On the evening of Tuesday March 19 2024, Francis Lewis held a Family Fun Night, inviting students and their families to spend the evening enjoying different activities together. One of the many events was a cooking class hosted by the culinary program at the school. Students and their families got to make their own pizzas with the help of Chef Victoria Tapia and a few culinary students.
“For our first time I think it went pretty well,” said Chef Tapia. “I think obviously like anything, the first time, you always pick out what went wrong and what can go better for the future. I think that it was nice to open up to other students that are not in the culinary [program] and their family so that they can see what’s going on.”
Participants were delighted with their experience making their own pizza and being able to savor their completed baked goods at the end. Students and parents say that the event allowed them to spend time with one another, check out the school, and meet teachers and other families.
“I’m so happy to be here because I’ve been dying to see the kitchen,” said parent, Albert Nehmed. “I met the principal tonight, and I met a few of her teachers, so it was extra special today to be here.”
Ms. Joanna Paloglou, a teacher at Francis Lewis High School, helped manage family fun night event. She indicates that the event provided an opportunity for families to bond and emphasized the importance of parent engagement in their child’s school life.
“It’s always significant to have parental involvement, we are all a team trying to help our wonderful population to do amazing things,” said Ms. Paloglou. “When you have parents involved in their kids’ education and school life, I think that only strengthens that bond and helps improve student outcomes.”
