FAST Program at Harrison Graduates 15 Families
FAST Program at Harrison Graduates 15 Families
“See all of these people?” says five year-old Elliot Lockshine as he gestures toward the fifteen families enjoying a home-cooked dinner in Harrison’s cafeteria. “All of these people are my friends.”
“That,” says Toni Gelsomino, Program Manager of Early Childhood for the City of Lakewood, “is what FAST is all about.”
FAST (Families and Schools Together) is a national program that builds strong parent-child communication and social support. Based on research that embraces family systems theory and risk prevention, FAST has been implemented in more than 600 schools in 40 states. The program, however, is active in only two of Lakewood’s public elementary schools -- Roosevelt and Harrison.
On April 28, Harrison proudly graduated 15 families from the FAST program. These families represent the third cycle of FAST graduates from the school.
The FAST process is based on a foundation of collaboration among key players in the community. The program activities are led by the FAST team, which consists of Mr. Gelsomino, Harrison Family Resource Coordinator Chris Bringman, teacher Genni Lach and parent partners Rene Volkers, Melissa Cruz and Julie Johnson, a community partner from Community Challenge. The team works in collaboration with the parents and volunteer members of the community. Funding is provided through the Cuyahoga County Drug and Alcohol Board, but requires a significant commitment from the school and community.
FAST participants gather one evening per week for eight weeks, starting the evening with a home cooked meal prepared by one of the participating families. Volunteers from the school and community assist with serving the meal, so that families are able to maximize their time together. In a slight twist on reality, children actually serve their parents’ dinners first and then serve themselves.
After dinner and some warm up activities, the children engage in arts and crafts and physical play, while their parents participate in “buddy time” and parent groups. During buddy time, parents split off into groups of two. Each partner has an equal opportunity to vent and to listen when it is the other partner’s turn to talk. The evening wraps up with “special play,” where the designated FAST child and his or her parent have a dedicated 15 minutes of play time together. Before adjourning, the families gather together for one final activity and a special lottery.
Parents and their children agree that their families come out stronger as a result of participating in FAST. “One of my goals was to strengthen my family unit,” said Karen Roepke, a mother of a kindergartner. “I think we accomplished that, plus I feel we have developed a deeper partnership with the school.” Kindergartner Emma Hirsh explains that she “really liked the special time with mom and dad.”
After graduation, families are eligible to participate in FASTWORKS, through which FAST graduates gather together on a monthly basis for fun family activities and friendship. Past FASTWORKS activities have included swimming, ice skating and bowling. Later this month, all three classes of FAST graduates will gather for a picnic at Lakewood Park.
Among the many benefits of FAST are strong families and a connected community. Chris Bringman emphasizes the impact of the program on the community, “FAST is this wonderful labor intensive experience that builds a sense of community for everyone involved, the team, teachers (volunteer helpers) and families.”
“See all of these people?” says five year-old Elliot Lockshine as he gestures toward the fifteen families enjoying a home-cooked dinner in Harrison’s cafeteria. “All of these people are my friends.”
“That,” says Toni Gelsomino, Program Manager of Early Childhood for the City of Lakewood, “is what FAST is all about.”
FAST (Families and Schools Together) is a national program that builds strong parent-child communication and social support. Based on research that embraces family systems theory and risk prevention, FAST has been implemented in more than 600 schools in 40 states. The program, however, is active in only two of Lakewood’s public elementary schools -- Roosevelt and Harrison.
On April 28, Harrison proudly graduated 15 families from the FAST program. These families represent the third cycle of FAST graduates from the school.
The FAST process is based on a foundation of collaboration among key players in the community. The program activities are led by the FAST team, which consists of Mr. Gelsomino, Harrison Family Resource Coordinator Chris Bringman, teacher Genni Lach and parent partners Rene Volkers, Melissa Cruz and Julie Johnson, a community partner from Community Challenge. The team works in collaboration with the parents and volunteer members of the community. Funding is provided through the Cuyahoga County Drug and Alcohol Board, but requires a significant commitment from the school and community.
FAST participants gather one evening per week for eight weeks, starting the evening with a home cooked meal prepared by one of the participating families. Volunteers from the school and community assist with serving the meal, so that families are able to maximize their time together. In a slight twist on reality, children actually serve their parents’ dinners first and then serve themselves.
After dinner and some warm up activities, the children engage in arts and crafts and physical play, while their parents participate in “buddy time” and parent groups. During buddy time, parents split off into groups of two. Each partner has an equal opportunity to vent and to listen when it is the other partner’s turn to talk. The evening wraps up with “special play,” where the designated FAST child and his or her parent have a dedicated 15 minutes of play time together. Before adjourning, the families gather together for one final activity and a special lottery.
Parents and their children agree that their families come out stronger as a result of participating in FAST. “One of my goals was to strengthen my family unit,” said Karen Roepke, a mother of a kindergartner. “I think we accomplished that, plus I feel we have developed a deeper partnership with the school.” Kindergartner Emma Hirsh explains that she “really liked the special time with mom and dad.”
After graduation, families are eligible to participate in FASTWORKS, through which FAST graduates gather together on a monthly basis for fun family activities and friendship. Past FASTWORKS activities have included swimming, ice skating and bowling. Later this month, all three classes of FAST graduates will gather for a picnic at Lakewood Park.
Among the many benefits of FAST are strong families and a connected community. Chris Bringman emphasizes the impact of the program on the community, “FAST is this wonderful labor intensive experience that builds a sense of community for everyone involved, the team, teachers (volunteer helpers) and families.”
Volume 4, Issue 10, Posted 10:45 PM, 05.01.2008
