Richland, WA
Richland School District #400
Marta Jisa, Teacher and ATP Chairperson
Spring Fling
For the first time in over two years, Orchard Elementary School invited parents to come in person to celebrate the school and strengthen the school community. The PTO suggested that it was time to do something BIG. The Spring Fling enabled parents, students, teachers, and administrators to meet and talk with each other once again.
Parent volunteers mobilized vendors and volunteers for the Spring Fling. The district’s food service provided free meals for all students. The PTO paid for adult meals and ice cream desserts for everyone. A grocery store donated supplies. A local DJ added lights and music for the Spring Fling Dance Party.
Spring Fling was conducted outside on school grounds. There were picnic areas for eating dinner. The dance area was far enough away from the picnickers to enable families to talk and meet with teachers and other families. Over the past two years, some new parents, students, and teachers entered the school and had never met their children’s teachers or other parents face-to-face.
Activities included space for sidewalk chalk drawings and stations with information about the school and services in the community. Teachers, administrators, staff, and PTO leaders took time to welcome all families and discuss their questions. Over 150 students and 150 parents attended Spring Fling, along with 30 teachers, staff, and community partners. The purpose of gathering was not lost on attendees. One parent noted “I loved seeing our community together.” A teacher summed up the importance of the Spring Fling, “I loved seeing so many of my students’ families that I have not seen in person in [two] years.”
There were no presentations to listen to. The free dinner enabled all parents to attend without concerns about costs. It was just a good time to create a welcoming climate and strengthen the school community.
Read more about The Spring Fling in Promising Partnership Practices 2022.
