Printer Friendly Version - Serving Up Branford School Families at CDR

Ready to serve up some fun (and a generous donation from Indian Neck Pizza) to school families joining Community Dining Room for Kids' Night on March 7 are (l-r): volunteers Matthew Galligan, Jacquelyn Galligan, Sarah Kelly, Courtney Rosenberg, Barbara Barrett, Syndey Feinberg and (far right) sisters Emma Reynolds and Katie Reynolds with their mom, Raeanne Reynolds, principal of Murphy School.Photo by Judy Barron

With the help of some "celebrity" school principals serving up meals and fun, Tuesday Night Dinners at Community Dining Room (CDR) are hitting the reset button this month to become Kids' Night every Tuesday in March.

Families can sit down to be served a complimentary dinner at 5:30 p.m. and stick around to enjoy entertaining, interactive kids' games and more from 6 - 6:30 p.m. CDR Kids' Night events opened March 7 featuring celebrity server and Murphy Elementary School principal Raeanne Reynolds. It was a fun way to end a very eventful day for Reynolds.

As Branford Public Schools (BPS) confirmed for Zip06/The Sound; on March 7, parents at Murphy and those at Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) learned from Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez that Reynolds will complete her work at Murphy in June and begin the 2017-18 school year as WIS principal. Reynolds will switch posts with current WIS principal Robin Goeler, who will lead Murphy School next year.

Thanks to Kids' Night event calendar-sharing support from BPS at the town's elementary schools and WIS, about 25 members of the Murphy community came to check out CDR and see Reynolds in action on March 7. Reynolds and the volunteers served about 50 community members overall, said CDR Executive Director Judy Barron.

Barron said it was time retool CDR's standard Tuesday night family dinners to encourage more families to come in, socialize, enjoy a delicious meal, share a kids' activity and learn about what CDR has to offer.

"We want to create more awareness in the community to let people know we are here, and have started with the schools," said Barron. "This night was designed for working families to come in and take a break from cooking one night. It helps their budget and takes away some stress. They just get to relax."

Working with Hernandez, Barron sat down earlier this year to develop ideas on ways BPS could get involved to help spread the word about CDR.

"In February, we put the (Tuesday Night) activity calendar out to the Pre-k through Grade Four schools; and the first Tuesday Night after it was distributed, our numbers more than doubled," said Barron. "Then, March 7th was our first launch for the principal night. We're really excited to see who will come visit their principals."

On Tues. March 14, Sliney Elementary School principal Margaret-Mary Gethings will help CDR serve a festive St. Patrick's Day "green" meal. Tuesday March 21 will be hosted by Tisko principal Jim O'Connor (activity includes a Puppet Show) and, on March 28, WIS's Goeler will serve up meals followed by a family game night.

Reynolds brought her two young daughters with her to help serve dinner and dessert on March 7. CDR's first Tuesday dinner of the month is always Pizza Night, thanks to a generous, on-going donation of many years from Indian Neck Pizza. Families also enjoyed side salads whipped up by the CDR kitchen volunteers and baked goods for dessert. Reynolds and her daughters topped the night by hosting a family Bingo game. Reynolds said she was impressed not only with the "well-oiled machine" that is CDR, but with what families can get out of participating in a Tuesday Night dinner at CDR.

"It's a great way to bring the community together and an opportunity for families to meet each other," said Reynolds. "It can take some pressure off, when necessary, not even out of need but just from the hustle and bustle. Why not take a night off and be able to join together here?"

Reynolds added she and Barron also did some brainstorming on March 7, as the principal quickly saw some other ways to help introduce CDR to school families. The dining room is in the Patricia C. Andriole Volunteer Services Center at 30 Harrison Ave.

"I think we've got to get the word out about what's here. There's not only a dining room but also a Clothing Bank and a Food Pantry," said Reynolds. "Why not not host PTA meetings here, or bring some school events here, so parents can see this very open, warm and friendly place?"

Once the month of March ends, Barron said the hope is to continue the momentum that's building with the help of BPS to help Branford families keep CDR in mind.

"We hope to see this continue, and have it lead into the upcoming Tuesday Night Family Dinners on the Green this summer. Last summer, we toggled with [BPS food service provider] Chartwells and hope to continue and increase that program as well," said Barron. "Then, starting in the fall, we'd love to have teachers come in for Tuesday Night Kids' Events."

Barron said there are many reasons why a family might want to come to CDR, and Tuesday Night dinners highlight quite a few of those reasons.

"We want to bring awareness that Tuesday Nights are kids' nights that are really designed for working families, whether it's just to take the pinch off or just to take a break and come in during the week to socialize, and give the kids an activity to do," said Barron. "Having one night that you don't have to cook is nice! Once they learn about CDR, they may want to support us, they may want to volunteer, or they may want to come and get a meal once a week; whatever they choose."