Parents and local elected officials are once again working to form a recognized parent group at Parkdale High School to improve communication between families and school administration.

The effort, led by College Park City Councilmember Jacob Hernandez (District 1), restarted on Nov. 5 with a crowded meeting among parents, Parkdale staff and Principal Tasha Graves. Afterward, Hernandez met with leaders of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) to ask for their support in forming a PTA or PTO at the high school, located in Riverdale.

“We’re not seeking radical change or control in how the school operates,” Hernandez said. “We’re offering to overhaul support of the parents in any way that we possibly can.”

Jenni Pompi, a Greenbelt City Councilmember whose son is a junior at Parkdale, said having an official parent group is important because it helps communicate parent interests to school administrators and gives them a way to volunteer and be active in the school.

About two years ago, parents attempted to start a group through the chartering organization Free State PTA, Pompi said. Free State reached out to Graves for recognition, but she refused, Pompi said.

“At that point, everything just sort of disbanded,” Pompi said. “I think everyone was really discouraged and the initiative died down, and then this year [Hernandez] was interested in getting things going again.”

Graves met with about 30 parents over coffee and doughnuts on Nov. 5. Hernandez said the meeting started late and the school did not offer simultaneous translation for Spanish-speaking parents. Graves listed goals she would like to see from a parent group, which were “heavily focused” on fundraising, Hernandez said.

Hernandez said parents were not able to voice their concerns or goals for a parent group, leading to frustration at the meeting. Still, he said, the meeting “was the first conversation … and that’s more progress than has been done in a while.”

Hernandez met with PGCPS leadership on Nov. 10. He expressed the willingness of parents to help out the school and asked the officials to support their efforts. Hernandez emphasized that his work is a continuation of the efforts of parents and community members who have worked to establish a parent group.

“It’s a fight worth having to be able to build out a better future for the students that are here,” Hernandez said.

PGCPS leadership, including Chief of Staff Deann Collins, is reviewing a survey Hernandez created for Parkdale parents to gauge their wants and determine next steps in the process of creating a group. Those leaders confirmed that Graves will hold a follow-up meeting with parents on Dec. 16, Hernandez said.

Graves did not respond to a request for comment from College Park Here & Now.

Nicola Netto-White, a Parkdale parent whose son recently graduated and whose daughter is a freshman, said a parent group would support families and the school and “build a strong community.”

“I’m excited that this is moving in the right direction, and I would just love to see this take off,” Netto-White said.