A news conference will be held at Sligo Middle School on Tuesday, May 16, at 10 a.m. to introduce "Aim High!," an effort that reaches out to parents of African American students, providing information that will help them improve their children's success in elementary, middle and high school.

"Aim High!" is the result of a unique collaboration among the school system, the Parents Council of the NAACP, the African American Festival of Academic Excellence, the National Council of Negro Women, and Montgomery College.

The goal is to help parents raise the bar of student achievement and close the achievement gap by race and ethnicity.

Superintendent Jerry D. Weast, members of the Board of Education, local officials, community leaders, and parents will participate in the event.

The brochure, written specifically for parents of African American students, is the first of a series that also will be published for Hispanic, Asian American, and white families. It will assist parents in supporting their children's development of strong academic skills and confidence as learners, preparation for challenging instruction at all grade levels, and awareness of opportunities for college acceptance, success and financial aid.