By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
USD 428 Great Bend is hosting its first district-wide Family Engagement Night of the Year on Thursday, Sept. 28. District Public Information Director Andrea Bauer said this year's events will be a little different than last year.
"New this year, we're kind of transitioning our Family Engagement Nights to All In with Parents," she said. "We'll be encouraging families to be advocates for their children's education, and just learning a little bit more. With parent-teacher conferences right around the corner, helping them learn a little bit more about how to ask questions, how to be an advocate for their student."
Family Engagement Nights are typically held each quarter. Thursday's event will take place in the Great Bend Middle School commons at 1919 Harrison Street from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
"We want people to bring the whole family," Bauer said. "Parents will engage in some conversations and things, but we've got supervised activities for Pre-K through 12th grade, then refreshments for everyone."
"All In" is the district's theme for the 2023-24 school year, and encourages a mindset of collaboration and shared purpose. Bauer said surveys have been sent to families so the district can best suit those families with upcoming family engagement opportunities.