The USD 413 Foundation hosted a new type of event during their recent Foundation Family Night at Chanute Elementary School.
Laura Kmieck, chair of the CES committee said the USD 413 Foundation hosts Family Nights several times a year, but this is the first time the foundation has held a carnival. Assistant Principal Heather Burris said she was excited that families chose to attend.
“I think there was a really good turnout,” Kmieck said.
Attendees had a dinner of hotdogs and chips, and access to games and contests such as cornhole, hulahoop hopscotch, cup stacking competitions, musical chairs, Jenga, bottle flipping, and Twister. Volunteers from the Lady Panthers basketball team at Neosho County Community College led the games and offered small prizes like pencils and animal- shaped erasers.
“They have been amazing,” Kmeick said. She said the foundation offers additional support to the students and teachers in the district.
“We try to do ‘the addons,’” Kmeick said. “The district takes care of the necessities, so we try to do all the extras.”
Foundation Family Nights are a positive way to be in the school according to Kmeick.
“Some families do not always get to have positive interactions at school, so this is a fun and safe way they get to do that.”
Kmeick said she anticipates the foundation may hold carnivals for future Foundation Family Nights.
“Executing it was the best part because my committee works really well as a team,” Kmeick said.
Cup stacking contestant and fifth-grade student Elise Haworth said she enjoyed participating in cup stacking and was excited to play Twister.
“I think the carnival is really good,” fourth-grade student McKenna Reed said. “I like that everybody is so nice.”
Reed won a bout of cup stacking in a friendly match against Haworth during the carnival.
Scott Shields, a father of CES students, said they attend the Foundation Family Nights often.
“It’s a lot of fun and the kids love it,” Shields said.
Basketball players Lelani Carter and Shinie Suzuki ran the hula-hoop hopscotch game during the carnival. Both said they were happy to serve the community.
“The kids are so sweet, and it’s a good experience to show our face in the community,” Suzuki said. “They are always supporting us, so this is a ‘thank you’ to them.”
Students enjoy a game of musical chairs during the recent carnival held at Chanute Elementary School. Hannah Emberton | Tribune
