FAMILY TIME … The Photo Op station was a popular place at the October 14, 2022 Stryker Family Fun Night. Seen here are Zach, Mila, Evelyn and Alina Erb. (PHOTOS PROVIDED)
By: Rebecca Miller
At Stryker Elementary School something called “Family Fun Nights” have been held for the past twelve years.
The two events each year are held in the fall and in the spring and include a free meal for all elementary students and their families.
Stryker Dean of Students Beth Morr said that it has always been a fun time but has taken off in a new way since the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Last spring as they prepared for the evening, they were prepared for around 150 people to show up. “Three hundred and fifty came!” Morr said.
“We ran out of food that time so for this one, on October 14th, we prepared for 400. We had 389 participants so we were ready for them. It was a great night.”
Morr explained that each Family Fun Night has a theme, and for the October 14, 2022 event, the theme was Bees: “Bee a Reader, Bee a Leader” from their Right to Read Week.
The children had dress up days all week, wrapping up the week on Friday with the meal and eight other delightful activity stations, from 4:30-6:30 at the elementary school followed by free entry to the Friday night football game for the whole family. What a night!
BZZZZ … Elementary Secretary Elaine Aguilar and Dean of Students Beth Morr had some fun in the Photo Op station at the October 14, 2022 Family Fun Night.
The stations were set up in classrooms and included the Scholastic Book Fair, a Family Photo Op, BEE Creative, Carnival Games, BEE Erasers, Leaf Art, Scavenger Hunt, Beehive Magnet, and Bee Mad Libs. The kids loved it and their adults were definitely enjoying the family time together.
Children are not allowed to come alone, but are welcome to join with a friend’s family if their family can’t come.
Next spring the theme will be something to do with technology Morr said… the world of tech. “We are already starting to work out the details,” she stated, adding that all the teachers participate along with tutors, aids, staff, and high school volunteers in order to have enough people to cover it all.
“The Stryker staff dedicates so much of their time and loves putting on this night for their students and families,” she said.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com