FARMINGTON — Dr. Nichole Goodspeed, Principal of Cascade Brook School, reported the success of their first parent/family night since 2019 to the Regional School Unit 9 board of directors at their meeting on Tuesday, April 11.

“It was really nice to have, that people said, ‘oh, so good to have this back’,” Goodspeed stated. “We’re really happy.”

The parent/family night took place March 30 and was the first parent/family night since the COVID-19 pandemic halted all social gatherings until last year, when restrictions started to get lifted.

The parent/family night coincided with a visit from Award-winning Children’s Author and Maine native Angeli Perrow, who read from her book “Many Hands: A Penobscot Indian Story”. According to Perrow’s website, the book explores the traditional craft of fancy basket making in the Native Penobscot culture.

After the visit, students were invited to make posters and write essays about their own family traditions, which were on display at the parent/family night for the parents to see as well.

At the parent/family night, members of The Burnurwurbskek Singers from Old Town showcased Native American drumming while families engaged in paper weaving, lacrosse and a drawing for a copy of the book.

“It was fun,” Director Dee Robinson shared, having gone with her daughter to the event. “I don’t just read [Robinson’s daughter’s] essay, I read others. It was just heartwarming.”

According to Goodspeed, over 300 students participated with either a poster or an essay. She also said the turnout for the event was big, which Robinson also stated.

“It was so crowded at one point, it was like you were shoulder to shoulder and everybody was laughing and having a good time,” Robinson said. “It was really great to be back in the community again.”

Superintendent Christian Elkington stressed the importance of having these types of events now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

“Nichole brings up a really important point that we’ve started to get below the surface on and that’s parent, family involvement,” Elkington stated. “We have been apart for so long and the things that people have been used to, we’re not doing so we seem unfriendly. The schools seem unfriendly.”

He continued, “Those are the kinds of events that make the school alive and give purpose and show parents the kids and how excited they are about being at their school and showing their work or showing what they’ve created. So, it’s an important issue.”

Elkington stated that the issue was something the administrative office would continue talking about and monitoring moving forward.

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