P.A.R.E.N.T.S. Project developed by: PENNY H. SPEAS Location: Greensboro, North Carolina P.A.R.E.N.T.S.: Participating Agents Reaching, Encouraging, Nurturing, and Teaching Students will engage parents in the education of their children through consistent, active involvement in their children’s schools. P.A.R.E.N.T.S. will seek to educate parents on the importance of taking part in the educational lives of their children, assist parents in overcoming barriers that hinder them from visiting and participating in their children’s schools, and help parents to establish positive relationships with school administrators and faculty. P.A.R.E.N.T.S. also seeks to create an open dialogue among parents, children, and teachers to promote a healthy bond between home and school that will foster new energies, which should result in academic excellence for all students. Initially the program will target parents of children in kindergarten.