December 4, 2024 - On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the ÐÓ°É Public Schools Joy Parent Cruise welcomed over 500 attendees to the Mississippi e-Center at ÐÓ°É State University.
The event offered an engaging mix of food, entertainment, and opportunities to explore over 14 Cruise Talks (interactive booths) designed to equip parents with practical strategies and resources to support their children at home. Additionally, 30 Galley Tours (vendor booths) showcased tools and information to further empower families.
The event's highlights included four unique "excursions," each offering an enriching experience:
- Frequent Cruiser Rewards – Hosted by Jeanette Whisenton and Althea Johnson, Project RISE
- Voyage to the Philippines – Presented by Filipino International Teachers
- Cruising through the PowerSchool Parent Portal – Led by Dr. Faith Strong and Enrollment Services
- Awaken Your Senses: Yes, There's More than 5! – Facilitated by Lou Cavett and Exceptional Education
These excursions provided parents with valuable takeaways:
- Access to books promoting literacy at home.
- Insight into life and education in the Philippines.
- Training on using the PowerSchool Parent Portal to monitor grades, attendance, and more.
- Strategies to support diverse learning styles and student needs.
Many parents left with bookbags, instructional materials, informational resources, treats, and even scholarships! Mississippi College and Career Savings awarded $500 scholarships to four outstanding students:
- Isaiah Battle – 4th Grade, Spann
- Kylie Jones – 2nd Grade, McWillie
- Eleesha Norman – 8th Grade, Cardozo
- Bryan Douglass – 3rd Grade, Clausell
These scholarships can be used for a variety of educational needs, including college tuition, laptops, and books.
This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors, including Domino's Pizza (Robinson Road), Sal and Mookie's Pizza, Prestige Realty, and SWBC Mortgage Corporation.
Together, the JPS Joy Parent Cruise serves as a dynamic platform to connect families with resources, strategies, and inspiration to champion their children’s education and future success.
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