DONNA — Graduation music serenaded the auditorium last Saturday as some parents got ready to graduate in front of their families.
Sugey Coluna was in her cap and gown and her daughters were nicely dressed at the Parent Academy for Success of Schools (PASOS) second annual commencement at Donna ISD.
“It felt good to see my mom graduate,” said Sydney Esquivel. “I know I’m going to be successful because of what she has learned, and what she is going to teach me.”
The graduation is a culmination of all the hard work, dedication and parent participation in PASOS training sessions that help parents guide their children through the educational process.
“This is a great program,” said Tomas Tamez, Donna ISD parental involvement administrator. “The parents were very excited, very involved and very interested in what was presented.”
Parents who participate in the PASOS program learn how to create a positive and lasting educational environment at home, build a strong parent-teacher relationship and explore the factors affecting student success.
“We are very proud of these parents,” said Dr. Mary Alice Reyes, executive director of the Texas Valley Communities Foundation. “They took so much time from their busy days and from their families to come and spend time with us every Saturday.”
The Texas Valley Communities Foundation developed the PASOS program. They are a nonprofit organization that promotes education in the Rio Grande Valley and partners with school districts in the Valley.
“We know the parents are going to take this information they learned and it’s going to make a difference for their children and their families,” Reyes said. “We’re very excited about the program and we’re very proud of these parents and their dedication to their children and their family.”
