Better Together

by Terri Conlin

All the signs of summer were out, a warm twilight, strollers in the neighborhood, that freshly-cut-grass smell and rollicking cheers from the ballpark to the crack of a bat. But school was still in session and the cafeteria was crowded with families eating pizza. So many families gathered for the first annual Family Night at Bridgeport Elementary that the pizza ran short. Job one next year, order more pizza. Problem solved! For the estimated 300 people in attendance, the focus this night was on the life skills of problem solving and perseverance wrapped in the strong arms of community. Presented in partnership between the public school and Rolling Hills Community Church, the event was the culmination of a dream. More than three years ago, Children’s Pastor Gary Strudler envisioned an interactive experience among parents, children, school, church and community.

Joyful Noise Brigade Puppeteers from Rolling Hills put on two puppet shows. The first starred the Court Jester of Ceremonies, a.k.a Terry Lomax, and the puppet Simon, a.k.a. Gary Strudler, chatting about playground bullies. Principal Jerry Nihill spoke up about being bullied as a child while Joyful Noise passed out Tootsie Pops for a game: persevere to see how long it takes to lick the lollipop to its chewy center without biting. After a few biters, a young girl won the game by licking only in one spot. Problem solved!

After a rousing chorus of “We Can Work it Out,” the room got quiet and cozy for a film clip from Toy Story. The kids saw forlorn toys gather as friends, make a plan and work as a team to escape the clutches of the bully Sid. Then the curtain opened to a drama about a queen, twin princesses and fighting gladiators who must work together to reach a glittering star piñata high above their heads. A second song, “Better Together,” rang in the family activity with verses in Spanish. Each family created a bright green paper wheel offering options for problem solving, then used the toy to spin for strategies. Halfway through the program, school families were so good about clean-up that the trash can stood full to overflowing. A quiet rustling revealed Principal Nihill emptying the trash and tying up a fresh liner. Hearts revealed, problem solved!

School Counselor Katie Pierce gave out 12 “Do the Right Thing” awards to two children in each grade who exemplified the life skills of problem solving and perseverance. Another sign of summer: the awards were brightly colored, ice cold popsicles. Then there was a black light puppet show set to music that had the crowd dancing in the aisles. The evening ended with an invitation to return next year. Terry Lomax already has an idea simmering like the approaching summer heat. Many families walked home fanning the warm air with bright green spinners like fireflies twinkling in the night sky.