The Virgin Islands Department of Education joins the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and USVI–PTSA in their efforts to combat historically low male participation in parent involvement groups. National PTA’s MORETM(Men Organized to Raise Engagement) Alliance and the National Fatherhood Leaders Group have teamed up to launch a Million Hours of Power, an initiative to inspire 350,000 American men to dedicate three hours of service to the education, health and well-being of children.
Education Commissioner Dr. La Verne Terry said, “As the 2010-2011 school year fast approaches I want to reach out to parents in the community, particularly our men, and offer them support and encouragement for all that they have done and continue to do in the lives of their children. In the territory there are 54,110 males. Of that number, 27,263 of them are under the age of 18. However, only 4,244 of those young men live in a household with an adult male influence. I challenge and encourage the 26,847 males over the age of 18, whether they are parents or not, to provide at least three hours of service to a school or community activities that support our children. This will equal 80,541 hours toward the one million hours of true power and toward the betterment of the lives of children, which will result in educational, social and physical benefits to children across this territory.”
The campaign runs throughout the 2010-2011 school year. Working with the National Center for Fathering, the PTA will provide a tracking tool so districts and schools can log hours and watch the campaign’s progress. For more information, go to www.pta.org/millionhours.