Schools That Make a Difference in Their Communities

*This article is a compilation of excerpts by various teachers, PTA members, and community outreach liaisons

Schools across the DMV are taking a stance to become more involved in the communities where their student reside and are often incorporating physical activity into these events to get teachers, families, students, and local businesses away from the screens and social media; and out into the community to interact with one another in person.

Local schools are striving to take learning and fun outside of the classroom through family nights, buddy/mentor programs with high school and elementary school students, parent classes, food programs, block parties, and other programs such as Teachers Take on the Neighborhood and various Fun Runs. The Teachers Take on the Neighborhood Program involves the teachers walking door to door in their communities in early August prior to the start of the new school year to introduce themselves to the parents and students. A teacher at Centre Ridge Elementary School in Fairfax County explained that this event allows for teachers to create a positive relationship with the families, to have a better understanding of the support the students will have at home, and to encourage the excitement of starting out a new school year. Sara Case of Westridge Elementary School shared information about 5K Fun Run the school has hosted for the past 12 years which encourages families associated with the school, local businesses, and the community that surrounds the school and come together and support the runners/walkers. Their surrounding community also works with the school’s Cub Scout and Girl Scout groups for service projects and encourages the children to give back to the community where they live.

Nicole Parnis, a teacher at Westgate Elementary School was very passionate about the school’s Community Fall Carnival and their Girls on the Run Program. The Girls on the Run program meets weekly with girls in 3rd-6th grade to educate and encourage self-esteem, how to take care and fuel a healthy body, and the importance of a being a good friend. The program utilizes the help of volunteers and incorporates the lesson as well as training for a 5k at the end of the session for the girls, their fellow students, the community and their families to attend. The Girls on the Run program is growing in popularity across the United States. Westgate also offers family night programs to teach parents educational activities and games they can do with their kids at home to enhance learning and fun outside of the classroom. These events also encourage parents to establish a working relationship with their local schools which overall helps the performance of the students.

Kayla Fleming Hernandez of London Towne Elementary School was excited to share information about the school’s Feeding Families Program through Fairfax County. During the Summer the school is open from 11:00 am-2:00 pm to provide the local community with an opportunity for free/low cost meal. The County understands that for some families, Summer is very hard because many people don’t have access or cannot afford meals for their family. This program offers a free meal to everyone under the age of 18, adults over the age of 18 pay $2.00 for a meal which includes a hot entrée or a sandwich, fruit, vegetables and milk or water. There are also food pantry days where families can come during special hours and fill a bag of food to take home.

If a community is looking for a way to get involved and give back to their residents, it is highly encouraged to reach out to the local schools and figure out how they can donate their time and resources. Most Counties have community outreach departments or personnel that can connect communities with food pantry programs, school supply needs, holiday angel trees, buddy/ mentor programs, personal item drives, Fun Run programs and various other volunteer opportunities.