Observance emphasizes the role of parents

9/16/2002

Parents Week is returning to Toledo.

Beginning Sunday, a series of recognition ceremonies, school events, panel discussions, and an essay contest will help the community realize the value of parents and publicize resources to support them, said retired Juvenile Court Judge Andy Devine.

“It's like our men and women in uniform. We all know that they're important, but it takes a crisis like 9/11 to bring it home to us. Same thing with parents,” Judge Devine said. “Nothing is really going to change or happen without the support of parents. They're more than important, they're critical to the process.”

Toledo Board of Education President Peter Silverman said the schools - like many public institutions - benefit from better relationships with parents.

“We realize that reaching out to parents is our most important task. If we get to the point where we can connect with everything, we'll make a big difference,” he said.

Each day of the week will focus on a different institution, beginning with Sunday when the faith community will be highlighted.

During the week, the symbolic purple ribbons will be back - 60,000 of them - imprinted with “You gotta to love parents.”

“We had 40,000 of them last year and we ran out,” Judge Devine said. “We're just trying to get the word ‘parent' back on the front burner. Not schools, not children's services. Parents.”

Ohio First Lady Hope Taft has been involved with statewide parent events. The governor's office is planning statewide events for the week.

Toledo's events include:

  • Saturday - noon to 1:30 p.m. at University of Toledo's Nitschke Hall, Mayor Jack Ford's Parent Forum;

  • Sunday - 1 p.m., University of Toledo Student Recreation Center, kick-off activity speech by UT President Daniel Johnson, “The Value of Good Parenting to the Community.”

    Sunday also is Faith Community Day. Churches and synagogues will have special prayers.

  • Monday - Government Community Day, 10:30 a.m., University of Toledo law school auditorium, a panel discussion about legislation affecting parents. At 6 p.m., Kent branch library, panel discussion about social services.

  • Sept. 24 - School Community Day, announcement of winners in the essay contest “Why I'd like to be Just Like my Mom and Dad.”

  • Sept. 25 - Workplace Community Day, distribution of the purple ribbons.

  • Sept. 27 - Recreation Community Day, the YMCA of Greater Toledo will host special events, and the Hurray for Homeschoolers event will be at 1 p.m. at Sidecut Riverview Shelter.