It’s too close to dinner time.

We just had Bingo Night on Thursday.

It’s a tough time of year.

There is play practice that same afternoon.

There is a lot going on…

These were just some of the reasons we tossed around about why families might not attend our Night At The Library event to celebrate the end of this year’s One Book, Two School experience. Since Covid, we have usually concluded our whole school read with an online Zoom event where kids and their families come together to share and talk about the book. We are always surprised by how many families log on and it’s always the sweetest thing to see kids in their jammies, some with wet hair fresh from the bath, snuggling up with their family to talk about a book they’ve read aloud together.

This year, our librarian conjured up a vision of a gathering at our public library. We were skeptical for all of the reasons listed above. “It might be just us and a few families,” our principal warned.

But as we prepared to get started, the flow of people entering the library was steady. There were tables filled with families who had packed dinner, eating and chatting with others. There were friends connecting, both children and adults. There was a buzz as a community gathered.

Afterwards, as our principal said she had to “eat her words,” we celebrated the 180 people that showed up on the Monday after daylight savings to talk about Cynthia Lord’s Because of the Rabbit. It made us all realize that if invited, families will show up.

Tonight my own kids’ school hosted a STEAM night. As soon as the flier came home, the kids were eager to add the event to our calendar, verification that we would attend. Despite the fact that every night this week had already required juggling of rides and dinner and help from others, we went to STEAM night. We went for the connection to the friends and families. We also went to support the hard work we knew the teachers and staff had put into the event. But mostly, we went to be a part of the school community.

Our town’s Board of Education is currently in a very rough budget season and the board, many who know very little about education, has been very vocal about how our schools are “failing.” Their solution is to cut vital positions including all librarians, reading teachers and coaches, as well as math teachers and coaches. Anyone who knows what these people do in a school know that the impact of these losses will be detrimental to the function of a school.

The impact and value of a community is hard to quantify and measure. Things like Nights at the Library and STEAM nights and so many other aspects of what make a school a magical place don’t get captured by state test scores. I don’t disagree that there are some ways in which our schools are failing and need attention and work. But there are also many ways that they are thriving.