Following the Easter bunny’s trail
Staff Assembly, Rise School combine to put on Easter egg hunt
By Lauren Hanvey
Staff Reporter

Children scurried around the slides and ladders at the Rise School playground Tuesday in search of brightly-colored plastic eggs at the Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Staff Assembly.

Although many of the children were more interested in playing on the playground equipment than putting eggs into their baskets, 4-year-old Marshall Howard filled his in just a few minutes after he discovered the animal crackers inside.

The Easter event included an egg hunt, egg-dyeing party and pictures with teacher assistant Miranda Kelly dressed up as the Easter bunny. This year, the Rise School’s Grandparent’s Day coincided with the Easter party, so there were plenty of grandparents on hand to help out.

Kristen Adams, a Rise School teacher, said the Easter party is stressful for teachers and organizers but still a lot of fun for everyone involved.

“It’s a little bit of a crazy day, but the kids do really well with it,” she said.

Staff Assembly really enjoys doing this event because it wants to foster a strong connection between TCU and the Rise School, said Julie Graven, community service chairwoman for Staff Assembly. There were about 30 Staff Assembly volunteers coming in and out throughout the morning, she said. Graven said her favorite part of the egg hunt is getting to spend time one-on-one with the children while she helps them put the eggs into their baskets.

Adams agreed it is important for TCU and the Rise School to work together.

“I want TCU to feel like they’re a part of us and we’re a part of them,” she said.

Even though this is the third year for the event, Staff Assembly just started sponsoring it last year, Graven said. She said this is the first time for grandparents to play a part in helping their grandchildren with the hunt and that she enjoyed the new dynamic.

Dorothy Mae Busby, 3-year-old Kailey Hernandez’s great-grandmother, said this is a great play-learning experience for the children.

“It’s teaching them to associate with others through the play experience,” she said.

Busby said Kailey has had a very positive experience in the Rise School and that her developmental process has really improved.

“This is really a foundation for their wonderful little lives,” she said.

Lauren Hanvey