He felt inspired to take action and today NAAPID is celebrated in states across the country. NAAPID is held the second Monday in February which is Black History Month.
This is the second year the Jackson Public School District has celebrated. The district says the event was a success last year, so it expanded it to all schools for 2017. Some African-American parents told WILX they were offended by the name of the event, because they are involved in their child's education, but JPS says this is all about celebrating parents coming into the schools today. Officials say the district prides itself on diversity in its schools.
District spokeswoman Kriss Jiannetti says parents can use the day to volunteer or just sit in the classroom to observe. Parents can decide how long they want to stay. Jiannetti says "we believe everybody needs to be involved". She says parents, grandparents, and guardians are welcome to visit the schools today.
Even though parents have taken to social media and reached out to WILX to voice concerns, Jiannetti says the district hasn't received any complaints. She says all parents are invited. Along with JPS, schools in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area will also be celebrating National African American Parent Involvement Day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOX7_GZSAkw
