TRADITIONS, EVENTS, and special programs
There's always a lot going on at Lily B. Clayton!
Check the Calendar of Events for specific dates.
Descriptions of our traditions, events, and special programs are provided below.
5th grade students are selected by their teachers to participate in the Safety Patrol each grading period as a reward for good citizenship and to futher develop their leadership skills.
5th grade students are selected by Ms. Trent to assist with the Morning Announcements and further develop their public speaking skills.
Student volunteers in 2nd through 5th grades meet before school to work on reporting and writing skills by producing a monthly newspaper, the Clayton Bee.
Volunteers in 4th and 5th grades serve as student photographers for the annual Yearbook.
A few times each semester, after parent pickup, students and families are invited to "Stay and Play" on the playground. Refreshments are provided by the PTA. Students who arrive without their parent/guardian will not be allowed to stay and play.
Our music teacher, Ms. Trent, prepares students in kindergarten through 5th grade to perform at Grade Level Programs on evenings throughout the school year.
Students in kindergarten through 5th grade go on field trips each year. Dates are generally planned by FWISD's central administration office. Your child's teacher typically will notify you about upcoming field trips a week or two in advance.
Some teachers designate days as their Parent-Teacher Conference days so that parents can sign up for meeting slots. All teachers allow conferences at mutually convenient times by request.
Class and individual pictures are taken on Fall Picture Day (for which students should wear school uniforms), and these pictures are used for the Yearbook. Spring Picture Day provides an opportunity for students to dress out of dress code for an additional individual picture.
Students learn from visiting authors in the library throughout the year. Families may have the opportunity to purchase books to be signed by the author.
Twice each year, every Lily B. student gets to pick one or two new books of their own to take home. This program is funded by the PTA and is named “Mrs. Cook’s Books” to honor Doris Cook, a former Lily B. 2nd grade teacher and avid reader.
The Lost and Found is located in the cafeteria. The PTA Helping Hands team also occasionally puts lost items on display (e.g., during Field Day) for parents to look through. It's always a good idea to label student jackets, sweatshirts, water bottles, and other items that are easily misplaced.
The PTA's Helping Hands team works with the Counselor to improve student welfare (for example, holding uniform exchanges and providing extra clothing to the Nurse). If you have or see a need at school, contact melissa.ball@fwisd.org.
The School Store is run by PTA volunteers and includes spirit wear and other Lily B. swag. Find out more here.
Room Parents coordinate class parties in coordination with their students' teacher and assist the teacher with special classroom events. Room Parents also manage their PTA-provided funds to support class events throughout the year. Find out more here.
Dads' Club is a group of school dads and father figures who come together for various social events and school projects. Their social events are marked on the calendar, and they are also called on as-needed to assist with projects at school. Contact dads@lilybclayton.org for more information.
The Site-based Decision Making Committee team is comprised of staff members, parents, and community members as determined by the Principal. The Committee has regular meetings to discuss academics, operations, and Title I funding.
At PTA general meetings, PTA leaders give a brief update on PTA financials, events, and other news. Members also have the opportunity to vote on the PTA budget and elect PTA officers. During PTA Executive Board meetings, the Executive Board of the PTA has more detailed discussions of PTA activities and hears from school leaders. Any PTA member is welcome at these meetings.
Hungry Hive events are PTA fundraisers conducted through partnerships with local businesses. Each month a local restaurant will sponsor a Hungry Hive event for one or two nights. The restaurant will then donate a portion of the proceeds back to our PTA.
The PTA provides an annual "Teacher Fund" budget for each classroom teacher and office staffer for supplies (such as unique seating options and maker spaces), plus an additional budget for each classroom teacher for educational materials (such as class book sets, science supplies, and puzzles).
Throughout the school year, the PTA provides lunch and other treats for the teachers and school staff in a show of Appreciation.
One evening the week before school starts, students and families have an opportunity to meet their teachers and find their classrooms at Meet the Teachers Night. The PTA also has t-shirts and other items available for purchase and gently used uniforms and Lily B. shirts available at low or no cost.
