Texas Border Business
PHARR – As part of National Public School Volunteer Week, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD recognized more than 100 parent volunteers on April 24 at the Pharr Events Center.
Parent volunteers were invited to this special event to be recognized for their time and dedication to their child’s school. The parents were given awards for the amount of hours and years they have volunteered at PSJA ISD schools.
This 2018-2019 school year, parent volunteers served a total of more than 111,000 hours so far, according to Parental Engagement Director Olivia Benford.
Daniel Ramirez Elementary Parent Volunteer Adrianna Córdova, who has three children in the school district in 2nd, 7th, and 8th grade, volunteers 4-5 hours every day at her children’s schools.
“My daughters made me want to get involved. They get happy when they see you working at their school. You make them feel comfortable and safe,” Córdova said.
In addition to volunteering more than 25 hours a week on average, PSJA ISD parents also take advantage of numerous free classes offered to PSJA ISD parents through the district’s Parental Engagement Program.
Over 6,000 PSJA ISD parents currently participate in free classes located at any of the eight Parent/Community Engagement Centers throughout the PSJA area. At these centers, parents can earn college credit and certifications through partners like South Texas College and the Region One Education Service Center.
Additional free classes provided by the PSJA Parental Engagement Program include Citizenship, Leadership, Welding, Auto Mechanics, Aerobics, Cake Decorating, Jewelry Making, Culinary, Nutrition, Hair Cut, Nursing Assistant,