When families and the school are working hand in hand student achievement thrives. Looking at the glass half full, the pandemic has really increased our family engagement. In addition is has forced us out of our comfort zones. Often times we repeat lessons and events each year. We have a plan, it works well, why reinvent the wheel? Well, Covid did not give us a choice. Black History Month is a very special time for families in Prince Edward County. It really was neat to come up with new ways to celebrate, remember, and honor our Black Heroes. This year as a division we did three big events. First we partnered with the Robert Russa Moton Museum to host a family scavenger hunt. We created two scavenger hunts, one for elementary students and one for middle and high. Families were invited to visit the Moton Museum and complete the scavenger hunt. They could email us answers or photos of their visit. "I literally cried as the students came through the building for the scavenger hunt. It was the first time really since the pandemic began that I heard young voices yelling in the auditorium, being corralled by their parents and trekking through. It blessed my soul." Direct quote from Cam Patterson -Moton Museum Director. In addition to the scavenger hunt, we hosted a family movie night. We purchased license rights for our families to watch Hidden Figures in teh comfort of their home. Families who registered were snail mailed movie watching kits from us. We sent them popcorn, m&amp;ms, the Hidden Figures book and a few other items. On movie night we sent them a link to stream the movie all at the same time. In addition teachers were given resources for the movie to use in their classrooms for cross curricular connection and collaboration. The last thing we did for BHM was host a virtual trivia night. Families participated in a kahoot game of 20 BHM trivia questions. Families that participated in the scavenger hunt and trivia night were snail mailed packages that included new books highlighting BlackHeroes, branded school swag and more.

<strong>Contact: </strong>

Jenn Kinne, Family and Community Engagement Liaison

<a href="mailto:jennifer.kinne@pecps.k12.va.us">jennifer.kinne@pecps.k12.va.us</a>

434-315-2100 x1852