Family Nights

CRI creates Family Night events for elementary and middle schools to encourage and empower parents to engage in their child’s education. These fun, informative evenings create an opportunity for parents and children to learn together. Learning is a family affair! CRI collaborates with school leadership to select Family Nights that support the school’s efforts to meet their curricular and parent engagement objectives.

Time frame

5:30 to 7:00 p.m., with first 30 minutes allowed for check-in, refreshments and activities for families.

What is Provided

Invitational flyers, pizza and beverage refreshments, interactive programs, all program materials, event volunteers and a CRI staff event coordinator.

Theme Ideas

Health and Wellness — Families rotate to different stations to learn about topics related to their health and safety, such as family fitness, nutrition, dental hygiene or family yoga.

Let’s Get Moving — Families rotate to different stations to try a variety of ways to get moving, such as yoga, hula hooping or Zumba.

Math and Games — Families rotate to different math stations where they learn and play math games. Each family receives the materials and instructions to continue playing the games at home.

Multicultural Celebration — Families rotate to different stations to learn about the culture, music or dance of various countries.

Participation Plays — Everyone plays a role in this production, whether the participant is a “star” or part of the sound effects. Tales like “Snow White” or “Treasure Island” come to life, with students serving as actors.

Performance — Families enjoy an exciting cultural presentation together. Presenter choices might include Opera Colorado, African Rhythms, puppetry, music and dance from Mexico, participation plays, and more.

Literacy Night — Storytellers or children authors can come visit and engage families while providing literacy tips.

Response to Literacy — Families listen to a story read by a CRI volunteer that concludes before the ending is read. Families write/draw their own endings to the story and have the opportunity to share those endings with their group. Students select a new book to take home.

Science Discovery — Families rotate to science stations to learn about a variety of topics, such as chemistry, magic, live animals and rocketry.

Your Choice — Events can be designed to meet a school’s specific needs or vision.

The cost:

Fees may vary depending on size of the school, grades to be included and type of night selected.

Please note that we charge a 2% fee for payments made via credit card.

Volunteers

All Family Nights are held at local elementary or middle schools and run from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up (5:00), serving refreshments (5:30-6:00), and helping families rotate to the various learning stations (6:00-7:00).

Responsibilities of Volunteers at Various Nights

Reading — Volunteers read to small groups of children for thirty minutes while their parents meet with a reading professional. Complimentary books are provided for the students at the school.

Response to Literacy — Volunteers read to a group of families, stopping the story before the ending. Volunteers then have guests write or illustrate their own ending to the story and lead a sharing session. Stories/materials are provided for the volunteers.

Math/Games Night — Volunteers teach very simple math games to families. All materials and instructions are provided.

Art Night — Volunteers help with the distribution of art supplies and then assist the art instructor and families with their creations.

All Other Nights — Volunteers help families rotate to the various learning activities.

Family Night Volunteer Interest Form

Please complete the following form to become a Family Night Volunteer. Please note that we do need to run a background check.