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In Press Release

Parents for Public Schools Welcomes New Project Manager for Mississippi

Share Tweet Share The National Office of Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is proud to announce the hiring of its new Project Manager for Mississippi, Chiquikta Fountain. Fountain returns to the National Office after her term as the Executive Director of Delta Hands for Hope.   Fountain's career spans nearly two decades in community and family engagement, education advocacy, and organizing, with leadership roles in organizations such as AmeriCorps, the Children’s Defense Fund (SPARK), and a six-year tenure at PPS as a Parent Coach prior to leading Delta Hands for Hope.   With her wealth of knowledge, dedication to equity, and commitment...
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admin
In Press Release

Jarred Gibson Takes on New Role as Director of Organizational Advancement

Share Tweet Share Jackson, MS – Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is excited to announce that Jarred Gibson has been appointed as the organization’s Director of Organizational Advancement. This is a newly created position for PPS and a new role for Jarred who previously served as the North Carolina Project Manager for PPS.   With nearly two decades of experience championing educational equity, Gibson brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for public education to this pivotal leadership role.  “PPS National had a need for someone to focus on the resources needed to further develop a network of public...
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admin
In Press Release

PPS Receives $150,000 Grant to Advance Educational Equity and Civic Engagement

Share Tweet Share Jackson, MS – Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is excited to announce it has been awarded a $150,000 grant from Family Values @ Work, a national network of 27 state and local coalitions that work together to ensure family-friendly workplace policies.  Through this grant, PPS will champion language justice and culture change work, ensuring all families—regardless of background or primary language—have access to the resources and support they need to advocate for strong public schools. This funding will also allow PPS to expand its efforts in advancing civic and voter engagement, promoting democracy defense, and supporting Black...
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admin
In Publications

Impact Report 2023 – 24

A message to our supporters In 2023–2024, Parents for Public Schools (PPS) expanded its mission to secure high-quality public education for every child by empowering families across the country. Highlights from this year’s report include the launch of the first Spanish-language Parent Engagement Program (PEP), expansion of advocacy efforts through national conferences and federal initiatives, and impactful local chapter work in Mississippi, North Carolina, Hawaii, Oregon, and beyond. PPS chapters hosted parent trainings, voter engagement campaigns, community town halls, and student celebrations—fostering stronger school-family partnerships. Our leaders were selected to advise U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and participated in...
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In Joann's notes

Eliminating DEI Policies Threatens Every Child in Public Schools

Across America, a silent crisis has unfolded—one that could reshape the future of public education as we know it. Under pressure from executive orders and political mandates, public schools are being told to abandon their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs—or risk losing the federal funding that sustains them.  At first glance, it might seem like just another policy debate. But if you're a parent, a teacher, or simply someone who believes in fairness, this is far more than a headline. It’s a direct attack on the rights of every child—regardless of race, background, ability, or zip code—to receive a...
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admin
In Press Release

Parents for Public Schools Awarded Grant from Phil Hardin Foundation to Strengthen Parent Engagement in Mississippi Public Schools

Share Tweet Share (JACKSON, MS, February 25, 2025) Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $215,120 grant from the Phil Hardin Foundation to support its Parent Engagement in Mississippi Public Schools project. For over 60 years, the Phil Hardin Foundation has been a catalyst for innovation in education, partnering with organizations that enhance learning opportunities and strengthen communities. This investment in PPS underscores the foundation’s commitment to educational opportunity and community improvement in Mississippi.  PPS works to bridge the gap between families and schools through workshops, leadership training, and community partnerships, ensuring...
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In Joann's notes

PPS 2025 Priorities: Funding, Equity, and Community Engagement in Public Education

Parents for Public Schools (PPS) was founded over 30 years ago by a group of parents and community members in Jackson, Mississippi, who were concerned about maintaining quality education in their local public schools. Since then, PPS has grown into a nationwide organization working to advance the role of families and communities in securing a high-quality public education for every child. With chapters and partners from coast to coast, we have the incredible privilege of hearing from people across the country every day. These days, we are hearing a great deal of concern about recent attacks on public education and...
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In Joann's notes

Balancing Screens and Success: Smartphones and Social Media in Education

In recent years, the rise of smartphones and social media has transformed the way children and teenagers communicate, learn, and interact with the world around them. While these innovations have undoubtedly provided some benefits, they also present significant challenges and concerns for parents and educators. Benefits of Smartphones and Social Media Smartphones and social media bring numerous advantages to schools, enhancing students' learning experiences and personal growth. They promote enhanced communication, enabling students to connect with peers and build lasting friendships. These digital technologies also allow young people to collaborate with others, fostering a sense of belonging and support. With...
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admin
In Press Release

Parents for Public Schools Partners with AT&T to Empower Mississippi Families with Laptops and Digital Literacy Training

Share Tweet Share (JACKSON, MS) Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is proud to announce its partnership with AT&T—an effort that will benefit families across the state of Mississippi in bridging the digital divide. As a result of this collaboration, PPS will distribute 125 laptops provided by AT&T and Human IT/Compudopt. Further, AT&T has also awarded PPS a $31,000 grant to support digital literacy training for families. The training sessions, which will be held in Moss Point, Leflore County, and Philadephia, Mississippi, will assist participating families in enhancing their technological skills and gain access to essential digital resources. “Ensuring families have...
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admin
In Joann's notes

Action Required: Public Schools Must Be Safe Places to Learn

Class room with empty desks
According to a 2024 article by CNN, the U.S. has witnessed at least 50 school shootings, with 37 occurring on K-12 school grounds. Sadly, these tragic incidents have claimed the lives of 24 people, injured 60 others, and left countless individuals with scars from the aftermath of these events. Although the initial months of the pandemic saw a significant decline in school gun violence, the years following it have shown significant increase. In fact, 2023 documented over 80 school shootings, and 2022 became one of the deadliest years on record, with nearly 50 casualties. As we enter the final stretch...
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