Cincinnati's public schools could use more parent involvement, and a local group is trying to make that happen.

        Cincinnati Parents for Public Schools is a chapter of a group formed 12 years ago in Jackson, Miss., to counteract “white flight” in that city's schools.

        Several years ago the chapter had only white members, most with children in magnet schools, said Cindy Carlton-Ford, its coordinator. Now a third of the board members are African-American. More members' children attend non-magnet schools, and the group employs three part-time staff members — one white, two African-American.

        The group of about 19 families launched a program called “Back to School/Ready to Learn.”

        It addresses an important reason many students miss the first week of school: Parents can't afford school supplies until the start of the month, but school begins in late August. This year the program gave out more than 4,600 bags of supplies, and first-day attendance matched late-September levels, Ms. Carlton-Ford said.

        “Our view is districtwide; our response to school policies is districtwide,” she said. “When we say we care about all children, we mean it.”

        When the group hosted a school board candidate forum Oct. 2, about 100 parents attended. Next: a fall meeting Nov. 12, 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at group headquarters, 400 Oak St., Suite S.; and “A Conversation with Superintendent Steve Adamowski” Nov. 15, 7 p.m., at the Mayerson Academy, 2650 Highland Ave., Corryville.

Prosecuting Jorg could get tougher
Police brutality convictions rare
Officer describes striking Owensby
Fuller bases campaign on 'walk of faith'
Anthrax scare at IRS office
Award open for nominees
Council approves plan to ease density of low-income housing
CPS board candidates put focus on reforms
School board candidates
Faculty faction targets Steger
Parents group united, helping
Township needs a focus, some say
Tristate A.M. Report
PULFER: The Oyler case
RADEL: 'King' has 50 years of ribbing
Bill adds authority on group homes
Bond issue is seed money for school
Candy making is magic
City leaders often at odds
Court transcript quality criticized in Butler Co.
Doctors: Baby suffered new traumas
Dueling ads condemn, state support for Lebanon City Council candidates
Eight compete in Kings
Electric chair may be out in Ohio
Rainy-day dip-in passes House
Ky. charity cutting back work force
Patton stresses clean environment
Plummer challenging Koenig in Kenton GOP primary