The Pike County Schools 8th Annual Parent Expo hosted an estimated 900 parents Thursday night at the Cattleman Arena.

“We try to educate our parents on the great things we are doing,” said Pamela Franklin, instructional support specialist for Pike County Schools. “We have the parents come out, share their thoughts with the schools, talk to the teachers and ask them questions.”

Franklin said the expo allows the educators to communicate more with the parents and allow them to participate in what their children experience every day.

“Long gone are the days of just paper, pencil and a textbook,” Franklin said. “I think it helps keep our parents up to date with what is going on.”

Donnella Carter, administrative assistant to the superintendent, said the Pike County Schools encourages parent involvement.

“We think it’s important for parents to be active participants in our schools,” Carter said. “The way for them to become active is for them to know what is going on in our buildings. This expo is an opportunity to expose them to different programs, events and happenings in the schools so they can be more active.”

Carter was involved with the expo’s beginnings eight years ago.

“We knew it was a need,” Carter said. “It started with us trying to give out resources and materials to help parents with content, and it grew from that.”

While the expo continues to provide that content through the showcases, the event also provides an opportunity for parents to receive school supplies for their children at no cost. Parents who visit at least three showcases are rewarded with a bag of supplies that is specific to the child’s grade level.

“There are a lot of supplies just to help them throughout the school year,” Franklin said.

Parents were buzzing with excitement as they visited the showcases and the vendors.

“I think it’s a great thing because if you don’t go, you don’t know what the schools have to offer,” said Yulonda Caffie, a parent of a Pike County Elementary third-grader and a Pike County High School eighth-grader. “I think it’s good for the community to come and speak with some of the teachers and getting insight on what each school has to offer.”

Caffie also has two children who are PCHS alumni, so she has attended the expo each year since the first year eight years ago. She said that more expos have been added throughout the years.

“It’s important for me to know that even though we are all across the county, all the schools have something to offer the students,” Caffie said.

Caffie said that the school supplies are one of the main benefits for attending the expo.

“That’s one of the main things that I think is good for the community because some people may not be able to afford those supplies,” Caffie said.

“But at the same time, it’s not just for those who cant afford them. It’s for everyone.”

The Pike County School Parent Expo is anticipated each year by both the staff and the parents, and it grows each year.

“I think parents are more aware of what is going on in our schools,” Carter said. “I think they are more likely to come because teachers and administrators are here. In turn, I think they are in better communication with the schools.”