Enthusiastic parents showed up to school bright and earlySaturday morning, not for more education, but to help theirchildren gain the most they can from the Brookhaven SchoolDistrict.

Members of Parents for Public Schools (PPS) brought out theirpaint brushes and hammers at Mamie Martin Elementary and BrookhavenElementary to fulfill some of the schools’ needs.

“The function of this chapter is to not only promote the schoolsbut to promote parental and community involvement as well,” PPSpresident Marty Stephens said.

Stephens said the schools have many needs, both financial andphysical, that parents can fulfill by volunteering their time inPPS.

“We solicit input from the various principals about how we canhelp make a better school system,” he commented. “We try to be thevehicle that does just that.”

On Saturday, parents painted, hung coat racks and worked on theschools’ landscaping among other projects.

“If we can get the parents physically involved, we canaccomplish a lot,” he said.

PPS also tries to encourage parents to get involved in theirchildren’s school work, which can be vital in their academicsuccess, Stephens said.

“Nobody can argue the fact that the child’s education experienceis more enhanced if the parent is involved,” he added.

Parents should talk daily with students about their schoolactivities and assist children when help is needed on homework.

PPS has about 40 members, but hopes more parents will show aninterest in public education by joining PPS this year for only$20.

“I would like to see the pool of parents and parental supportexceed the need,” Stephens said.

The membership fee along with many other fund-raisers help PPSbuy supplies and needed items for the schools.

“One of the schools expressed the need for an announcement boardand we furnished that,” Stephens said, also mentioning the purchaseof a desk in memory of a student.

The organization meets periodically to discuss new ideas andplan work days and other special events.

PPS is a national organization that began in Jackson in 1992with the help of Dick Molpus, who was the secretary of state foreight years. Parents for Public Schools has around 30 chaptersspreading throughout the south now.

Anyone interested in joining PPS can contact Marty Stephens at833-0403 or Avon Caston, membership director, at 833-8834.