Schools
GALLERY: Richfield High's 1st African American Parent Involvement Day; Singing, Dancing & More
The need for parents to participate in their kids' education is front and center at Monday's NAAPID celebration.
Students, parents, teachers and school support staff gathered for the first annual (NAAPID) at on Monday, as part of the school's celebration of Black History Month.
Administrators said the day aimed to get parents of African and African-American students more involved in their children's education, with the ultimate hope of closing the achievement gap which exists between many minority student groups and others.
"By being here today, you've taken a step to help us close that achievement gap," Dr. Stephen West, RHS principal, told parents.
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Administrators began planning the event in December 2010 and said they were pleased with turnout for the event and look forward to NAAPID becoming an annual celebration at the high school.
The event, which was largely organized by Jennifer Jacobs, an RHS staff member in charge of African-American outreach, began with a welcome breakfast for parents held in the cafeteria. From there, parents were invited to join their children in class as observers.
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The celebration's capstone took place in the Richfield auditorium, where in addition to speeches by several of their classmates, students at the high school were treated to a traditional Madi tribal dance, theatrical monologues pertaining to black history, renditions of the national anthem and the black national anthem, and a step show performed by the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
Enjoy Richfield Patch's photos of the event!