Governor First Lady Promotes Unique New Handbook For Parents

CHICAGO -- First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan today unveiled a first-of-its-kind handbook that gives Illinois parents helpful tips and ideas to better understand and participate in their children's education.

"Through Futures for Kids, we have made great strides in assembling Illinois' many children's resources," said Mrs. Ryan. "We hope this guide will give parents the information they need to better communicate with their children for bright futures through improved school success."

The pamphlet, "I Want My Child to Succeed In School!," was created by the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education(PFIE) - Illinois, a unique public-private collaboration with more than 250 members including: Governor and Mrs. George H. Ryan; Futures for Kids; the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative; the Illinois State Board of Education; the City of Chicago; Chicago Public Schools; the Office of Catholic Education; Illinois PTA; Illinois Family Resource Center; Museum of Science and Industry and others.

One million copies of the 16-page, color guide (including 150,000 in Spanish) are being distributed statewide to local schools and school districts.

"More than 40 organizations worked for many months to create the guide," said Illinois Fatherhood Initiative Founder and President David Hirsch. "I want to thank all the participating sponsors for their commitment to this project. Partnerships and initiatives like this one truly make a difference in our children's lives."

"There is nothing more important to a child's success in school than family involvement," said Glenn W. McGee, State Superintendent of Education. "This new resource guide brings together all kinds of valuable information to assist parents in helping their children learn."

"I am very pleased that we are making this valuable tool available to Spanish speaking parents, too," said Jim Palos, executive director of Project Impact, a statewide not-for-profit agency focusing on education for Latinos. "Parents have a helpful and comprehensive tool to reach out and assist their children in school."

To request copies of the guide, contact Prevention First, Inc. 2800 Montvale Drive, Springfield, IL 62704, (800) 252-8951, ext. 128.