We recently had a family night at our elementary school. We had 4 different stations, families were separted into 4 groups and spent 1/2 an hour at each station. The stations that we had were a craft station (we made christmas ornaments), a game station (we used $200 to purchase board games that were age appropriate), a music/fun station (we've been working with a musician who is from our town on learning through music and he offered to come help us with our family night. Parents & children could get up and dance and sing and really have fun) the fourth station was a snack and movie (we had christmas cookies that they could decorate, juice, and showed A Charlie Brown Christmas). This was all at no charge to any familly who wanted to participate. At the end of the night we drew names and used all of the board games as door prizes as well as about $200 worth of books that we'd purchased for this night! It turned out GREAT!!! I felt like it was a great way to foster more family involvement.
Each month, we have a different theme. For this year, we had Welcome Back to School Night that showcased Germs with a Nurse and ice cream. We also had Police Night, Fire Safety Night, Self-Defense for Kids, and will be having Game Night coupled with a Chili Cook-Off. Coming up, we have Yoga for Kids, Movie Night, and an End of the School Year celebration. We have very good luck in getting businesses in the area to sponsor the food, snacks, and drinks. Our school is very small, roughly 100 kids, and we generally have a good turnout.
Our school K-5th grade total about 350. Our school has 2 family nights (fall and spring) which our Title 1 program puts on. Both include food, crafts and an speaker (story teller or etc.). Our fall family night is also done with a bookfair the library puts on and PTC adds in a Pumpkin decorating contest. We also in conjugation with Title 1 put on a "Donuts with Dad" in December and a "Muffins with Mom" in February which also include a little speaker or activity after the food (kids and parents love this time together). We did Port-a-Pit chicken Fundraiser this year, in conjugation with a football game(great success) - plan on another this year in March/April maybe in conjugation with another movie night afterwards. Talking about Movie Night we did our first one this year, wonderful turn out we did a raffle with it of donated items from business, also offered popcorn, water and candy at a fee. We sent home a list of items needed by teachers and that was the donation for Movie Night, the teachers appreciated the donations. January will be our 2nd "Get Movin' Night." Perfect timing for this Message board we will be working on our Events/Fundraiser for next school next month. Looking for more we added, we need more FAMILY EVENTS, loving all the suggestions I am finding here, thank you everyone!!!!
We have movie matinees, and in February we are offering a Breakfast with Dad program. Where Dad's bring kids in for breakfast at school. This is coordinated with the Schools Food Service Dept, they will plan for more people to order breakfast on this day.
The Dad's pay for the schools normal breakfast fee ($1 per person or less). They get to experience the Food Service Dept that feeds their kids daily.! The kids get to have quality time and then Dads can walk kids to their classrooms, all before school starts, and no costs to PTO! I am sure it will be a great success for all of us.
Please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I will give you my contacts with NASA and more details. I have been at 2 elementary schools and have done there FFN's the schools had around 800 students at each. I have all of my notes electronically for water day. I also have alot of my other info electronically. For around 500. and a good deal of donations you can make any night a great FFN. It is all in the planning as you all know.
Thanks for the responses I will be awaiting emails for further communications,
Dear Paula Hurley:
Please send me more info. on "Space Night,'' as our school focuses on this very topic. Our school name is "The Norton Space and Aeronautics Academy'' in Southern California. Please share ideas! I've been trying to court a real live astronaut to come speak at our students, grade K through 3rd - to no avail. Still trying though.
Thanks in advance, Lisa Van Proyen, NSAA PTO chair for Family Activities Committee
