LUNCH BUNCH LAUNCH: Cherokee Elementary program pairs students with parents, mentors during meal
Jan. 24—Cherokee Elementary is offering families and community leaders a chance to eat with students during school hours through its new "Lunch Bunch" program.
Principal Marissa McCoy said that before COVID-19, parents would visit and eat with their children randomly throughout the year.
"When COVID hit, we had to shut down, because we just couldn't have a ton of guests in the building," McCoy said. "Also for safety reasons, we still haven't opened up the buildings completely. We like to know who is in our building."
McCoy said staff at Cherokee Elementary wanted to bring back the option for guardians to eat with their children, but they wanted to do it in a safe and structured way. This gave rise to the idea to set aside a day once a month for students in each grade level to host their parents for lunch.
Lacie Newman attended a Lunch Bunch Jan. 24 to eat with her son, Hollis Federico. Newman said it was the first Lunch Bunch she had attended, and she loved getting to take part.
"I get a chance to interact with his class, and see other parents," Newman said.
McCoy said having the event by grade levels allows parents to have one-on-one time with the students, and the cafeteria can prepare for more food.
Josh Spencer and Magen Coward attended the Lunch Bunch with their second-grader, Aislyn Spencer. Magen said she loved having the opportunity to hang out with her daughter and even meet Aislyn's friends in a different setting.
"I think it's a good opportunity to spend more time with your kids and see what their daily life is like," Josh said.
When the idea for Lunch Bunch had started to take off, McCoy said, Bright Futures Tahlequah started talking to folks at the elementary, as they wanted to launch a similar project to have community leaders eat with students. McCoy said Cherokee then decided to collaborate with Bright Futures Tahlequah and allow community and Bright Futures members to take part as mentors.
Kristy Eubanks, Bright Futures Tahlequah events and fundraising executive member, said the group wants to inspire students to have open communication with their selected volunteers, or Lunch Buddies.
"We understand that not all families are able to attend the Lunch Bunch activities, and that leaves some children unaccompanied," McCoy said. "Lunch Buddies are scheduled to sit in as a community champions and build natural, organic relationships with the children at Cherokee Elementary."
After filling out an application and having a background check, the community member commits to a grade level and sits with students who do not have family members present.
Eubanks said intentional quality time — like the Lunch Bunch — helps build stronger relationships with children. She hopes the presence of Bright F'utures Tahlequah members will encourage students to open up and have quality conversations with their Lunch Buddies.
"Personally, as a Lunch Buddy, I love that I am making new friends," Eubanks said. "I was raised in a single-parent home. There is no way that my working father could have taken leave to come eat with me. I love connecting with the kids who wish their families could make it. Sometimes a small act of love through quality time or words of affirmation can really ignite inspiration for young people. I had adults in my community who loved on me, so I am just taking the opportunity to give back."
Relationships through the Lunch Bunch have already started to form, as one student invited her mentor to attend the spelling bee in which she was competing.
"A lot of our parents work, so they don't have the opportunity to come during that lunch time every time," McCoy said. "It's just nice for our kiddos who don't have someone come for them to have someone else show up and hang out with them while they eat."
