Future Family Parades are back and better than ever!
This April, we welcomed hundreds of new families into our community and witnessed smiles across every YES Prep campus. An annual YES Prep tradition, the Future Family Parades was started as a way to celebrate and welcome all our incoming YES Prep students and their families. When families arrive at their campus, they are welcomed to a majestic drive-thru parade with warm hellos from teachers and staff who are cheering, chanting and even dancing because of their excitement to see the new faces they will be sharing the hallways with in the Fall.
For elementary families and students, they also get to participate in some amazing giveaways, take pictures in front of the SPARKS photo booth and may even be surprised to see the Chuck E Cheese mascot!
Hear from some of our YES Prep elementary principals about Future Family Parades and what they are most excited about:
Cynovia Hall, Airline Elementary (ALE)
As a Founding Leader, the Future Family Parade was a phenomenal experience. Fifteen minutes before opening the gates, families began to line up with decorated cars, balloons, cheers of excitement as they prepared to drive through the parade and be welcomed by our staff. One of the most humbling experiences was witnessing teachers show up to welcome their soon-to-be students and sharing their excitement as well. Overhearing "I'm going to be your PE teacher" and seeing the excitement on students and families' faces affirmed that teachers are the very best part of any school.
Brian Vannest, East End Elementary (EEE)
The Future Family Parade gives our kids a glimpse into the school before they start on day 1 in August. These events are full of laughter and joy because we know that our students are taking their first steps on a path to college readiness and into a school where they truly belong. This year, our Future Family Parade event even included an egg hunt! There's nothing quite like a high five from a brand new student starting PreK for the first time. If you haven’t had one, you’re missing out!
Diana Rios, Southeast Elementary (SEE)
The New Family Parade is one of my favorite events of the year! I love seeing our current families return as new families for other siblings in new grade levels, it makes me happy because they chose us one more time to partner in their children's education. For those new families who are getting their students for the first time in YES Prep SEE, it is a joy to welcome them to our Sparks family. I want every family and every student to know and feel that they belong here at our school.
Johnie Flores, North Forest Elementary (NFE)
The Future Family Parade is the first touchpoint for many of our new families. It's such a great opportunity to meet our students in such a joyful setting. It's the smiles for me!!!
Andrea Citchen, Southside Elementary (SSE)
We are here to serve the Southside community and to provide them with a school that they deserve. To see the joy and excitement on the faces of our future SPARKS during the Future Family Parade made my heart smile.
To all our new elementary families, welcome to the YES Prep family!
View all event photos from this year's elementary Future Family Parades below!