About Us
Columbia Parents for Public Schools
Who We Are
What We Do
What We Believe
Examples of CPPS Activities
Why We Formed
Columbia Parents for Public Schools
Who We Are
What We Do
What We Believe
Examples of CPPS Activities
Why We Formed
We are a group of local parents who support the Columbia Public Schools. Our membership is drawn from different neighborhoods, and includes parents of different income levels and different racial and ethnic backgrounds. We are united in our belief that the public schools are, and have been, an important asset for Columbia, and that ongoing community support and involvement is necessary to maintain the quality of our school system. We are an affiliate of Parents for Public Schools, Inc., a national organization of local chapters dedicated to supporting, strengthening and promoting public schools throughout the country.
Board Members 2002-2003
| President
Steve Calloway term ending 05 3900 Sherman Court Columbia, MO 65203 H: 445-8272 H: 445-7324 stevec6393@mchsi.com |
Vice
President
|
Secretary |
Treasurer |
Myron Lewis term ending 04
|
Tracy Holmquest |
| Mary Ann Johnson term ending
04 8761 W. Brennen Drive Columbia, MO 65202 H: 445-3751 mjohnson@columbia.k12.mo.us during school 070453hd@gte.net during summer |
Webmaster |
We provide a place where parents and others can share concerns, information, and ideas, and work together to promote, support, and strengthen the Columbia Public Schools.
| "Of all the civil rights for which the world
has struggled and fought...the right to learn is undoubtedly the most fundamental...The
freedom to learn...has been bought by bitter sacrifice.
And whatever we may think of the curtailment of other civil rights, we should fight to the last ditch to keep open the right to learn, the right to have examined in our schools: not only what we believe, but what we do not believe; not only what our leaders say, but what the leaders of other groups and nations, and the leaders of other centuries have said. We must insist upon this to give our children the fairness of a start which will equip them with such an array of facts and such an attitude toward the truth that they can have a real chance to judge what the world is and what its greater minds have thought it might be." |
Parents have both a right and a responsibility to be constructive participants in the decision-making that affects their children's education.
We must continually work to improve public education for all children, not just our own.
Education of our children is a responsibility shared by all members of the community.
Strong public schools help sustain both economic growth and property values and thus are fundamental to Columbia's economic health and stability.
The Columbia Public Schools have historically
provided an excellent education, a richness in diversity, and a wide range
of educational opportunities.
Hosted a community Forum on Test Scores
Conducted a speaker's training session. This session was designed to assist those who might wish to make informative presentations on school issues.
Worked with other organizations such as Parent Teacher Associations and the Committee for Continued Excellence in Education to help secure public support for the school tax levy that passed in the Spring of 1999 and the bond issue in the Spring 2000. We believe that passage of the tax levy was essential to continue existing programs and maintain current class size. The bond issue will enable the construction of a new elementary school and much needed repairs and upgrades to existing facilities.
Sponsored a Forum on School Safety together with a book fair. Presentations were made on a number of subjects including what parents can do to help, teaching your child conflict resolution skills, and internet usage.
Other things we do include:
The defeat in the spring of 1998 of a school funding initiative indicated the need for a community group that is willing to speak up in support of the schools and that can consistently provide timely and accurate information on school issues. As Columbia grows, parents and other members of the community interested in the public schools need new forums where they can meet, share information and ideas, and work together to address issues of common concern.
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Last Updated March 9, 2004