Superintendent of Selma City Schools Dr. Angela Mangum is calling on the public to attend a community challenge event: “Our Children. Our Schools. Our Community” on Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m. to learn about the positive improvements that have been realized by the school system and to get involved with the system and students.

“The purpose of this event is to rally community stakeholders to include parents, businessmen, associations, churches, nonprofits, anyone that is interested in supporting children,” Mangum said.

“I truly believe that it takes a community effort, not only to raise a child, but also to ensure a child receives a high-quality education, and all community members have a stake in the wellbeing of children.”

The event will also feature the Selma High School Band and the Selma High School Choir. Mangum said it means a lot to the children to see people in the community rally behind them, so she is hoping this event will inspire people to get involved.

“Children see that community members are genuinely concerned about their education, as well as their overall wellbeing. It lets them know that they’re cared about and that education is important,” she said. “When we have people in the community work together to support children, that can be the difference between success and failure for a child.”

Mangum is hoping that people will come out and learn about the different things that they can do to make a difference in a child’s life.

“I just want to reach out to the community to let them know through collaboration, we can have a huge impact on the wellbeing of children,” Mangum said. “I believe when adults connect with children and inspire them and motivate them to be their best, that it can transform their lives for the better. It only takes that one person to make that difference for a child.”

Mangum said they will also be giving a State of the Selma City Schools Address along with talking about the successes and challenges the school system faces.

Mangum said she hopes people will serve the students and schools by mentoring, tutoring, adopting a school, working on beautification projects or monitoring students during arrival and dismissal times.

“Once you inspire a student to value education, to do their best, to aspire to a profession, that stays with a child,” she said. “[We want to] help them understand that education is indeed very important and that they can be successful and as a community, we believe in you.”

The event will take place at the Selma High School cafeteria Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m