Each elementary school in the Jones County School System offered its students and guardians a Title 1 Family Engagement night in compliance with federal standards designed to help students meet academic requirements and close achievement gaps.
The schools hosted individualized, fun, and engaging learning nights with food, games, performances, and activities to build capacity and engage families while delivering essential information and resources necessary for students’ success.
The events were unique to each school.
Gray Elementary hosted “Get in the Game of Learning Night,” Sept. 5, facilitated by Gray Elementary Family Engagement Liaison, Kristen Mimbs.
“Families were invited to attend and learn about their child’s curriculum, assessments, and more. Students also shared their progress towards their academic goals by showing their parents their student data notebook. After the learning session, the students played games in the gym, enjoyed a hotdog dinner, and got a free coupon for Kona Ice,” Mimbs said.
Dames Ferry Elementary hosted a Title 1 Curriculum Night Aug. 22, where their students enjoyed hotdog dinners and Kona Ice, like students at Gray Elementary. However, Dames Ferry’s event was entirely outside for the first time this school since the school is undergoing renovations, according to District Family Engagement Coordinator Shelby Henderson.
Dames Ferry’s event had bouncy houses, door prizes, and Touch a Truck, featuring sheriff’s cars, fire department vehicles, and forestry vehicles for students and guardians to enjoy. The school offered grade-level information, access information, and PTO information. Additionally, there were fine arts presentation booths.
Dames Ferry’s Family Engagement Liaison Jennifer Tanner facilitated the event.
“We had a great turnout for our curriculum night. Our county 4-H person had a booth, and our Church partner, Plenitude Baptist, handed out water and school supplies. The teachers had their presentations on QR codes for parents to scan and watch at their convenience,” Tanner said.
Turner Wood’s Elementary had a record turnout for their Title 1 Curriculum Night, Aug. 29, despite rainy weather conditions. Last year, the school had fifteen people attend their curriculum night, including teachers who are parents. Turner Woods increased attendance this year by 800%, according to District Family Engagement Coordinator Shelby Henderson, and fed over 180 families at the event.
Turner Wood’s faith-based community partner provided them with hotdog dinners to provide families with at the event, and The Pilot Club helped serve the event attendees.
Fourth and fifth-grade chorus students and cheerleaders performed to make the event fun and entertaining for students and guardians.
Turner Woods Family Engagement Liaison Amy London coordinated the event.
“We provided childcare in the form of mini sports clinics. We had community resource tables, including the Jones County Public Library, Jones County Literacy, Growing Greyhounds, and free vision screenings from the Jones County Health Department. We also offered a class on Cyber Safety and help with Infinite Campus. We have received excellent feedback on the evening,” London said.
Mattie Wells Elementary School hosted their Title 1 Curriculum Night Aug. 13, with Kona Ice on-site, cheerleader performances, a Back-to-School Fashion show presented by gifted students, and the Jones County High School FFA students brought their show sheep to entertain students and help provide childcare while parents attended the curriculum event.
Mattie Wells has proudly increased the number of families attending their curriculum events, according to Mattie Well’s Family Engagement Liaison Ashley White.
“We had a great turnout for our opening session. We have found that if we can involve the students, families will come out,” White said.
The elementary school Family Engagement Liaisons work closely with the District Family Engagement Coordinators, Shelby Henderson, and Shelley Edwards, to do these events for students and guardians.
The District Family Engagement and JCVA Director Leslie Poythress praised the District Coordinators and Family Engagement Liaisons.
“Shelley and Shelby do a phenomenal job. They are very approachable. They work for the community, provide resources, and continue to build excitement on school campuses with their Family Engagement Liaisons, who are wonderful,” Poythress said. “They are such a great team.”
