Press Release: Eighth Annual Parent Involvement Matters Awards Set For June 5

State Superintendent Announces 24 Semifinalists

For Immediate Release                                                           Contact: William Reinhard, 410.767.0486

Baltimore, MD (June 2, 2015)

State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lillian M. Lowery today announced the 24 semifinalists for the 2015 Parent Involvement Matters Award.

The Parent Involvement Matters Award (PIMA) Program is the nation’s first statewide initiative of its kind – recognizing parents and legal guardians for their exceptional support of public education. Parents are nominated for demonstrating significant, positive contributions in their education communities. This is PIMA’s eighth year.

The 2015 Parent Involvement Matters Awards celebration is set for 6 p.m., Friday, June 5 at Martin’s West in Baltimore. Five finalists and a statewide winner, selected from the 24 semifinalists detailed below, will be announced during the awards ceremony.

“Parent involvement is the critical factor in ensuring the success of our students, and these parents are leading the way,” said Dr. Lowery.  “The tireless commitment and dedication that parents and guardians across Maryland have for our public schools is an inspiration to all educators. I take pride in honoring their work.”

The PIMA Program recognizes parents from local school systems across the State of Maryland, nominated for their contributions in one or more of the five areas of parental involvement:  Communication; Volunteering; Learning; Decision Making; and Community Collaboration.

Many of the semifinalists from previous years have become parent involvement advocates on the statewide level – serving as members of task forces, presenters at statewide meetings, and participants in education conventions as well as focus groups.

The PIMA Program is supported by: Platinum: Martin’s West; Gold: BGE, Comcast and Rudolph’s Office and Computer Supply; Silver: Maryland PTA, Cullins Trucking, Inc., Harvest Enterprises, Inc., The Mid Atlantic Equity Consortium, Inc., and Target.

The finalists are:

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