With the implementation of Common Core, many parents have struggled with how to help their students in subjects such as math, but the Parent Teacher Organization at Sherman Ave. Elementary School is hoping to bridge that gap.

The PTO hosted a family math night Thursday, Feb. 19 to show parents what their children are learning in the classroom.

Sarah Koeppel, PTO president, said the PTO hosts the annual event but it could not be put on without the help of teachers participating and volunteering to be there.

“Each year we have a reading night and a math night,” she said. “It’s a way for families to come and learn what their kids are doing in the classroom.”

Parents and students were invited to come enjoy pizza and socialize with one another while learning more about math, Koeppel said.

“We had lots of family activities because our teachers are amazing and they do a great job, but if it’s not continued when those kids walk out the door it’s not going to stick,” she said.

Koeppel, an archeologist, explained to the crowd how she uses algebra and geometry in her job every day.

Another speaker, David Randolph, an engineer with the Vicksburg District Corps of Engineers, highlighted that this is National Engineering Month and explained how important math is in his field.

“If you ever learn it, you’ve got it,” he said. “And if you learn it now, it won’t go away.”

There were also presentations by Sherman Ave. faculty on how math is incorporated into other subjects: music, library, computer lab, art, science and physical education.

Koeppel said all of the activities at the family math night were in line with the common core math curriculum.

“Students and their families break out into different grade levels and teachers have fun activities for them to learn and for families to learn that they can do at home,” she said. “The teachers try to make it as fun as possible so the kids don’t know it’s math.”

Second-grade teacher Megan Carney read a book to her students while helping them to improve their clock skills.

“I think these nights help if people take the time to come and see what we have to show them,” she said. “They should be able to take these opportunities that we’ve given them to work on their skills at home.”

Carney said her parents often tell her they need supplemental stuff to continue working with their children at home and that’s the kind of stuff they can get at the math nights.

Sherman Ave. student Shiem Lott said he really enjoyed the math night.

“It’s great,” he said. “We have fun.”

His grandmother, Deloris Lott, said a lot has changed in the way they teach math.

“When I was in school it was a lot of rote memory,” she said. “You just memorized.”

A lot of the activities being taught now require the students to be very involved with their learning Deloris Lott said.

“I came here tonight so I could be a part of continuing to educate my grandson, help him with his skills and get a hands on idea of what’s going on,” she said.