On Jan. 20, the Parent Action Team held its 2nd Annual Parent Action Day at the Capitol. Over 60 people attended the event. Parents, grandparents, community activists, APS staff and board members all participated in the program geared towards promoting parent advocacy at the State Capitol.
The 2010 Parent Action Day program opened with a pitch perfect rendition of the Star Spangled Banner sung by Josiah Martin. Next, a motivational speech by Atlanta Public Schools Chief of Staff Sharron Pitts left a lasting impression on our parents. She spoke on the importance of parental advocacy in the wake of more budget cuts. Verdaillia Turner, president of the Atlanta Federation of Teachers and the Georgia Federation of Teachers spoke on the ramifications of teacher furloughs and how parent advocacy is necessary to deterring recurrences. Sen. Nan Orrock gave a thought-provoking account of the origin of school vouchers and explained the negative impact that vouchers have on Georgia’s public education system. Education Budget Committee member, Rep. Kathy Ashe, discussed the state of the current education budget. She also mentioned how previous cuts lead to Peach County’s school district shortening its school week to a four-day school week. The Parent Action Team is necessary.