Two Houston County Schools Designated Family-Friendly

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Miller Elementary School and Morningside Elementary School are two of only three schools in the state designated family-friendly.

The Georgia Department of Education’s Family-Friendly Partnership Award will be given annually to Title I schools that go above and beyond to make families feel welcome. Miller Elementary Principal Gwendolyn Pearson-Kilgore said the school hosts workshops, organizes field days and makes personal phones calls to encourage parent involvement.

“At least one time a month, the parents are invited into the classroom,” Kilgore said, “to be involved in the classroom activities or they can just observe.”

Natarsha Williams has two daughters at Miller Elementary School. After visiting the school several times, she’s developed a personal relationship with the teachers. When one of Williams’ close family members passed, faculty and staff offered condolences and support.

“The teachers would call and ask how we were doing,” Williams said, “we even had teachers to come by the house.”

As a part of the selection process, the Georgia Department of Education conducted interviews, walk-thrus and posed as ‘parents’. Miller and Morningside were selected for their friendly service, in-person, online and by phone.