“From the first high school fair to the new School Information Cards, I’m thrilled about the new opportunities I have to get involved in my children’s education and be a true partner in their success. I frequently see the Superintendent when he’s visiting schools or at different community events—his commitment to engaging parents is real.”

That’s Camden parent Fatimah Shakir, who has children at H.B. Wilson Family School and Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy, at a meeting yesterday at Thomas H. Dudley Family School. There, Camden Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard met with parents, community members, school leaders, and partners to review the progress of the district’s Camden Commitment as he prepares to lead the next phases of the strategic plan.

Here’s some examples of progress cited by Rouhanifard:

–          Thanks to a partnership with the Camden County Police Department, our schools and streets are safer, and police officers are reading to students and leading gang-prevention efforts.
–          Three new schools are being built, and five other schools are being renovated—these advances are critical in a School District where half of the buildings were constructed before 1928.
–          Teachers and principals are receiving coaching on a regular basis throughout the year, more students are in pre-school than ever before, three new schools led by partners with proven track records are now open, and the graduation rate is up 6 percentage points.
–          There are more opportunities for parents to engage than ever before, with a new parent survey, new interpretation equipment, new School Information Cards, new social media channels, three new parent centers, and a parent coordinator in every school.
–          The Central Office has 50 percent fewer positions, which is leading to greater resources for schools