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Bronson Elementary credits events, volunteers with jump in parent engagement to 29%
Summary
Bronson Elementary staff detailed a range of family engagement activities — from "Donuts with Grown Ups" to STEAM and literacy nights — and reported growth in approved volunteers to 73, representing about 29% of the school population.
Mrs. Wiggins, Bronson Elementary School presenter, told the Levy County School Board that Bronson has expanded parent and family engagement events this year and seen higher turnout and volunteer rates.
"When Kaylee and I took over at Ronson, parent family engagement was, not, up to snuff. We didn't have a whole lot of engagement... so we set out to change that," Mrs. Wiggins said during the board meeting. She listed recurring events designed to build relationships between families and school staff.
The presentation described several regular activities: Donuts with Grown Ups (a morning event with grade-level time slots and RSVP lists), family literacy events typically held in December, smaller family learning nights aligned with School Advisory Council (SAC) meetings, a STEAM night in spring, Meet the Teacher before school starts, and monthly instructional videos posted on the school's Facebook page.
School presenters said Donuts with Grown Ups produced about 450 RSVPs and roughly 450 attendees the most recent time, with about 59 people who had not RSVP'd also attending. "It's a lot. It is huge," Mrs. Wiggins said, describing how classrooms turn over to teachers for presentations or activities during that event.
Bronson staff said family literacy nights include partner booths (the SAC, local reading initiatives and community organizations) and usually distribute or use a chosen book or genre for classroom activities. STEAM night featured community partners and hands-on models; the school sought local presenters and businesses for future STEAM activities.
The presenters said approved parent volunteers grew to 73 people, representing roughly 29% of the school population versus a prior target of 24%. Volunteers assist with field trips, PBIS events, the school store and classroom tasks. "We might have them cut out our Eagle Bucks... they'll even take things home and bring them back for us," Mrs. Wiggins said.
Board members praised the presentation. One member called the Bronson presenters "a dynamic duo" and others said they would share Bronson's practices with neighboring schools.
The presentation closed by listing upcoming events (an AVID family night in March and spring STEAM night) and asking the public to share potential presenter contacts for STEAM night.
Bronson Elementary presenters emphasized that the events are intended to make parents comfortable on campus so they will attend both celebratory and difficult meetings in the future.
