She was, in the spirit of Fall Family Fun, dressed as none other than the Big Bad Wolf.

She, and the students’ families, sometimes face an uphill battle.

“It’s like pulling teeth to get them to write,” Burrell said. “I had one student write about their baby sister. They wrote two things.”

She’s battling the quick and easy pollution of social media communication.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Butler Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Tonia Burrell talks to a group of her students’ families Wednesday afternoon during the Fall Family Fun event. The family members learned about how the students learn in class and how they can help their students learn the same way at home.

“We have kids write LOL,” she said. “We’re writing, not texting.”

She’s kind of tough on her students.

“They write one sentence and say my hand hurts,” she said. “I tell them ‘no it don’t, go sit down.'”

After working with the family members, Burrell had her students come in to join. A reading assignment was on tap.

Halee Elsberry, 10, read with her mom, Megan Elsberry.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Megan Elsberry reads with her daughter, Halee Elsberry, 10, during the Butler Elementary School Fall Family Fun event Wednesday afternoon.

She selected a short story called “Riding for Freedom.”

“It’s about all these young women risking their lives to get freedom.” Halee Elsberry said.

One of the main goals of the learning sessions is to instruct the family in the same learning technique used in the classroom.

“I think that it helps,” Megan Elsberry said. “The parent gets on the same level as the kids. The technique is the same as the classroom.”

It might help Halee Elsberry in her future, She said she plans on becoming a teacher herself. Her first problem to solve in adulthood?.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Among the many fun and interesting costumes Wednesday afternoon at the Butler Elementary School Halloween parade was an inflatable T-Rex.

“Naughty students.” she said.

Kyree Rochon, 9, was reading with his grandmother, Claree Presswood.

She’s proud of him.

“She (Burrell) says he’s one of the best readers in the classroom.” she said.

She thinks the sessions are a good program as well. She has no trouble getting him to read at home.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Trigg Jakeman, 6, a kindergarten student at Butler Elementary School, works on getting his pirate’s eye patch adjusted Wednesday before the annual Halloween parade. Jakeman opted to go without the patch.

“He loves to read.” she said.

Carmen Banwart, Butler Elementary School principal, said the family engagement sessions not only teach families how to help their student, but also help them feel connected to the school. She said there are three sessions scheduled for this year. The next session, timed with the winter musical, will focus on math.

She said the feedback from families has been positive.

“They loved the activities,” she said. “It gives them something tangible and the kids love to have them here.”

Jennifer Lane, communications director for the Fort Dodge Community School District, mirrored that.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
What does Miss Frizzle, a yellow crayon, a princess, a super hero and a convenience store clerk have in common? On Wednesday afternoon, they were all part of the annual Butler Elementary School Halloween parade.

“The families really appreciate the opportunity.” she said. “We give them a tool kit, they feel welcome.”

Following the learning sessions, the students put on their costumes on and enjoyed the school’s annual Halloween parade.