December 2012's Group Meeting

December has been a very busy month for the Eufaula CitySchool System’s HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters)program. Amidst the weekly staff meetings to train the Parent Educators and weekly delivery of curriculum to their 80 families, HIPPY staff along with their state mascot, HIPPY “P” Potamus, waved, danced, and cheered to the crowds of people lining the streets of downtown Eufaula in their local Christmas parade on December 4^th. They also continued their preparations forthe monthly group meeting. To get prepared for this group meeting there wasmuch cut out and donations were needed to help in the success of the meeting.We were able to receive a food donation from Subway (Joy Enterprise) to help with the dinner.

This month’s group meeting was special because it was the first big one of this school year, that was long awaited for, and along with the seven crafts to take part in the staff was preparing for two special visitors. As parents and their children walked into the cafeteria they were greeted by HIPPY “P” and were given the opportunity to have their child’s picture taken with stout but friendly hippo. Just before the meal was to be served we had to say good bye to HIPPY “P” as he had to make his way back to Montgomery. Near the end of dinner a most special guest came through the door.Everyone turned as the heard the blustery “Ho, ho, ho’s.” Santa and come all the way from the North Pole. We watched as the children’s excitement level grew with the anticipation of getting their chance to sit with this jolly friend. We split the families into four groups and they made their way from craft to craft, each group making its way back to our Northern visitor where each child was given personal time to let Santa know their Christmas desires and to have their picture taken.

I had the opportunity to go from room to room to take pictures of the families participating in the various crafts. I saw parentsexcited as their children were making Christmas mice, snowflakes, bells,Christmas trees and a couple different Rudolph’s. Parents were enjoying being together with their children and taking part in their excitement. The overall feeling of the group was that we really were one big family. The love and the enjoyment of one another’s company could be felt by all that were present. I watched as many of the adults enjoyed the crafts so much that they had to maket heir own along with their children.

With a Pre-k workshop and an AMMS basketball game going on simultaneously we still managed to have a great turn out. We had 28 of our families to attend giving us an attendance of close to 80 adults and children.All of the preparation that went into this meeting was definitely worth everyminute just to see all of the smiles and to hear all of the laughter. We are so thankful to all that helped and made this wonderful activity such a success.One of our biggest goals of the program is to get parents working together withtheir children and enjoying each other as they expand their child’s education.With this group meeting it was greatly evident that our program is definitely on course.