Midvalley Elementary recently hosted a “We Are Art” stroll, where families explored student art, participated in a hands-on creation station, made music and enjoyed a stop motion film showcase.

Second-grader Ella Marsh attended with her mom, Candice, who values interactive art as part of the school’s curriculum.

“It’s fun to be creative and do whatever I want,” Ella said.

Third-grader Graham Gunther eagerly showed his stop motion film to his dad, Dallin, while his younger brother, kindergartner Dane, depicted pizza in
his artwork.

“I like they have the opportunity to explore art through activities that are supported by instruction,” Dallin said.

Ella, Graham and Dane are among Midvalley’s 540 students. About 300 families attended the spring art night, as well as earlier engagement events: a literacy night in November, a STEAM night in December, and a math night in January, said Crystal Bartlett, Midvalley community
school facilitator.

“The purpose of these community engagement nights is to invite parents, so they feel comfortable coming to the school, meeting other parents and staff and getting to know each other,” Bartlett said. “Once they meet, they have a sense of peace and if they have a question or a concern, they may be more comfortable reaching out and saying, ‘Could you help me with this?’ We want to build community and have parents be engaged in education.”

The Harry Potter-themed literacy night included a Marauder’s Map leading families to stations such as Care of Magical Creatures, where Scales and Tails presented live animals, and meet-and-greets with “Professors” McGonagall and Snape. Families learned literacy strategies while familiarizing themselves with the school.

December’s “Polar Express”-themed “Full STEAM Ahead” night offered winter-themed STEAM activities, hot chocolate and pajama-clad kids.

January’s “Adventure Awaits” math night featured jungle-themed learning, including coding rainforest rescue bots.

“We did all sorts of math activities—movement in math, coloring with math and lots of math games,” Bartlett said. “The great thing about these nights is parents are seeing some of our core curriculum in action, how they can do it at home, how they can engage it. My favorite part is seeing parents on the floor, building and engaging with their children and seeing students be excited and proud to show their families what they’re learning.” λ