Family Nights Anchor Attendance & Belonging at West Lawn Elementary

Science, Math, & Art stations filled the hallways and classrooms of West Lawn Elementary, but the activities weren’t just for students — families joined the fun too. 

On a Fall Tuesday night in September, the West Lawn Elementary building was buzzing with activity.  Staff were stacking pizza boxes for quick meals, games in classrooms were getting the final touches, and GISH National Honor Society students set-up stations in the gym.  

Dr. Maggie Mintken, West Lawn Elementary Principal, was setting up her station, the welcome table.  After all, this wasn’t her first rodeo; she knew to expect a large number of smiling faces walking through the door in the coming hours.  She carries the commitment of welcoming every individual with a smile, a good word, and a high-five or a hug.

All of it for a greater purpose. 

Mustang Family STEAM Night was just one installment of a regular series of monthly events hosted at West Lawn.  The family friendly nights have become a cornerstone for West Lawn as the school seeks to strengthen relationships with families and cultivate a community where all feel like they belong.
 

“I’ve seen over the course of my career, the better your relationship with families are the more they feel connected. The more times you can interact with them and have conversations, it all helps.”  Dr. Mintken said.  “They see you having fun. You see them having fun, and it just builds that connection with families.  Building that connection to the school is huge.”

And so, on a Tuesday night in September, West Lawn opened its doors to welcome their students and families to enjoy learning-based games. 

Focused on building connections through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Mathematics) students were encouraged to lead their families around the school and stop at each activity station. 

The gym hosted stations to build bottle stomp rockets, and launch zipline balloon races.  Classrooms had paint-your-own canvas art stations for families, math-based board games, makerspace opportunities in the media center, and even a set-up to guess how many drops of water can fit on pennies.  Laughter and discovery filled each station for students and adults alike.

All of it learning-based, and, again, for a greater purpose. 
 

“Kids love to introduce us to their families and their siblings and vice versa.” Mintken continued, “So it makes a big difference.  We’re seeing a huge increase in our attendance at West Lawn, and I truly believe it's a result of family engagement. I love it because they get to interact with us.”

How do monthly events like these come together? 

Ask the Mustang Staff and they’ll tell you much of it starts with Gladys. 
 

As the Family School Engagement Coordinator, Gladys Martinez Cruz is the go-to person for creative ideas, resources, and plans for building connections with West Lawn families.  A product of Grand Island Public Schools and a proud GISH Graduate herself, she brings passion and care to her work with students and families because she understands first-hand the positive impact public schools can make. 

“So just getting these families in [to the school] and making them feel welcomed is everything.”  Gladys said. “Making them feel like, ‘hey, my students are being treated well here’. Or, like ‘they have relationships here’.  Building those relationships with parents is important for me.”

Fostering a sense of belonging has been a primary focus for Dr. Mintken and the West Lawn Team.  As their work continued these last few years, the expanding emphasis of student belonging to families as well has been galvanizing.  And for Gladys, it fuels her every day.
 

Serving as a Family Engagement Coordinator, no two days are the same for Gladys.  With a smile on her face and equipped with her bilingual skills, she proudly serves as a go-to point of contact for West Lawn families and a reliable support for staff and students.  From fielding phone calls, to setting-up appointments, to connecting with folks in the parking lot at dismissal time, or to planning big events like the monthly family nights — all of it serves the greater purpose:  You belong here and students will succeed.   

And on that Tuesday night in September, Gladys took a moment to appreciate the festivities.  Looking around at all the students, families, GISH volunteers, and Mustang Staff building connections, painting artwork, and launching science projects brought a smile to her face. 

“I just want the kids to be happy.” Gladys reflected. “I want their families to come here and enjoy our school and definitely pizza.  Don’t want language barriers to be a problem… I really like creating those bonds with the kids and parents.” 
 

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