At the end of their professional learning /preparation week before school starts, the PTA treats Lily B. staff members to an Annual Staff Breakfast at Old Neighborhood Grill and shares information on how our PTA can help staff members during the school year.
The Back to Public School Bash is a collaborative event hosted by several nearby PTAs featuring fun activities for kids, uniform and book swaps, free haircuts, and more.
After drop-off on the first day of school, parents are invited to gather at the Yahoo Boohoo Breakfast to share their joy or sadness at the start of another school year. It’s a great opportunity to meet other Lily B. parents.
On the first day of school, the school community gathers for a Flag Ceremony at the flagpole. Families are welcome to attend.
During the second week of school, teachers from each grade level host Grade Level Parent Meetings where they share curriculum expectations and goals for the year and answer parent questions.
The Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sweet Lily B. presentation is given annually after the first general PTA meeting of the year. It's a great opportunity for newcomers to learn more about our school from our Principal and PTA leaders. You can access the most recent presentation here.
College Colors Day is an opportunity for students to wear college shirts as a way to further encourage students to consider the goal of a college education.
Students bring their moms (or another family member or caregiver) early to school for a treat at the Muffins with Moms event.
During Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 - October 15, Lily B. celebrates with special dress days, participation in the Fiesta Patrias Parade, and artistic performances.
At Family Math & Fitness Night, school families come together to enjoy fitness and math activities. Stations include activities like yoga, math obstacle courses, and basketball.
Walkathon is our big fall fundraiser! Students have two weeks to raise money for our sweet school. Then, on Walkathon day, all Lily B. students, faculty, and families are invited to walk through the neighborhood to celebrate a job well done. Find out more here.
At Family Spirit Night, school families enjoy a free party with fun activities and food the evening of Walkathon and celebrate our Walkathon success! Please refer to this FAQ for more information.
Family Museum Night is private event held at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History during which families from Lily B. and one or two other schools come together for an exciting night of exhibits, planetarium shows, and hands-on science demonstrations.
At the end of October, students come to school dressed as their favorite storybook character for the Storybook Parade. Students may bring their book to school or borrow one from the library and will parade around campus. Families are invited to attend. No blood, weapons, or scary costumes.
The Pre-K and Kindergarten Coffee is an evening social held off-campus at which parents of kids who would be new pre-K or kindergarten students the following fall are invited to learn more about Lily B.
Students bring their dads (or another family member or caregiver) early to enjoy donuts and coffee at the Donuts with Dads event.
Reflections is an art contest facilitated by the Texas PTA and National PTA. Students can submit artwork in categories such as dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. Find out more here.
Running Club is an after-school program led by our P.E. coach in which students in 3rd through 5th grades (and younger students with run twice a week in preparation for the Cowtown 5k in February.
On Veterans Day (or another nearby date if November 11 is on a weekend), students honor veteran family members with a flag ceremony. Families are invited to attend.
The Multicultural Fair is an evening event for Lily B. teachers and families to celebrate different cultures. Families are welcome to set up a table to share food, clothing, or other items unique to their culture.
In the days before Thanksgiving Break, Dads' Club and other PTA volunteers decorate the halls of Lily B. to celebrate the holiday season.
Clayton Corner is the holiday store coordinated by Ms. Daniels and the PTA Clayton Corner Chair. Students have the opportunity to buy inexpensive holiday presents and learn about budgeting. Older grade students work the store.
Each morning of the week before Winter Break, students and staff line our halls and celebrate the sounds of the season with the very special Lily B. "Singing in the Halls" tradition. Families are invited to attend.
Students have Class Holiday Parties before Winter Break. Room Parents help plan these events.
Open House is an evening event during which teachers open up their classrooms for families to come see what their students have been learning at school.
Western Dress Day occurs during Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo season, and students are invited to wear school-appropriate western wear.
Lily B. students in 3rd through 5th grades participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The winning student advances on to the Area Spelling Bee.
