We want as many folks as possible to participate in the madness. It's our zany way of emphasizing just how crazy we are about being involved in our children's lives - academic and otherwise.

Sure, it's a tough job and certainly not for wimps. But, we signed up to be parents and to celebrate we're hitting the streets. This all came about a few months ago, during a Rockdale Schools' Parent Advisory Council meeting when council members got to thinking (yes, I know this can be dangerous) about ways to encourage greater parental participation within and outside our schools.

Someone suggested a symbolic act involving lining the streets of Rockdale County in support of parents taking a more proactive stance in the lives of their kids. So, voila, the first ever Rockdale Public Schools' Parent Rally and Roadside Campaign was born. The objective and message for Saturday are simple: prepare signs that read Parents are Powerful ... Get Involved ... Rockdale County Public Schools And then wave them madly as people walk or drive by.

This is the easy part. What happens post-Saturday is what's most important. Sure, we're all busy and overscheduled with enough engagements and activities to fill three calendars. Yet, it's imperative that we take time to connect with our children in a meaningful way every single day. This could mean scheduling a single volunteer hour at your child's school. Perhaps you could drop in for lunch or to visit your school's Parent Resource Center (most schools have them). For other ideas much more creative than those listed here, visit bethere.org.

Study after study after study show that the more involved a parent, the higher achievement for their child. This means we can't afford to sit on the sidelines. Join us in the symbolic and fun spirited rally and demonstration on Saturday, Feb. 27 starting in the parking lot of Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Parker Road at 10 a.m.

There, we'll hear from inspirational speakers, before dispersing to other locations to spread the message that parents, indeed, are powerful.

No need for preregistration, just show up ... and bring a parent or two along with you..

Kysa Daniels is a journalist, non-profit professional and mother of three boys. For more Adventures in Parenting and parenting tips, e-mail kysa@kysadaniels.com