How HAPPEN Is Helping Families Find Community at Huegel Elementary

Ripples of laughter, chatters of conversation and smells of a hot cooked meal fill the halls as families gather for the Huegel African American Parent Power Engagement Network, better known as HAPPEN. The monthly meeting at the elementary school brings Black families together to build community, share resources and support their children’s success at school.

“I think bringing everyone together and forming connections with each other is really important,” Daryan Johnson, restorative justice partner at Huegel, said. “You might not know someone outside of school, but then you come into the group, and you can really know them.”

The meetings, welcoming any Huegel family interested in participating, begin with a family-style dinner, often supported by donations from local restaurants. After eating together, students and adults split into separate groups so parents can focus on conversation while children participate in activities. The relaxed setting helps families connect with one another and with staff in ways that don’t always happen during the busy school day.

HAPPEN meetings often focus on topics families want to better understand, such as reading report cards, supporting literacy at home or navigating school systems like individualized education plans for students with disabilities. 

“We want to make sure families feel safe and heard and have a space where they can talk to each other without feeling judged,” fourth grade teacher Alana Allette said. “It also helps teachers be advocates for parents, helping them understand what’s happening at school and what they can do at home.”

For many families, HAPPEN also provides something they may not have experienced in other school communities — a strong sense of belonging. Parent Joeniece Spencer has been part of the group for five years.

“I enjoy that we are able to connect with other African American families and share experiences with teachers and other parents,” Spencer said. “HAPPEN gives African American parents a safe space to talk about things their child needs or concerns.”

For staff who help facilitate the group, creating a welcoming and comfortable environment is key. Education assistant Angela Mays, who has worked at Huegel for more than a decade, said the meetings provide valuable opportunities for staff to bond with families in a different way.

“It’s nice to see the parents’ faces, and really get to know their whole family, so they’re not just an email address in an inbox,” she said.

One memorable moment with the group for Johnson and Allette was the time they held a Circle during a HAPPEN meeting, introducing parents to the Restorative Justice process used to interact in meaningful and constructive ways. Not only did it help spark conversation between parents, but it mirrored the same type of process their students might participate in at school. 

Other standout memories include outings to Badger basketball games and Legacy Academy with the Latinx family group. Last year, Johnson and Mays worked with HAPPEN to host a “Hair Day” bringing in volunteers who cut and styled students’ hair ahead of winter break.
 
The structure of HAPPEN has changed over the years, at one point having formal committee positions who hosted presentations from outside partners to share resources or provide learning opportunities for families. Looking to the future, Johnson, Allette and Mays have a goal of expanding parent-led discussions and activities.

Huegel parent Kyle Carr, who is in his second year with HAPPEN, said he sees the benefits of the group for parents and students, giving opportunities and information they might have otherwise missed.

“Parents want to be involved and do what’s best for their kids,” Carr said. “Having a group of other parents in the same boat can help give them that opportunity. It allows a group of students to know there are others like them.”