Money collected through the sale of family plots, face painting, and food went to funding school programs. The third program took place in February. The Family Dinner was held to provide an opportunity for families to enjoy a dinner together and to be with other families. We also wanted to increase attendance at the P.T.A. meeting that was scheduled to follow the dinner. We felt this would help improve communication of school information to parents.
Informed parents are more likely to be actively involved in their children's school.
Tickets went on sale three weeks before the dinner and were priced so that cost would not prohibit families from attending. Tickets were advertised and volunteers solicited in the P.T.A. and school newsletters. Advance ticket sales accounted for most of the three hundred tickets sold. We gave complimentary tickets to Oakdale teachers and staff. Many teachers bought additional tickets for their family members.