Green Bay, Wis.¬- (Oct. 6, 2008) –  Major research indicates…
• When parents are involved in their children’s education at home, they do better in school.  When parents are involved in school, children go further in school—and the schools they go to are better.
• Positive results of parental involvement include improved student achievement, reduced absenteeism, improved behavior and restored confidence among parents in their children’s schooling.
• Reading achievement is more dependent on learning activities in the home than is math or science.  Reading aloud to children is the most important activity parents can do to increase their child’s chance of reading success. 
• A home environment that encourages learning is more important to student achievement than income, education level, or cultural background.
Based on these research findings and others, Partners in Education promotes parental involvement in their children’s education.  Each year, Partners in Education hosts a parent pep rally to kick off the school year.  This year, the rally has a new format and will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 2498 Oneida St.
In addition to promoting positive parent involvement in children’s education, the pep rally is a fund-raiser for parent networks—cash awards to parent networks with largest percentage of parents registering attendance and individual getaway packages from local tourist attractions to registered individuals.  Parent registrations can be done from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. with the drawing for prizes and announcement of cash awards at 3 p.m.—individuals need not be present to win.  The event is also a fund-raiser for the Partners in Education program. Barnes & Noble will donate a percentage of all sales (bookstore & café) from 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. to Partners in Education.  Funds support Partners in Education programs—career exploration, scholarships, grants, youth apprenticeships, cash awards to parent networks, post-prom & grad-night parties and more.  Plus, educators will receive a discount for purchases made in the store that day. 
For those not able to attend the parent rally day, the media is asked to help spread the word about the value of parental involvement in education to parents at home. For more information and questions about parent involvement, the rally or Partners in Education, call Nancy Schopf, vice president – education & leadership, Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, 437-8704 or 593-3413 or schopf@titletown.org. 
The Education and Leadership department includes programs such as Partners in Education (PIE), Leadership Green Bay and Current Young Professionals. PIE’s most prominent programs include the Golden Apple Awards, Brown County Teen Leadership, Youth Apprenticeship, WisCareers, Career Expo and Educators in The Workplace--programs designed to strengthen the economic future of our community.
Established in 1882, the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is focused on promoting economic and community development. Chamber programs include Advance, Partners in Education, Leadership Green Bay, Brown County Teen Leadership, Current-Young Professionals Network, Good Government Council and the Small Business Council.
For more information about the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and its programs, call 437-8704 or
visit www.titletown.org.

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