Gingerbread House Making Unites Students, Teachers, and Parents for Success
Hillcrest Academy's Lower School creates a unique blend of activities that drive students’ educational journey forward. Activities like the annual gingerbread house making and class-led chapel services welcome parents and trusted adults on campus, creating an incredibly beneficial rhythm for students.
Hillcrest students participate in many activities during the Christmas season. Programs and recitals are nearly endless, but there are especially unique activities at Hillcrest that brings parents, students, and teachers together for special community and learning opportunities.
The annual gingerbread house event is the most recent activity at Hillcrest’s lower school that united the Hillcrest community. Teachers work with classroom parents who volunteer to help organize and celebrate the various events and lessons learned in classrooms throughout the year. These classroom parents often orchestrate support for learning units with volunteer and donating opportunities for families. The annual gingerbread house-making brought parents, grandparents, and trusted adults on campus to engage teachers and administration and unite the home with the learning environment.
The Positive Ripple Effect of Adult Involvement on Student Engagement:
Research studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between adult involvement and increased student engagement. Students with actively involved parents and trusted adults are more likely to exhibit higher motivation and enthusiasm for learning. Non-teacher adult participation in school events fuels students' passion for learning, transforming each school day into an experience of academic, social, and spiritual growth.
The active involvement of adults on campus contributes not only to student excitement with school and learning but also fuels parent satisfaction and affirms perceived academic progress parents might feel or find themselves working to understand. Research by the National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools shows that when parents and other adults participate in school activities, students are more likely to report higher levels of satisfaction with their educational experience.
A Wealth of Volunteers and Support from Hillcrest Parents and Grandparents:
Hillcrest Academy's commitment to building a solid community for students to learn is evident in the abundance of volunteers and adults who generously contribute their time. These individuals play a vital role in shaping the school environment, from assisting with recess duty to providing classroom support for teachers. While some may sense a simple day of volunteering or standing in monitoring recess is insignificant, a longitudinal study by the Journal of School Psychology found that students in schools with a high level of adult involvement exhibit better social and emotional development, contributing to a positive and supportive school culture. Hillcrest is blessed by incredible non-teacher adult engagement that shapes the school community, supports classroom learning, and facilitates an environment of adult engagement that prepares young students for future growth and development.
Preparing for Mentorship in the Upper School:
The involvement of adults in the Lower School impacts the present and lays the foundation for successful mentorship programs in Hillcrest's Upper School. Parents, grandparents, and other adults actively participating during the formative years of a student’s primary school experience become trusted figures and set the stage for effective mentorship relationships in the future.
Hillcrest Academy's Lower School is a shining example of the transformative power of adult involvement in education. School events build cherished memories and set an expectation for adult engagement in students' lives. Committing to active participation enhances student engagement, participation, and overall mental health. The dedication of parents, grandparents, and invested adults demonstrates the belief that education is a collaborative effort, and its benefits extend far beyond the classroom walls.