Sultry Grammy-winning songstress Monica and moderator Roland Martin of TV One’s “News One Now” powered an august body of panelists in the ultra-successful Box Tops for Education Town Hall Press Meeting and Press Conference in Atlanta to further promote innovative ways to improve the educational ambiance for 21st century students.
Facilitated by General Mills, the power-packed panel discussion included popular former CNN anchor and television personality T.J. Holmes, Clark Atlanta University President Dr. Carlton E. Brown, Ronald Skeete of Georgia Children’s Aid Society, 2014 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Jemelleh Coes, in a passionate conversation about ways to encourage parents to get further involved in their child’s education.
Box Tops for Education is a program started by General Mills in 1996 which helps communities provide kids the tools needed for success by generating cash schools can use. Schools have earned more than $600 million through the program by creating an easy way for community members to support schools without having to spend extra money. Schools can earn up to $20,000 a year from the program.
In addition, Atlanta City Council President Caesar Mitchell and Diamond Lewis, director of DeKalb County Television, declared April 3, 2014 “Box Tops for Education Day” in a proclamation presentation during the Box Tops for Education Town Hall Press Conference. Council President Mitchell and Lewis presented the proclamation to Jensen and commended General Mills for providing a program that helps communities earn unrestricted funds to purchase school supplies, playground equipment, teacher training, computers, and other items to provide children the necessary tools needed for success.
Monica, an Atlanta native and concerned parent, was candid about her experiences with providing the best education for her sons Rocko (age 8) and Romelo (age 6).
“You have to know your child and really be involved. I know my son. He does what he’s told,” she said as she shared a personal story about her son Rocko being wrongfully disciplined in school. “I was able to handle it in a positive way. I spoke with the principal, the other teachers and the students and we were able to resolve it because I’m active.”
Coes also revealed how some children feel inadequate in the classroom. “You can tell they feel left behind and their parents feel like they don’t have the knowledge to engage them in school activities.”
Throughout the event, Box Tops bloggers of Black and Married with Kids posed questions to the panel from their twitter feed. Erica Jensen explained how the Box Tops program was designed to help combat some of the budget challenges our nation’s schools are facing, and gave insight on how the program is positively impacting children’s education.
For more information about Box Tops for Education and the Town Hall event, please visit: www.btfe.com.
