The Hogg Middle School cheerleaders warm up for their performance, at right, as parents begin to arrive Wednesday for the Fall Into Razorback Land luncheon at the school in Tyler. The school hosted student's families at a luncheon and health fair as part of its semiannual outreach to parents. Andrew D. Brosig/Tyler Morning Telegraph via AP

 

Dr. Eddie Dunn knew there would be challenges when he came to Hogg Middle School as principal in 2014.

One of his priorities was rebuilding parent involvement, and thanks to an innovative outreach program, the school’s Parent Teacher Association held its first election in years Wednesday.

During the lunch rush, the school’s main gym was turned into a banquet room, complete with entertainment by the students. Parents were the guests of honor.

The “Fall Into Razorback Country” event is part of an initiative that sees parent outreach moving to more accessible hours, counselor Kristin Carter said.

“Things like this and our open house we’ve utilized to tell parents we want them here and involved,” Carter said. “We let them know we really are a family.”

By letting parents come and go during their lunch, the school has seen involvement soar. Parents who work evenings are now able to watch their children perform and learn more about activities throughout the year. During the event, the staff capitalized on having the parents on hand by hosting a mini-health fair.

Groups of students chatted nervously as they waited to perform Wednesday. Parents were provided with a schedule in advance so they could be sure to come to their student’s performance, whether they were a cheerleader or a member of the school’s orchestra.

The idea came from Dunn’s days as principal at a school with low involvement, where he was able to bring the average number of parents at events from 50 to 500.

“It was an incredible, beautiful thing,” he said. “School is better when the parents are involved, students are better. That’s a reality.”

PTA President Alejandra Ochoa is excited to see what the newly invigorated group can accomplish.

“From here, we’re going to start working on fundraisers and dances,” she said.

For Dunn, the event was validation that the school really has become a community family.

“We try really hard to have a sense of family,” he said. “It’s easier said than done, but our kids are starting to believe that.”

 

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