When Life Gives You Coyotes, Change the Plan: Reflecting on Jam with the Fam

 

When Life Gives You Coyotes, Change the Plan: Reflecting on Jam with the Fam

If there is one thing we’ve learned in education, it’s that flexibility isn't just a skill—it’s a survival tactic. Our annual Jam with the Fam family dance is usually the highlight of the spring. Last year was a total blast with over 200 people glowing under the blacklights.

This year? Well, let’s just say Mother Nature and a very persistent coyote had other ideas.

The Best Laid Plans...

We started with high hopes for April 10. We had the neon ready, the blacklights prepped, and the food trucks booked. But as the date approached, the clouds opened up. Since Jam with the Fam is an indoor/outdoor social event, we made the tough call to postpone one week to April 17 to stay dry.

We felt like we won! The food trucks could reschedule, and while our DJ couldn't make the new date, he hooked us up with a killer custom playlist. We were golden. Or so we thought.

The "Wild" Turn of Events

By Tuesday, April 14, we had a new guest on campus: a coyote. When it returned on Wednesday during school hours, the District Office (rightfully!) raised safety concerns. Hosting an evening event with food trucks—essentially a giant dinner bell—was no longer an option on our home turf.

The Pivot: We relocated to our sister school’s gym.

Lessons in the Light

When we arrived Friday to decorate, we hit a "bright" realization: our sister school has beautiful, floor-to-ceiling windows. While great for daytime learning, they are the natural enemy of a Glow Dance. We couldn't get the room dark! Combine that with a spotty Wi-Fi connection that kept dropping the music, and the "vibe" was definitely different than last year.

While our attendance was lower this year (about 100 people compared to last year's 200), the families who came were absolute troopers. The food trucks were delicious, and people made the best of it by socializing outside while the gym stayed... well, very bright.

Listening to the Crowd: What’s Next?

The planning committee met after o debrief. We’re firm believers that "the way we’ve always done it" isn't always the best way forward. Between the weather, the wildlife, and the shifting interests of our students, we realized it’s time for something new.

The kids and families have spoken, and we are listening!

We are officially retiring the dance format for now and trading in the disco ball for something even more active. Next year, get ready for...

✨ Recess After Dark! ✨

We are leaning into the outdoor fun that families seem to love most. Imagine:

  • Light-up soccer balls and glowing basketballs.

  • Parent-led games and organized play across the fields.

  • Food trucks (coyote-permitting!).

  • Interactive stations and high-energy activities.

Sometimes a "failed" event is just a stepping stone to a better idea. We can’t wait to see our community under the stars next year for the ultimate night of play!

Just in case you want the graphic for Jam with the Fam, here you go!

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