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Hazel Elementary School Holds Successful Family Math Night

West Orange, NJ – Despite the frigid temperatures, Hazel Elementary School held a very well-attended Family Math Night for students in grades 3-5 on Jan. 21 and grades K-2 on Jan. 22.

The event was developed by Grade 4 and 5 BSI teacher Karen Lott, Grade 4 math teacher Teresa Nigro, and Families and Schools Work Together for Children (F.A.S.T.) coordinator and Speech-Language Specialist Kim Fields-Murphy. Members of the Hazel PTA (Kiara Lo, Jen Mell, Davina Stevenson, Laura Hartman, and Sarah Fischler) worked with staff on plans and logistics for the two-night event.

“Additionally, Mrs. Lott and I attended the Jan. 14 Hazel PTA meeting, where we shared information about the F.A.S.T. grant,” said Teresa Nigro.

“I emphasized the goal of Family Math Night to bring together schools and families, highlighting the importance of collaboration,” she noted.

NJEA’s Families and Schools Together Work for Children (F.A..ST.) program works to encourage families to be involved in their children’s education, to enhance their academic progress, and to feel welcome in public schools. F.A.S.T. is a coalition of education advocates, community groups, and schools working together to foster family involvement.

"The grant enables WOEA union members to volunteer their time to organize events that will benefit their school communities. It also encourages teachers to assume leadership roles and express their creativity while planning these events," continued Ms. Nigro.
 
Mrs. Lott and I chose math because, as math teachers, we want to emphasize the importance of bringing families and schools together to have fun and reduce math anxiety. Families should engage in math games and include them in their home routines, much like reading a book before bed. When children observe adults enjoying math, it helps lessen their math anxiety and benefits everyone involved. After all, math is essential for life and learning."
 
F.A.S.T. coordinator Kim Fields-Murphy added, "The district is provided with a budget for events that qualify for F.A.S.T funding. They are provided through WOEA. Funds are available for every school in the district; however, the portal into which event proposals are submitted for approval closes in January. Any teacher can submit a proposal for an event before the portal closes. If funds are available and the event meets criteria, it is approved, and I assist the teacher with obtaining the approved items."

In addition to the math teachers and PTA, 24 Grade 4 Math Coaches assisted in helping both nights.

“Ursa, Skylar, Holden, Jimmy, Sheyli, Harper A., Harper S., Emily M., Manny, Adrian L., Quinn, Camryn, Arman, Kamila, Rohan, Michelle, Ihsan, Erin, Emily C, Milan, Ellie, Jaylene, Dylan, and Davidson did an amazing job,” continued Nigro.

“All the math coaches were dedicated fourth-grade students who volunteered to train with Mrs. Lott and me. They diligently practiced their stations at home, with many of them working on their skills after school, over weekends, and even the winter holiday break. We successfully organized an event centered on the joy of coming together to learn! I am incredibly proud of the leadership and problem-solving skills demonstrated by the math coaches throughout this event,” she explained.

Over the two nights, the math stations were adjusted to reflect the grade level of the participants. Registered families received WOEA/FAST drawstring bags to hold math manipulatives and materials from various stations. Additionally, they received informational game booklets that included accompanying math games and materials. The organizers wanted to motivate families to keep playing math games at home and help them integrate math into their daily routines.

MATH STATIONS

Tangram Station (3-5 and K-2)

Math Focus: Geometry-spatial reasoning, learning/practicing geometric concepts through active play exploration/ problem-solving) 

Number Riddle Station (3-5 and K-2)

Math Focus:  A fun way for students to practice grade-level math skills through creating clues for riddles they share with friends and family. 

Line Symmetry (3-5 and K-2)

Math Focus: Geometry-spatial reasoning, learning/practicing geometric concepts through active play exploration/ problem solving) 

Toothpick Math: (3-5)

Math Focus: Geometry-spatial reasoning, learning/practicing geometric concepts through active play exploration/ problems solving) 

Squares (3-5)

Math Focus: Arithmetic, arrays, and directional locations (rows, columns, diagonal) to achieve a given total.

Domino Deal and Domino Challenge: (3-5)

Math Focus: Focus on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and decimals.

Build a Silly Shape: (K-2)

Math Focus: Using dice to count numbers and create a silly shape.

Hit the Target: (K-2)

Math Focus: Focus on addition and subtraction.

Which Sum Wins: (K-2)

Math Focus: Use a ten-frame chart, dice, and counters to practice addition. 

Going Over (K-2)

Math Focus: practice addition with regrouping.

Hazel parent Jennifer Mell was enthusiastic about Family Math Night.

"I supported as a member of the PTA and my son acted as a math coach both nights. This was, without exaggeration, one of the best events we’ve attended at Hazel school." 

"Watching our fourth graders teach their fellow Hazel students at every age (younger and older) as well as their families was an extraordinary sight. The work Ms. Nigro and Ms. Lott put into working with each of these coaches to prepare them for the two nights was clearly demonstrated during the event. They were confident in their stations and excited to share their activities with the participants. This preparation enabled these students to manage their stations without direct adult oversight (of course Ms. Lott and Ms. Nigro were circulating to support).They answered questions and kept a giant number of families organized and moving through the activities. Everyone in the gym was laughing and smiling with their kids over math games, which is a rare opportunity. It was truly an incredible night to witness, and I was so proud to be able to support," she went on to say.

Nigro added thanks to the custodial crew (Jerry, Juan, and Cosmo, Lester) for helping set up and break down the multipurpose space, Monica Gammarra (Hazel's administrative assistant) for creating the eagle on the math coaches' t-shirts and running endless copies for the registration process, and Principal Joel Castillo for attending the two-night event.

T-Shirts for the math coaches were made by Luis Crespo of  Uptown Ink and Thread in West Orange.

 Families also had the opportunity to pre-order meals-to-go from The Salad House, located in Livingston. Owner David Delinko, a WOHS 1999 grad, worked with organizers to create a menu that allowed families to enjoy Math Night without worrying about dinner. Delinko personally delivered the meals on both nights and was happy to give back to his community.

SEE PHOTOS FROM HAZEL FAMILY NIGHT HERE.

Hazel Family Math Night

Fourth Grade Math Coaches

Hazel Family Math Night

(L-R) Hazel teacher Karen Lott, Principal Joel Castillo, K-5 Math Supervisor Darlene Berg, teacher Teresa Nigro, F.A.S.T. coordinator Kim Fields-Murphy

Hazel Family Math Night

Hazel Family Math Night

Cynthia Cumming
Jan. 27, 2025