Governor O’Malley has designating October as Maryland Parent Involvement Month. This is the first time a month has been dedicated to this very critical element to student success in Maryland. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), the Maryland Parent Teacher Association (MD PTA), and Maryland Parental Information and Resource Center (MD PIRC) have partnered together to raise awareness about the various types of parent involvement at schools across Maryland in preparation for National Parent Involvement Day on November 19, 2009.

MSDE has also partnered with Comcast Cable on the Comcast Parent Involvement Matters Awards (PIMA) Program. This award program is the first of its kind in the nation to shine a spotlight on parents and those with legal responsibility for a child who have had a positive impact on public schools and to encouraging all parents to get involved in whatever way they can. The slogan is Choose Your Seat, Get Involved. Below are examples of how Maryland parents have gotten involved in education:

• 2009 PIMA Parent Nominees
  In 2009, over 100 parents were nominated for the Comcast Parent Involvement Matters Award. This link provides brief descriptions of the incredible things those parents did. Maybe you will find something that will make you say – “I can do that at my school!”
  
  
• 2009 PIMA Semifinalists
  Twenty-four parents from across Maryland were selected as award semifinalists. This link provides short bios for each semifinalist’s amazing accomplishments.

For more ideas about how you can get involved in education, go to: