Cultivating relationships at Yankee Hill

March 31, 2023

Yankee Hill Education Center sought to cultivate connections in a new way earlier this March.

Recently, it held a family night welcoming students, families and staff for fun after-school activities. 

“I played basketball and a few games and ate food,” Yankee Hill ninth-grade student Alijah said. “This helps us communicate with our families. I like art when I get to do crafts and staff. My favorite piece is the monkey. I made it with popsicle sticks.”

“It’s good to be out and do things other than school. This is awesome. Gave me a chance to chat with his teachers,” his dad John Turnipseed said. 

School organizers wanted to provide a different experience to get students and families in the building to further relationships and trust. So, they replaced traditional parent-teacher conferences with a family night.  

“We want to strengthen relationships between families and school. Having the school and family connection is one of our utmost priorities to serve our students and their families,” Yankee Hill student advocate Brandon Prater said. 

“It is important for our students and families to get to know our staff and build trust with each other.  We rely on the support of our families to serve our students in the best way possible,” Yankee Hill Principal Laura Runge said. 

Educators believe events like these help foster Yankee Hill’s community, which is essential to carry out their mission of helping students succeed. 

“I hope our students and their families enjoy getting to spend time with our staff outside of the classroom,” Runge added.   

“We strive to have every student feel valued, cared for, and appreciated. My primary goal is to create a sense of belonging and provide students hope for their future,” Prater said.

Check out highlights from Yankee Hill Education Center’s family night below. 

 

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