Summit held allows parents to be involved in children's education
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Hundreds of Memphis parents filled an auditorium today at KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School for the first day of a two-day Parent Summit.
The event is organized by Memphis Lift, which attempts to see parents more involved in their children's education.
'We are working all over this county to bring a message that our children are in crisis. We are losing children in America every single day,' said Geoffrey Canada, Founder of Harlem Children's Zone. 'These kids are out on these corners when they should be in these schools, where they should be getting an education and a set of skills that will prepare them for the future.'
'Litigation over leadership': What led to Feagins being fired by MSCS school board?
'What got me here the first time I met with Sarah, it was during Covid and we were all on Zoom, and she told me she had a parent meeting and wanting me to talk, so I expected 20 parents, 30 parents, and there were hundreds it's the biggest Zoom call I've ever done.'
Since Dr. Marie Feagins was ousted as the Shelby County Schools Superintendent in January, there has been controversy surrounding local schools.
Feagin's firing led to an almost state takeover of Memphis Shelby County Schools. Memphis Lift's Executive Director Sarah Carpenter says she didn't agree with how the school board handled things.
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'I don't think it was done right. I don't think it was done right. I said it then, and I'm saying it now. I don't think it was done right,' said Sarah Carpenter, Lift Memphis Executive Director.
Carpenter and Canada agreed that there may be problems from literacy to violence with the Memphis Shelby County Schools. They called on parents to step in and demand the best for their kids' education.
'Here's my message to parents here in Memphis, don't give up, don't settle for less than you know your children deserve,' said Canada.
Tuesday's speaking lineup will feature Michael Bloomberg's daughter Emma and former Shelby County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Feagins, as Memphis Lift hopes to raise more awareness from parents concerning Memphis Shelby County Schools.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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