Selma City Schools presented a community preview of their new Parent University Mobile Unit on Wednesday morning.

Parent University is the branding that Selma City Schools has given their parental involvement engagement program.

The mobile unit is a reconfigured school bus that will travel out into the community and teach parenting and life skills to Selma City Schools parents.

The idea for the mobile unit was conceived by Selma City Schools Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and Selma City Schools Parent Engagement Coordinator Cynthia Perkins.

“A lot of times school districts talk about parental involvement as though it falls strictly on the parent’s shoulders,” said Williams. “But what we believe is that our parents need our support and resources as well.”

Perkins also expressed her enthusiasm for the project.

“It’s new, it’s fresh and it’s inviting and open for all parents,” she said.

According to Perkins, the mobile unit will provide Selma City School’s parents with an arsenal of resources to become better involved in their children’s academic careers.

Perkins said that she strongly believes in parents playing an informed role in their child’s lives.

“According to research, and my own personal experience,” said Perkins, “any time a parent is involved in their child’s education you see a tremendous change in academic performance.”

Perkins added that she believes education is crucial to improving the community.

“Education is key to everything,” said Perkins. “Education improves kids’ lives, their community and even the world.”