Texas Border Business
PHARR – Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD hosted a curbside recognition for parents who completed a Growing & Nourishing Healthy Communities Vegetable Gardening Program through the PSJA Family & Community Engagement Program in partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020.
Through the program, participants have access to resources, volunteers, cooking demonstrations, and technical expertise from local Texas A&M AgriLife Extension professionals. Additionally, all participants receive a certification for their participation in a registered Growing and Nourishing Healthy Communities Garden Course.
“We congratulate our parents for their commitment to continue learning and gaining new skills through these opportunities,” said PSJA Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “We know parents play a vital role in the education of our students. These skills empower them to be self-sufficient and learn to produce their own produce at home.”
According to PSJA Family and Community Engagement Program Director Norma Garza, 35 parents completed the course which included 12 virtual class sessions this semester. In addition to receiving certificates during the curbside event, parents were provided with a gardening toolkit to help them continue using their newly gained knowledge and skills at home.
“To parents, I say do not stop learning because of the pandemic,” said Garza. “We have so much to offer in our district. The opportunities are endless at PSJA ISD.”
In addition to this course, through the district’s nationally recognized parent program, each year over 6,000 PSJA ISD parents participate in free classes in any of the eight Parent/Community Education Centers throughout the tri-city area.
To participate in the free parent classes, individuals must be parents of PSJA ISD students and volunteer a minimum of 10 hours at their child’s campus each semester. During the pandemic, volunteer hours are also provided based on attendance at virtual workshops, meetings, and classes.
The PSJA Family and Community Engagement Program continue serving parents during the pandemic closures by offering virtual classes. For more information, visit their Facebook page @PSJAParentalEngagement or www.psjaisd.us/parentclasses.
