Community Event on Child Success Summary
The Community Event on Child Success, co-sponsored by the Greater Waco Community Education Alliance and WISD, was well-attended by 420 parents and children and featured Ruby Payne consultant Dr. Rita Pierson.
Dr. Pierson gave two well-received talks about the impact of engaged parents on the success of their children. The talks featured insight and tips on taking charge of a parent’s household, gaining a support system and championing your school district. “We have to work together,” Pierson said, talking about the connection between parents and teachers. After her talks, Pierson also held an extensive question-and-answer time.
During Dr. Pierson’s presentations, free childcare was provided by EOAC. Volunteers from other organizations also participated. Volunteers from the Methodist Children’s Home did face painting and Waco and McLennan County librarians performed a puppet show. Waco-McLennan County Public Health District volunteers also made yogurt parfaits for the children.
On Monday, June 27, Mayor Jim Bush gave a proclamation, declaring June 27 and 28 as Rita Pierson Days "On Child Success" in Waco, honoring and thanking Dr. Pierson for her work with parents. Both nights, Ken Hampton, vice president of community development for the Waco Chamber of Commerce, drew door prizes and winners excitedly came forward to receive HEB gift cards, free swimming lessons from the YMCA of Central Texas, Baylor University Mayborn Museum passes and many more.
Continuing in the Education Alliance’s research into the community’s educational needs and goals, the alliance surveyed 65 percent of the attendees. “This was great,” said one event participant. Another said, “Many more of community could greatly benefit from this.” Ninety-three percent of those surveyed said they would attend an event of this nature again, and 76 percent listed that they would be “very likely” to use the information presented in Dr. Pierson’s talks.
The Education Alliance and its partners are very excited about the success of this event and the desire of the attendees to gain information on effective parenting! The alliance would like to continue to bring organizations together to serve the educational needs of the community. For this reason, the alliance will provide more opportunities for the community to come together for discovery and insight. The Community Event on Meaningful Involvement is on October 3 and will feature Ako Kambon, president of the Visionary Leaders Institute.