Building relationships over pastries

SEELEY LAKE – Parents, children and teachers at Seeley Lake Elementary gathered before school Nov. 20 for the second Pastries for Parents. The intent of the program is to engage parents and build relationships between parents, the school and the teachers.

Pastries for Parents is an established event held across the country as an effort to engage family members with the children and the school. Other variations include Muffins for Moms, Donuts for Dads and Goodies for Grandparents.

Following the 2017 Rice Ridge fire, a grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy provided the funds to make SLE Counselor Toni Sexton's position full time. This is the first time the school has ever had a full time counselor and builds capacity in order to provide more assistance to parents, students and the community. Sexton started the Pastries for Parents in October and had 20 families attend the event.

"We have lacked that parent communication and we need it to come back for us and for the kiddos," said Sexton. "We need the parents to be a part of our programs, for the development of the children and for the success of the school."

Sexton said it gives parents the opportunity to be in the school and promotes communication between parents and their children, parents and the teachers and parents with other parents. It also gives the school's breakfast program a boost.

After the first event, Special Education Aide Karmen Braulik has taken the lead on the Pastries for Parents. She is excited to bring parents into the school for something positive, not just the negative things like Parent/Teacher conferences.

"It's to mingle, parents with parents, parents with teachers, just all of us getting together as a community and being involved in the school more," said Braulik.

They had more than 30 families attend this month's event. Braulik said they are looking forward to hosting two more Pastries for Parents in February and April. She is also looking forward to hosting a Goodies for Grandparents Jan. 25 from 3-4 p.m. to give grandparents an opportunity to pick up their grandchildren, enjoy a goodie and mingle. "We are bringing all kinds of community together, not just for the parents," said Braulik.

The grant from the Center of Disaster Philanthropy is not funding the Pastries for Parents. Braulik said they are looking for sponsors to maintain the event and taking donations to help cover the costs of the pastries and drinks. This month, Jen Trevino donated homemade coffee cake muffins and Danishes and Tessa Stevens made homemade donuts.

"Anything helps. We have a lot of people donating their time and donating the pastries," said Baulik who was grateful for everyone's support.

"The whole point is trying to get parents into the school and building relationships so if they need support they feel like there is a connection here," said Angela Harris, SLE's director of student support. "This is a preventative effort to build resiliency."

If interested in helping out or to become a sponsor call Braulik or Sexton at SLE, 677-2265.