Webutuck students showcase their best at Family Fun Night

WEBUTUCK — By attending Family Fun Night on Thursday, Oct. 10, Webutuck families got a firsthand view of what their children have been learning, and  connected with teachers who have been molding student academic achievement. Running from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Webutuck Elementary School (WES), families arrived in groups with WES students excited to give their parents a tour of their classrooms and a glimpse into what they are learning this year.

“It’s their way of showing off the school,” said WES Principal Jennifer Hengen, “It’s their way of showing off the things they’ve learned so far. It’s coming from the students and their experiences and not just the teachers reading off the curriculum. It’s almost like a way to get the community, families and the district all together.”

Taking their parents by the hand, WES students guided a tour around the elementary school, stopping by their classrooms to visit with their teachers, introduce their friends to their family members and show their parents where they sit, where they learn and what their favorite part of the school day is. They also gave their parents a look at the projects they completed over the summer.

“It’s wonderful,” said Webutuck mother Katja Shultz. “It is nice to become acclimated to the space that they are enjoying every day. I think that’s the biggest pleasure of being a parent: you hear snippets at home and you get to see it in full color in the classroom.”

Meanwhile, the WES gymnasium was abuzz with Family Fun Night festivities for the students to take part in with their classmates and family members, from Halloween-themed arts and crafts to an educational game that had been created on a Twister mat. For their parents’ entertainment, students sang songs with props in hand and performed a variety of short plays and skits. Led by Webutuck physical education teacher Alan Benson, the students performed log rolls, Hulk jumps and Superman/Supergirl exercises to show their parents some of the activities that had recently been introduced in their physical education classes.

A long line of children stretched out in front of the face-painting tables while the Webutuck Teachers’ Association’s table of free books enticed young readers to crack open a brand new adventure. While their children took part in the activities with their friends, parents were invited to sign up for the Webutuck PTA as well as for the district’s community-based dental program and programs offered by the North East Community Center.