STORY NO.

265

Build Community by Organizing 5th grade Graduation Dance

Our plan

A group of parents stepped up to plan a celebration of the moving on of the 5th grade students from elementary school into middle school. With the severe restriction of budget cuts in the 08/09 school year, and lots of teachers being let go because of it, resources were scarce for this community building activity. Three parents got together and planned a "Black and White Ball with a twist".

What we did

Three parents (Vicki, Sunny, and Maya) found and rented space, organized volunteers to bring black and white themed food and decorations, hired a dj, designed and distributed flyers, and generally put together the whole affair for the students and teachers to enjoy. The teachers did not have to do a thing. They showed up for an end of the year celebration bringing together students from both 5th grade classes and they had a ball dancing and celebrating with everyone. I personally was involved with designing and distributing the invitations, setting up, finding volunteers, collecting music choices from the kids, chaperoning, picture and video recording, and clean up.

Our results

Three parents organized it and many others brought food and bartended (root beer floats), chaperoned, and helped decorate and clean up. The kids had a ball, both in getting decked out for their first dance of their lives, coming to eat and dance, and getting to spend time with their friends and teachers for possibly the last time because they would be going to different schools. It was an emotional goodbye for the kids and the teachers.

Discuss this story

  • Hello! gaeeaea interesting gaeeaea site!

    Hello! gaeeaea interesting gaeeaea site!

    Jul 23rd 2011 - 07:00PM | Flag this message

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Ruby Alcorn
Oakland, CA