16. For a moment, the cocoon was shredded!

16. For a moment, the cocoon was shredded.

This we believe (NMSA, 2010).

*The school includes community and business partners. Community & Business

Our Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is led by a team of dedicated parents. In our first year of having a PTA as a middle school, parents planned and carried out two events: One for the entire community (see Haunted Hallways) and one just for students. Last night was just for students. It was called “The Spring Fling.”

Our cafeteria was transformed into an island café. Cost: $10.00 and included dinner. Time: 5:00 – 8:00. A king and queen, prince and princess, and duke and duchess were crowned for each grade level. Tablecloths were draped, table decorations as centerpieces, paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, paper flowers on a make-shift picket fence, a waterfall made of fabric, and little white lights gave us the feeling we were in a garden of peace and tranquility. All decorations were donated by members of the community! Teachers were asked to sign up as ticket takers, chaperones, dinner servers, and concession sellers.

I volunteered to work the concession stand.  Sodas, or pop, and candy sold for a dollar. My line, “What can I get for you?” And, “You look amazing!” I almost wept when four of my boys, looking more like models for a magazine, came to the concession to buy Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, and a Dr. Pepper.  (When did they grow taller than me?) Another boy came up and bought sodas for his friends, and I watched as a student asked his date what she would like and then ordered it for her.

Earlier in the day, one of my students told me his mom made him attend. I took his picture with three of my amazing girls. I asked if he was glad he came to the dance? He assured me he was. I said, “Your mom was right!” He smiled. (Sometimes we need to remind our students that their mom’s are right.)

I heard a student joyfully share, “You are wearing a dress!!” They were all beautiful; boys and girls alike, they were beautiful and happy. Formal dress was not required or encouraged, but dressing up was fun to see. I was talking to one of my girls who shared, “My aunt fixed my hair.” (I truly believe her aunt will always be remembered for the time she took to fix her niece’s hair.) For just a minute they were totally grown up. They ate, they danced, they enjoyed one another’s company. (I did tell one boy who was sitting texting, to put his phone away and go socialize.)

And if, for a moment… maybe when they were in sixth grade, or in eighth, we thought they would never grow up, right before our eyes, there they were, grown up. It was as if the cocoon of childhood was lifted… just for a moment.

At the end of the evening, 300 children, like a wave of butterflies, passed through the halls, chatting, twirling, floating, to where car riders are picked up, to wait for mom, dad, aunt, neighbor, grandma, or grandpa to Take them home. It took over an hour to dismiss the children. Our administrators, staff, and coaches moved parents along a line that wove from the street, to the bus loading zone, around the office, and to where their tired, but happy children stood. Fortunately, it was a mild evening and the atmosphere remained peaceful. In the cafeteria/café, parents and their children and friends helped the custodians sweep, take down decorations, and return the room to rows of tables for Monday.

I must say, that watching the last child step gingerly into her family’s “chariot,” when all children were safely returned to their families, we returned to the cafeteria with warm hearts of love and appreciation for our PTA. It would not have happened without their courage and spirit! That our PTA took the time to put this event together speaks to their commitment to helping us grow tomorrow’s leaders. Our administration, faculty and staff members contributed time, food, and manpower, to this event, illustrating the value and importance of working together to meet the needs of our children.

Advice

1)   The PTA is designed to support the social and emotional needs of young adolescents. The more we support our parent organizations and advocate for them, the better.

2)   When you are asked to help, help! There are many ways to support the efforts of your PTA.

3)   Let the PTA team know they are appreciated!

4)   Events outside of school give us much insight into our students’ lives. Sporting events, band events, music events, Science Olympiad, etc.  give credence to “being there.” The more we know about our students, the more they know we support them. And the stronger the relationship, the better the academic experience!

5)   Hooray for parents and community!!!