Giving parents resources and tools to better equip them to assist in educating their children is the goal of the third annual Parent Expo hosted by the Pike County School System.

The expo takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Pike County Cattleman’s Complex and is offered free of charge to all parents and students in the Pike County schools.

“It’s huge for us,” said Donella Carter, administrative assistant for federal programs and K-12 curriculum. Carter coordinates the expo and has watched it grow since its inception.

“The community response as well as the parental response has just been great,” she said.

Carter describes the expo as an ideal opportunity for parents to visit with teachers and educators, as well community partners, to ask questions; gather resources – from pamphlets to manipulatives to study guides – for both parent and student use; and learn more about school curriculums.

“Each school in the system will have displays and demonstrations from each grade level and department,” Carter said. “Parents will receive school materials and supplies.”

Carter said she believes the value of the information offered at the expo, as well as parents’ increasing desire to be more involved in their students’ education, is part of the reason the function continues to grow.

“Last year we had over 300 parents sign in and I think we had over 500 total participants, that’s parents and students, at the meal,” Carter said.

The school system does provide bus transportation for parents and students. Buses are available beginning at 4:45 p.m., and pickup will be available at Goshen High School, Sun Trace Mobile Home Park, Pike County High School and Banks Middle School.