Maple Hill Family Math Night at Big Y

Maple Hill Elementary School invited students and their families to come to the Big Y World Class Market on Monday night for a Family Math Night. Students in kindergarten through grade four worked together with their parents to complete a math scavenger hunt throughout the entire grocery store located on Bridge Street in Naugatuck.

Math consultant Kim Jones worked in collaboration with the Big Y employees to prepare a sheet of real world math applications appropriate for each grade level. Principal Cheryl Kane and Ms. Jones greeted families at the door and directed them to the cafe area of the store.

Upon their arrival the students were given a folder with a copy of the appropriate activities for their grade by one of the Maple Hill teachers that volunteered to help out at the event. The teachers and staff, as well as many of the students, were dressed in their Maple Hill spirit wear.

Ms. Jones told me that every grade level’s hunt included a question that required students to visit the produce department for work with the NuVal score of the fruit and vegetables, as well as a question about dairy products. Kindergarten students had a question that had them hunting in the pet aisle. Students had to estimate the weight of fruit and then use the scale to weigh it.

The NuVal score was the topic that concept that elicited the most questions from both parents and students. The NuVal Scoring System is a science-based program created that empower shoppers with knowledge of a food’s true overall nutrition quality. The higher the score, the more nutritious the food.

After students completed their sheet, they turned it in so that they could be entered into a raffle. Parents were also asked to complete a survey about the event. Ms. Jones called the collaboration with Maple Hill’s community partner Big Y a “win/win.” Big Y is a supporter of education in the community and the math consultant described them as wonderful to work with on this project.

One hundred members of the Maple Hill community signed up to attend and school staff members were pleased with the turnout. The parents were not required to purchase anything in order to participate, but some families combined the event with some grocery shopping.

Throughout the evening, there were announcements that welcomed the “mathematicians” to the store and their special guests from Maple Hill.

Big Y employees offered free samples of deli meat and cheese, egg nog and baked goods. Every department manager was on hand to answer questions. Newly elected Board of Education member Jason Celozzi attended with his children and the family of BOE vice chair Glenn Connan also had a great time working their way around the store. Members of the Naugatuck High School girls basketball team were also invited by the coach Ms. Burns to come out to help.

In addition to Ms. Kane and Ms. Jones, teachers and staff members in attendance included Jodie Burns, Marilyn Lipsky, Laurie Murtha, Christine Ryan, Tainisha Lopez, Katerina Curtis, Stacey Puca, Anne Pelkey, Brian Mariano, Jennifer Connolly, Rocco Renaudo, and Maureen Grant.