PIP - Parent Involvement Program

What is PIP?

A Volunteer Organization to Promote Math, Science & Technology

PIP is the Parent Involvement Program that brings parents, school administrators & staff, the business community and resources together to encourage parent and student involvement in the disciplines of Math, Science, and Technology.

PIP is run by a volunteer group of parents that currently work with the Braintree Schools and the community to create, fund and execute family programs. Exposure to these concepts in fun and creative environments, help families participate in activities that reinforce what is taught in the classroom. These experiences also empower parents to be more ''confident'' in these subjects to help with homework and encourage opportunities in Math, Science and Technology.

The History of PIP

In 1999, Dr. Bill Kendall, Director of Math and Technology for the Braintree Public Schools, was awarded a 3-year grant from the Department of Eductaion and the National Science Foundation to bring a lead parent to run this group called PIP.

Bev Kenny was the first lead parent of PIP in Braintree. Bev brought us the 4th grade MCAS Preparation and Strategies Program taught by parents and trips to the Science and Children's Museums. Nancy Daly headed PIP in year two, delighting us with her Monthly Family Math Challenges and bringing various math and science entertainers to the schools.

Julie McKinney has continued running the program for three years adding programs like Super Market Math, Family Math Carnival, parent education on Technology in the Classroom and a physics lecture and trip to the MIT Nuclear Research Reactor.

With no formal means of funding for the last 2 years, PIP has been kept alive by creative parents, the schools and the community businesses. We thank everyone for their support and look toward growing this wonderful group.

Today's PIP as a Non-Profit Volunteer Organization

We are proud to report that PIP is now PIP,Inc, a non profit volunteer organization, thanks to the hard work and vision of Julie McKinney.

Incorporating PIP as a nonprofit entity will open bigger opportunities for funding and other resources that are not available to Public School systems.

In these times of budget cuts and depletion of valuable teachers, programs and resources, PIP can now help put back the added value our schools have lost.

We believe education is a community responsibility and rally parents to join us to make an impact for our children!

Thanks to Morrison parent Joan Devereaux, PIP was able to work with a prominent law firm in Boston, Holland and Knight, to execute the legal duties.

We have created a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors: Julie McKinney-Executive Director, Joan Devereaux - President, Joann Ciarmataro - Clerk, and Maureen Walls - Treasurer.

Julie McKinney is a mother of 5 children in Braintree at Morrison and East, with an MBA, and 9 years of volunteer management of SS Habitat for Humanity, and Braintree Citizen of the Year 2002.

Joan Devereaux is a Morrison parent and Executive Director of Operation PEACE, Inc., an after school technology center for children in the Fenway.

Joann Ciarmataro is a Ross parent, para legal and is very active in the Braintree community.

Maureen Walls is an accountant in Rockland who has 12 years of volunteer experience in accounting and finance at SS Habitat for Humanity, and currently works for Piab, Inc., a worldwide supplier using vacuum technology and robotics.

We look forward to working in the Braintree and south shore communities to help families experience math, science and technology in fun and exciting ways!