Ava Hancock, 6, of West Des Moines shares a book with her mom, Meredith, during the open house. Crossroads Park Principal Britt Cameron said he looks forward to the night. "I just like it because it's low key," he said.Ella Waldrop, 3, of West Des Moines reads a book during the open house at Crossroads Park Elementary School. Right: Emma Phomvisay, 6, of Clive enjoys some pancakes for dinner.Emma De Jong, 9, left, pours some syrup for her sister, Malini, 4, during the pancake dinner. The girls are from West Des Moines. TOMMY BIRCH/REGISTER PHOTOS Evonne White of Chris Cakes tosses a pancake to a student Jan. 27 during the pancake dinner and open house at Crossroads Park Elementary School in West Des Moines. White and her husband, Ted, run the business, which catered the annual event. Left: Chase Barfels, 3, of Clive goes wild over a plate of flapjacks. The open house gives parents a chance to visit with teachers and look around the school.
Ella Waldrop, 3, of West Des Moines reads a book during the open house at Crossroads Park Elementary School. Right: Emma Phomvisay, 6, of Clive enjoys some pancakes for dinner. / TOMMY BIRCH
Emma De Jong, 9, left, pours some syrup for her sister, Malini, 4, during the pancake dinner. The girls are from West Des Moines. / TOMMY BIRCH
Pancakes for dinner?
It may not be their typical choice for late-night dining, but at Crossroads Park Elementary School, it's a tradition.
On Jan. 27, students, parents, teachers and school officials packed into the school for the annual pancake dinner and open house.
"It's a good chance to have a family dinner and for parents to see what the kids are doing in their classes," event and PTA chairwoman Kim Erickson said.
During the night, parents could venture throughout the school with their kids and meet their teachers and see what they are up to in the classroom.
It may not be their typical choice for late-night dining, but at Crossroads Park Elementary School, it's a tradition.
On Jan. 27, students, parents, teachers and school officials packed into the school for the annual pancake dinner and open house.
"It's a good chance to have a family dinner and for parents to see what the kids are doing in their classes," event and PTA chairwoman Kim Erickson said.
During the night, parents could venture throughout the school with their kids and meet their teachers and see what they are up to in the classroom.
When they weren't in the classroom, they could head to the lunchroom to munch on pancakes.
Crossroads Park Elementary School Principal Britt Cameron estimated they've been serving pancakes for five years now. He said it's a good way to relax visitors.
"It's a nice, informal night," Cameron said.
For almost everyone.
Erin Judge, 6, of West Des Moines showed his dad, Mark, around. Throughout the evening, he carried around a list of things he hoped to show his dad.
Crossroads Park Elementary School Principal Britt Cameron estimated they've been serving pancakes for five years now. He said it's a good way to relax visitors.
"It's a nice, informal night," Cameron said.
For almost everyone.
Erin Judge, 6, of West Des Moines showed his dad, Mark, around. Throughout the evening, he carried around a list of things he hoped to show his dad.
"It's nice to be able to walk in here, look around and see what your kids are doing all day," Judge said.
