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Johnson County Parents Coalition launches backpack drive, to support third-grade retention legislation efforts
Summary
The Johnson County Parents Coalition announced a holiday backpack drive and said it will pursue advocacy related to third-grade retention legislation after consulting with a state representative. The group asked for new-item donations and said it will coordinate with Representative Timothy Hill.
Representatives of the Johnson County Parents Coalition briefed the board on two initiatives at the April 15 meeting: an expanded holiday backpack drive and beginning advocacy around third-grade retention legislation.
A coalition spokesperson said last year, with support from Brown Creek Baptist Church, organizers provided more than 500 backpacks with food, clothing, toys and hygiene products for students over the Christmas break. The coalition announced plans to expand that drive and asked donors to give new items only so "every child receives something clean, reliable, and ready to go."
On education policy, the coalition said it voted to support efforts to change the state’s third-grade retention law because of concern about stress from standardized testing. The coalition reported being in contact with Representative Timothy Hill and said Mr. Hill indicated work could begin after the legislative session. "Missus Stonecipher has been in contact with Representative Timothy Hill," the coalition reported, and said it would continue to coordinate with him as next steps are planned.
The group asked community members to contact Emily Stoneziker to contribute or volunteer for the backpack drive. The coalition thanked parents and residents for ongoing engagement and said it will provide updates as advocacy progresses.
