To keep our SAGE grant, we need to keep our "lights on" after hours by holding monthly events at our elementary school.

Anyone out there have ideas for an activity in January for a Wisconsin elementary school?

Something that wouldn't cost too much (holiday bills) and the weather is sooo cold!

By the way, this Forum ROCKS!

Try a movie night.The kids use their sleeping bags or blankets to sit on in the gym. Videos are cheap to rent or borrow. Sell popcorn/pop for .50. Even if it gets snowed out, you won't be out much money.

We got the "thumbs up" for our elementary school's family movie night.

Any ideas out there for a family-friendly movie? Shrek is on video, but that has some subtle adult tones.

Thanks!

How about a talent show!! Have parnets and kids do whatever. Sing, tell a joke, read a poem, anything really. You don't have to have a judge. Everyone can show sometime or another. Our kids love this. Parents and grandparnets love it to. Have each parent/family bring a plate of cookies or something to drink and have a party after.

Good luck!
Janine

We have a game night. Different rooms are set up with differnet games - BINGO with a them, we sell pop & popcorn for cheap, raffle of a family door prize(game pack, pizza cetifciate, movie tickets), use the cafeteria to set out different games like a big floor puzzle, checkers, we have scrabble, dominoes, etc. It's a lot of fun. We even bring in a big screen tv and the kids signup for 15 minute blocks to play video games. An adult is required to attend.
We've also participated in a Reading & Math night-the them was Wizard of Oz- we followed the Yellow Brick Road to each table, each table had a oz theme decoration and a game that had to do with math or reading. They raffled off some books at the end of the evening, the people manningthe tables and doors were dresed like the characters from the show. High FFA had babysitting service for the little critters in one ofthe gyms. It was a great evening.
Check with your widlife dept, etc. they can realy have some great programs.
One other great idea is a genuis night or art/crafts night, it takes a little time to gather up stuff, but differnt tables in cafeteria or classrooms to make simple crafts from everyones lieft overs, with a little notice you can collect all the toliet paper rings and plastic bottles you would need. For the genuis night, Pepsi or beer falt to hold a variety of things they can design into their own creation. Differnt rooms could even have different types of themed boxes. Some factories in your community probably have some great scrap materials - you'd be surprised what these kids can come up with with a few odd and end items. It's a great evening. If you need help with craft ideas email me and I'll be glad to send some specific ideas to you.
I always think there is a way to have fun and emphaise community unity so have ask the kids to bring a bar of soap, box of crayons, toothbrush, canned food, etc., and give to your local food bank, mission house, or whatever to distribute. bxtrfumc@4state,com

Dude!! We have a Hawaiian Party ( spelling is gone right now sorry!) Being from Iowa and now living in Colorado I am no stranger to cold or snow and the kids love wearing their favorite shirts! This is also a skate party but I can't see why you can't use this for other events.
I agree it's tough to beat the winter blahs especially when the temp is -20!

That brings another thought, could you put together a pot luck with a little entertainment provided by the Music Dept.? This also has gone over great for our school just make sure you don't schedule it during an play-offs unless you can bring in a TV for the Dads!
Have fun with this!