There’s a neat story on page 17 of the October issue of PTO Today magazine. Mary Phelan-Jackson, a principal in Hayneville, Alabama, had herself arrested to get parents involved at her school. The only way to secure her release was for at least 200 parents to attend the school open house that week!
It’s a neat idea that received a lot of media attention so we asked Mary to share a few more details. Apparently the idea came from a similar campaign the United Way runs where they lock up public officials until they’ve raised enough money to make their ‘bail’ payment. Mary believes “parent involvement is the key to the academic success of all children” so decided to adapt the focus from ‘fundraising’ to ‘involvement’.
Flyers were sent home with the kids announcing that the school principal was being arrested due to lack of parental support and 200 parents were required to attend the PTA open house to secure her release. The warrant was served and Mary was taken off in a squad car amidst a rally of students pleading for parents to attend the open house.
After coverage in the local media the school office was flooded with phone calls! Some parents wanted clarification and others committed to attending. By 6:30pm that night 214 parents were in attendance and Mary was released from jail.
Sounds like a very successful start to the school year!
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