Gateway Charter School’s ParentCamp on April 22 brought families, educators, students, and community members together for an evening of connection, conversation, and fun! With sunshine, laughter, shared meals, and meaningful conversations throughout the school, the evening created space for people to come together and genuinely connect.
The atmosphere in the rooms and school felt welcoming, bright and joyful thanks to the Gateway ParentCamp Team. Families shared a full dinner spread of pizza, pasta, chicken, cookies, and more while reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new people. Children enjoyed caring, engaging activities with Gateway staff, including arts and crafts, games, and time running and playing in the gym.
The evening featured four dialogue spaces where participants could choose conversations most meaningful to them:
Let’s Talk: Vaping & Our Kids
You’re Not Alone: Supporting Kids Through Trauma
Infinite Campus Made Simple
Balancing It All as a Caregiver
Each room offered something unique. The trauma conversation, facilitated by Gateway Assistant Principal Angela Taylor, created space for honest and heartfelt dialogue around supporting children through difficult experiences. In the caregiver room, participants connected so deeply that they asked to continue the conversation at the next ParentCamp.
One especially meaningful conversation happened in the “Infinite Campus Made Simple” room. Mike Purcell, Gateway’s Technology Coordinator, answered family questions about the school’s new Infinite Campus platform while listening closely to their experiences and concerns. Families appreciated having a direct space to ask questions, and one experienced parent even helped support others in the conversation by sharing what she had learned using the platform at another school.
Another highlight was the vaping discussion led by Alyson Lang from the Delaware Department of Education. Families appreciated the chance to learn together and ask important questions in a relaxed, conversational setting.
Families also shared reflections about what made the evening meaningful. One parent shared, “I’m grateful for other parents sharing their experiences and for a night of childcare!” Another reflected on a practical takeaway from the evening, saying, “An action step I’ll take is understanding that I have access to my daughter’s IEP assistance on Infinite Campus.”
Throughout the evening, there was a strong feeling of reconnection and community. Some families were brand new to Gateway and preparing for next year, while others reunited unexpectedly after attending ParentCamps at different schools in the past. Those moments of recognition and relationship-building reflected what ParentCamp is all about: creating spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and connected.
The night ended with musical chairs in the gym, laughter echoing across the room, prizes for families, and a joyful group photo bringing everyone together.
Thank you to Gateway Charter School, the facilitators, families, staff, and community partners for making the evening such a meaningful success.
#ParentCamp #DEDelivers #GatewayCharterSchool #FamilyEngagement #BuildingCommunity