At middle school age, kids want to "hang out" with each other. We have had good success with our restaurant family nights where the restaurant gives us 25% of our families dinner bills for a set time period, like 4-8pm. We do a raffle of prizes, the teachers bus tables or serve appetizers and everyone has fun. Kids table hop from one table to another socializing with friends. Our best turnout was at a restaurant at the mall, of course. Another idea is a amusement park, one that has batting cages, bumper boats, go carts, mini golf, etc. It's set up that PTO agrees to purchase 100 wristbands at x price and we can sell them to kids at regular retail. It's ususally set for a Friday night, from 7-11pm. Again, another opportunity for kids to socialize. Parents are assigned to the parking lot and through out the park to keep behavior on the up and up. We also have 4 dances a year that attract 350-400 students from our student body of 650. An hour before our dances end, we have a Parent "Coffee Break" area set up for parents to come early & wait for their kids to come out of the dance. This gives the parents a chance to meet each other and socialize.
Hi Patti D:
Our Middle School PTO focuses on the students with dances - not the families. I'm more involved at the elementary level than Middle but I do have some thoughts for you:
For the most part, it boils down to where you would hold an event that could house that many kids with their parents and siblings - inside or outside. Next, you'd need to consider the age range that you'd be entertaining. Your experience with the younger kids will pay off!
Thoughts to consider:
Off-school grounds:
Family night at area skating rink/roller rink, family night at area movie theater
On-site, if large enough or use high school:
dance, bingo, fair or carnival (outdoors?), sports events of retired major players versus teachers/staff, talent show or karaoke night...
Just some thoughts. I hope that I was able to get YOUR creativity going!
We are just starting our PTO for grades 6-8. I am the vice president and also in charge of family nights. I have chaired several family nights at K-5 school but now am on to older children. I was wondering if anyone had any great ideas for 6-8 grade family nights. We have approximately 1,200 children grades 6-8 at our school this year so it has to be something that could work with that many children and families. I would appreciate any ideas...
Thanks!
Patti
