Euclid, OH

Cuyahoga Universal PreK—Starting Point

Chamere Davis, Administrator/Owner

dpink@psd1.org, chjohnson@psd1.org

PJs and Pie Day

It is always a good day for pie. Pie and learning? Even better. Wearing PJs to school? Bake the pies? Wow—better still! Mini Miracles Learning Academy for PreK students is always working to strengthen connections with families. Based on a community tradition of making Sweet Potato Pie for Thanksgiving, the school planned PJs and Pie Day with a variation of student-parent pie making for an edible learning activity.

The Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) and other school leaders obtained the needed materials and ingredients, including aprons and chef’s hats, individual pie pans, and pie dough to roll, cut, and place in new and interesting shapes. There were apple, blueberry, and other fruit and pie fillings for children and parents to choose from for their pies. The ATP followed its multi-varied protocol to advertise and invite parents to join their children and teachers for learning activities. Flyers were sent home about 30 days before the activity. Information was posted in the parents’ room at school. Reminders were sent out periodically, including the day before Pie Day to remind parents to join their child for fun and learning.

A read-aloud period helped everyone enjoy the story, All for Pie; Pie for All. The story shows Grandma Cat baking and sharing pies, and “gently” introduced math concepts of division. Little cats had slices of pie. Friendly mice shared pieces left over. And hungry ants divided the crumbs. After story time, parents and students took turns at the baking stations in 1-hour time periods.

Parents and teachers strengthened their relationships, as parents experienced their child’s daily school space. About 65 parents and other family members participated with about 54 students and all teachers and administrators. One parent reflected on PJs and Pie Day writing: “This was very unique. I loved the concept and will do this at home with my younger children, too.”

The ATP and teachers reported that their students were fully engaged in the activities, and strengthened various academic and behavioral skills as they proceeded from story time to baking to eating their pies. The students and parents really enjoyed the fruits of their labor—and the fruits in their pies!

Read more about PJs and Pie Day in Promising Partnership Practices 2023.