Thanks, Tinkermonkey-
Sniff... kinda makes me want to go grab a Kleenex. It goes so fast!

~Lisa


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We print the following on the 2" x 4" mailing labels and attach to kleenex packages...


Like rain on the flowers; the tears may flow
All the work that you've done to help them grow!
So reflect for a minute that this is your goal
Making them strong so they can go...

Welcome to South Colby from your PTSO!

Elindke-
Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

fwrarr-
Maybe you could try the "find someone" game-- like they have our kids do at camps etc. On a sheet of paper you would have a list of people to find...
... Find someone who has 4 kids
... Find someone who grew up in this town.
... Find someone whose oldest child is going into Kindergarten.
... Find someone who has all boys.
... Find someone who loves to cook.
... Find someone who plays soccer.
You get the idea.

It would be a nice way to help people find common ground and make connections. Maybe you could do a drawing for everyone who fills in x amount of the questions.

Best of luck,

~Lisa


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2 years ago our school did a Boohoo/Yahoo breakfast only for parents of incoming Kindergarteners & new parents in other grades. There were a few people that showed up. Last year it was opened to all parents, though there was more of a push towards the kinders & other new parents. It was a much more popular event. Existing families mingled with new ones, answering questions, passing ideas back & forth. It was a great way to mesh everyone together.

We didn't do any ice breaker games or such, we've found that a lot of people don't want to be put on the spot. We had a quick informal speech from both the principal & our PTO President. Other then that, we just made sure that board members mingled about talking to people.

This is the first year we will have kindergarten at our school and we want to welcome the new parents with a Boo Hoo Breakfast.

We are catering the breakfast, keeping it easy with a fruit tray, muffins, pastries, etc. Nothing complicated. We will have nametags and tissues set out. I just bought a bunch of the individual packs of tissues but I'd love to do something clever with them. I looked up some poems and couldn't find anything cute and short enough to attach to the tissues (although there are several great long poems).

I also want to have some sort of ice breaker available to get the parents talking if necessary.

Any thoughts or ideas?

Thanks!