Today is the day after our Family Field Trip to see a college basketball game. On one of the coldest Saturdays that Chicago has experienced this year, many families and several teachers joined me for our very first Family Field Trip. The trip offered the opportunity to spend relaxing time with some of our kids and their parents. It also offered the opportunity for the kids to experience the lights and glam of a college basketball game. Most of us parked at the school and rode the big yellow school bus, an adventure by itself. Others joined us at our designation. This blog is written to say, “thank you” to the families and teachers that attended our Family Field Trip on that blistery Saturday afternoon. It is also written to remind my fellow colleagues to take time to laugh with your “school family.” I found the afternoon with my “school family” to be very enjoyable!
On the bus, I had the opportunity to talk with several parents. They shared tidbits of their life, nothing personal, just enough to make us all laugh and to allow us to become better acquainted. As we ventured towards our designation, a parent passed her alma mater and the community where she was raised. She shared historical information about the community and spoke of her family’s businesses. As we continued our journey, I was asked questions about the schools that I had attended and the degrees that I have obtained. We discovered that we had similar interests and laughed about the silly things that children do. In a later conversation, a parent shared details pertaining to her career choice. She indicated that she was currently pursuing a master’s degree. The most spirited mom of all, tickled our taste buds as she described the delicious meals she had prepared for her family; she proudly displayed pictures on her phone. At the basketball game, we cheered for the home team, that wasn’t winning, and questioned their defensive tactics. We ate snacks, took goofy pictures, and encouraged the kids to mingle with the team mascot. You know, every mom wants the perfect picture. I even did a little chair dancing. The kids thought I was cool. The afternoon was far from a “typical afternoon” at work; it was filled with laughter.
I share this story because as teachers and principals, we seldom have time to build relationships with our parents outside of the school arena. We infrequently take the time to do something that isn’t on a “To Do List.” We rarely laugh with our families. Building relationships with our families are important because our families trust us with their kids. In addition to trusting us with their kids, our families hold us in high regard, and we should reciprocate by holding our families in high regard.
I smile when I think about the great afternoon that we had!
Hooves UP to MY School Family!
