Summer is near and Carson City Elementary schools are celebrating the end of one more school year.
Nearly 500 parents and students from Empire Elementary gathered Monday for a barbecue, face painting and a game of baseball at the school.
"It promotes the parents to get involved in the school," said Teri Cantley, a member of the school's Parent-Teacher Association. "It's a social event to get together and have a good time and show parents that school can be fun for them, too."
Emily Dent, 11, a fifth-grader at the school, has attended the picnic for four years.
"They've had a lot of fun stuff here and good food," Emily said. "It's been really fun."
The PTA provided the hamburgers and hot dogs for the barbecue and each family brought a side dish.
"We get more of a a turnout because it's a neighborhood thing," said PTA member Carl Cantley. "They can just walk. There's not very many cars here."
Suzy Salinas brought her children to the dinner.
"We came because we were hungry and my kids wanted to come," she said. "It's really nice weather, too."
Acting Vice Principal Pat Carpenter said many former students also attended the activity.
Fritsch Elementary School treated over 200 of its parent volunteers to breakfast Thursday morning.
"Without community support and family involvement, it would be really difficult to meet the needs of the kids," said Vice Principal Jim Cazier. "We want to show appreciation for what others do."
Fritsch students who receive straight A's will be honored at a special lunch at Burger King on June 1.
However, they are not the only students who will be recognized.
"We don't just reward kids for getting straight A's, we reward kids for doing a good job," Cazier said.
Following a field day on June 6, the school will hold an awards assembly.
Presidential awards, signed by Bill Clinton, will be presented to all students will a 3.5 grade-point average or higher. Most Improved awards, also signed by Clinton, will be given to those showing substantial improvement over the year.
Cazier said the students will be applauded for their efforts and so will the parents.
"It's not just the kids getting the award, it's the parents working hard to get their kids to succeed."
Bordewich-Bray Elementary has a staff appreciation luncheon planned for the last day of school.
Mark Twain is planning a volunteer lunch June 7 and a field day with a barbecue on June 8.
"We just couldn't do all we do without our volunteers," said Pat Dory, office manager. "They are an integral part of our school."
Seeliger will have a yearbook signing the last week of school. All other celebrations will be done in individual classrooms and grade levels.
Fremont Elementary School will have an open house on June 1 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. June 15 will be the school's field day and June 16 is the last day of school.
Summer vacation officially begins June 8 at 12:30 for all school except Fremont but Cazier said that does not mean learning stops.
"When the school doors close, that doesn't mean education ends," he said.
