As an AmeriCorps Playworks coach I am lucky to serve our kids on a daily basis. I teach kids games, positive social skills and cooperation. I see them every day at league games, in after- school programs, during junior coach trainings, in the classroom and on playground. Like all Playworks coaches, I am one of the few individuals at my school who interacts with every student on a consistent and dynamic basis.
These daily moments with students are a wonderful part of my service that is easy to lose sight of because I do it every day. Yet even more rare and cherished, are the moments with the parents and families of our beloved students. The relationships I build with families improve school culture because they complement the work I do during the school day. These relationships greatly impact our school by creating a welcoming school environment where families feel valued.
In January, alongside my fellow AmeriCorps members and Family Engagement Group at my school, I hosted Family Fitness Night. This service event at Cesar Chavez Elementary School encouraged students and families to learn the value of play and health–not through pamphlets and articles–but by getting active themselves.
We began the evening with a faculty vs students and family kickball game. There were roughly 20 faculty members, including our Academic Dean, Vice Principal and Principal, and about 100 students, aunts, uncles, moms, dads and even a few grandmothers.
There were many memorable moments as the game unfolded. A sixth grader mother came up to the plate confessing, “Now, this is my first time…” and then knocked a double over a teacher’s head. A kindergartener kicked the ball, then ran from home to first to center field to short-stop before finally arriving at second for a stand up double.
The whole community was involved. Watching them play together was truly magical moment.
Following the fun, healthy game, we served everyone free salad, sandwiches, water and fruit to satisfy the appetite we worked up playing kickball. As anyone who works in any school can attest, we see far too many children eating Hot Cheetos and Takis as their breakfast. To be able to provide a nutritious, delicious meal to the students and their families free of charge is a very impactful thing.
At the Family Fitness Night service event, the students saw their teachers, principal, and family members in a new, healthy and playful light, and family members saw their school not just as a place to drop off their kids, but as a fun and welcoming environment.
Guest Blogger Evan Matthews is an AmeriCorps member at Cesar Chavez in East Palo Alto, CA. Originally from Atlanta, Coach Evan worked previously as a mentor through San Bernardino Juvenile Hall and has done after-school music programs with a group called Music Changing Lives. His future goals include becoming a principal in order to forever have a positive impact in the lives of children.
