The Fair Grove Elementary School hosted a Family Fun Night for the elementary students and their respective families on Thursday, October 17th 2024.
Family Fun Night was an event specialized for each grade. Teachers from each grade level, Pre-K through Fourth Grade, came together to come up with a fun activity for their students.
Cara Kennard, Fair Grove Elementary Reading Recovery Teacher, ran the event. “As a teacher, I love to see kids getting such great quality time with their families. It makes me happy when I see families truly enjoying the crafts, snacks and games. It makes all the preparation well worth it,” stated Kennard.
Kim Boatwright, Fair Grove Pre-K Teacher, spoke on what the Pre-K department put together. She said, “The Pre-K team had a campfire sing along. We built a pretend fire and sat around and sang songs.”
The Fair Grove Kindergarten Department revamped their activity from last year and had a station for making bracelets and necklaces. Shelby Lucas, Fair Grove Kindergarten Teacher shared, “Last year we did this and the kids loved getting to be creative and have fun with the fall themed beads and charms!”
At the event, the Fair Grove Fourth Grade Department had a board game station. Fair Grove Fourth Grade Teacher, Kelly Elgin, stated how the department ran a board game station last year and reused it again this year.
Elgin shared her thoughts on the importance of Family Fun Night for the fourth grade students specifically, “This is their last year of elementary school, so they are able to participate in a lot of “lasts” that they won’t necessarily have in middle or high school.”
Fair Grove Second Grade Teacher, Stacy Lair, spoke on the importance of Family Fun Night for the families.
“Family Fun Night is a great way for students to bring their families into the school environment and get to know their friends and teachers outside of the normal classroom experience,” explained Lair.
Scarlett Bowman (3) went to Family Fun Night and recapped her favorite part, “I had fun. The leaf crafts were my favorite!”
Lyla Breashears (3) who also went to Family Fun Night, shared her favorite part of the event, “My favorite thing was getting snacks,” added Breashears.
Kennard spoke on improving Family Fun Night each year and the importance of getting feedback. She explained, “Some families filled out surveys, letting us know what their favorite parts were and what we could do differently next time. There were several that loved the crafts and the spider ring hunt on the playground.”
She added, “They all loved the snack and some said they thought we should serve dinner. We might think about asking a club or organization if they’d like to serve a simple meal for a low price.”
Family Fun Night is an annual event in the Fair Grove Elementary School and will be held again next school year.
