Hayes Elementary, Stevenson Elementary and Fridley Middle School invited parents and guardians to have lunch with their students on Feb 10 as a part of National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID). NAAPID was created by Joe Dulin, an educator and principal from Ann Arbor Public Schools, in 1995 as a call to action to get parents more involved in their students’ education. 

Fridley Middle School parent, Alison Andrews commented on how it meant a lot to visit her daughter during the middle of the day and get to see her in her environment.

“For our students it means a lot for them to see their parents come to school and eat lunch with them - it brightens their day,” said Alma Lora, Equity and Inclusion specialist for Stevenson Elementary. “Also parents are welcome to leave a note for their student for the following morning.”

Lora reflected that in general the parents love coming to school and spending their lunch time with their students. She notes that it’s often the highlight of the parents day, as well as for staff to see parents come in and be involved in their students' lives. She said, “this day is a great day to come together as a community and celebrate.”

After being asked what it meant to have his dad at school for NAAPID, fourth grade student, Roman Powell said, “this doesn’t really happen a lot, so it would kinda mean a little special.”