For the History Fair, students create displays of people and events in history. Students in kindergarten through 2nd grades may complete class or group exhibits; students in 3rd through 5th grades may complete individual or group projects. Projects are typically due in early February.
For the Black History Month Contest in February, students may research and prepare a project on a famous Black person and compete for prizes.
The Bumblebee Ball is a free event for Lily B. girls and their dad, caregiver, or any adult who is important to them to enjoy music, dancing, and other fun activities.
On Career Day, students get an up-close look at different career paths when community members come into classrooms and share insights about their careers.
Parents, students and teachers have an opportunity to send sweet messages, called Valentine Grams, to each other on Valentine's Day. This is a fundraiser for the 5th Grade Trip.
Students have class celebrations for Valentine's Day. Room parents help plan these events.
The Pre-K and Kindergarten Meet and Greet is a daytime on-campus event for families of kids who would be new pre-K or kindergarten students the following fall to learn more about our school and take tours.
In the spring, students in 2nd through 5th grade form teams and train to compete in University Interscholastic League (UIL) academic events from storytelling to math.
The Prospective PTA Volunteer Meeting is an opportunity to learn about different PTA volunteer roles to be filled for the following year. Learn more about various PTA roles here.
For the Science Fair, students research and present findings for the district competition. Students in kindergarten through 5th grade may complete individual or group projects. Projects are typically due mid-March.
Auction is our PTA's spring fundraiser where families of Lily B. students enjoy a fun, adults-only evening while benefiting the school and bidding on Lily B. perks and activities as well as auction items. Find out more here.
Tickets to Auction Parties are sold at the PTA Auction and are hosted by Lily B. parents throughout the year. Auction Parties can be thrown for a particular grade, for adults only, moms only, or families! Find out more here.
Grandparents pick up their students and stay and play after school with a treat at the Goodies with Grandparents event.
The Bumblebee Ball Games is a free event for Lily B. boys and their mom, caregiver, or any adult who is important to them to enjoy music, ball games, and other fun activities.
For the Spring Bonnet Parade, students pick a vocabulary word and decorate a hat to represent the meaning of their vocabulary word. Students parade around the building in their hats. Participation is optional, and families are invited to attend.
Students in pre-K through 2nd grade participate in an Egg Hunt before Easter weekend.
Teacher Appreciation Week is a week near the end of the school year during which we celebrate our wonderful staff. PTA provides meals, Room Parents organize door decorations, and all students are invited to show appreciation.
Hispanic Dress Day occurs on or near Cinco de Mayo, and students are invited to wear school-appropriate clothing honoring Hispanic heritage.
At Field Day, students compete in a variety of outdoor athletic competitions organized by our P.E. coach. There are two separate Field Days, one for students in pre-K through 2nd grades and one for students in 3rd through 5th grades.
FWISD Battle of the Books is a reading incentive program for students in 3rd through 12th grades. Students read a committee-chosen list of books and compete as teams to test their knowledge of the books they have read.
The oldest bees participate in year-end Fifth Grade Activities and traditions including a Zoo field trip, chalk and bubblegum day, and a family lunch.
5th grade students are offered to the opportunity to go on the 5th Grade Trip to Austin and San Antonio for adventure and learning.
Students have the opportunity to showcase their talents at Talent Shows near the end of the school year.
On the last Monday of the school year, students enjoy a cultural arts day called "Marvelous Monday" celebrating and exploring culture and art. Community members visit and present on a variety of topics.
Students have class or grade-level celebrations for the End of the Year. Room parents help plan these events.
Pre-K students participate in a Pre-K Graduation Ceremony as they graduate to the elementary level.
Students in 2nd through 4th grade have Awards Ceremonies. Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers may choose to do something smaller for their class, but it’s not a grade-wide event in the auditorium.
5th grade students have a Graduation/Promotion Ceremony as they advance to middle school. 5th grade students are "clapped out" of school early by the other students.