Halpin Meets with Local Parents to Discuss Issues Affecting Community Schools

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, met with parents working as mentors in local schools recently in his district office to discuss issues affecting education in their community and how to further relationships between students, teachers, parents and government.

“It’s inspiring to hear from parents so dedicated to their kids and their communities that they take an active role in neighborhood schools,” Halpin said. “They bring a personal knowledge of their community’s education situation that is invaluable. Every kid in Illinois deserves a phenomenal education, and working for that goal is a priority for me.”

The parents were part of the Parent Mentor Program, a national initiative that trains parents to work in their children’s schools assisting teachers. Among them was Mary Tackett, a local mom and the chief parent mentor coordinator for Lincoln Irving School in Moline. She is a leader in one of her community’s schools and has been helping strengthen bonds between parents, teachers and students.