Whitehall-Coplay School District will host its first districtwide family night, scheduled for 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. May 4 at Whitehall High School, 3800 Mechanicsville Road.

Michelle Khouri, district registrar/community relations; Tatiana Berrios, supervisor of educational equity; Justin Tice, WHS science and chemistry teacher; and the ESL department worked together to create the event.

Berrios said she saw a need to recognize cultural diversity in the schools and thought a special in-person event that would allow parents, students and the community to come together would be the best way to highlight diversity in the district.

Family night is open to all community members, and everyone from new residents to older adults is encouraged to attend. The hope is that everyone will come together and interact and learn about the variety of cultures represented at WCSD.

“This is a celebration of who we are as a school district and community in the 21st century,” Khouri said.

According to Khouri, guests will receive a “passport” with seven areas of WHS they will need to visit. At each stop, their “passports” will be stamped.

There will also be tables in the cafeteria for organizations to hand out information and for restaurants to provide small food samples.

Children and adults can experience musical performances, multicultural literature, hands-on games, a photo booth and other fun activities. There will also be student presentations on a variety of cultures.

Stravino’s, Whitehall Township Public Library, Whitehall Lions Club, Whitehall Police Department, Whitehall-Coplay Press, Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. and other township officials are among those expected to be present at the event.

Khouri called the police department, mayor and other officials “strong community partners with the district. Their presence is a testament to that partnership. We are thrilled to have them participating and interacting with the guests attending the event,” Khouri said.

Khouri added that the police department and the mayor will have information on upcoming events to share with the public.

The idea for the family night formed around Christmastime, and the planning officially started Feb. 16. During the ESL department’s monthly meetings, ideas began to flow, and weekly meetings with the leadership team assured everything came into place. Berrios discussed the event with district leaders for assistance with media communication and budgeting.

Family night took two months to plan, and Khouri said she hopes there will be more planning time allotted for future events.

Tice has asked WHS students to volunteer at family night, while Khouri has asked community groups to be a part of the event, as well as spread the word to others. According to Khouri, community groups and organizations responded positively, and many signed up to participate in the event.

Groups or restaurants interested in having a table at the event or for community members who wish to share a dish can email Khouri at khourim@whitehallcoplay.org by May 2.

Khouri, Berrios and Tice hope family night will demonstrate to the community the importance of recognizing and embracing cultural diversity in the student population.

“Our school and campus are truly the centerpiece of Whitehall Township,” Khouri said. “We are hoping that this event brings together families, students and all residents of our community. This is a celebration of who we are as a school community and the community as a whole. Our hope is that, moving forward in the future, family night becomes a signature event in our community that all will look forward to in the years to come.”