Penguin Passport: Building Connections at LPES

As a member of the Laurel Park Elementary School PTA, I’ve had the privilege of designing a program that brings joy, learning, and community spirit to our students and families. The Penguin Passport program, created entirely from scratch, is one of the initiatives I’m most proud of.

What Is the Penguin Passport Program?

Welcome to Penguin Passport, a fun and interactive way for our school families to share their adventures! Using our magical Penguin Passport, our students are transformed into penguins. We map their adventures—like collecting stamps in a passport—to see where our little penguins are exploring during track outs.

The idea for the Penguin Passport program started as a way to build a stronger connection among our school community while celebrating the diverse experiences of our families. I wanted a program that would be fun, inclusive, and educational, encouraging families to engage with each other and share their stories. Starting from scratch, I designed the program, created resources, and worked with the PTA to bring the vision to life.

How Our Families Participate

1. Take Photos: Snap some pictures of your adventures, whether it’s just the kids or the whole family!
2. Submit Your Trip: Fill out our Google Form with details about your trip. Don’t forget to upload your photos!
3. Penguin Passport Magic: We’ll add penguin masks to your family photos to create fun and unique images. Looking for a way to become penguins in real life? See the section below to print your own penguin masks.
4. See Your Travels on Our Map: We’ll plot your adventures on our school map, showcasing all the exciting places our families have explored—from places here in North Carolina, to locations across the US, and around the world!

From Concept to Reality

Creating the Penguin Passport program involved:

• Designing the passport concept to encourage exploration and engagement.
• Developing resources, including the map, penguin masks, and submission processes.
• Coordinating with the PTA and school staff to ensure the program’s success.
• Promoting the initiative to families and encouraging participation.

Program Goals

• Build Community: Share your experiences with other families and discover new places to visit.
• Celebrate Diversity: See the variety of cultures and destinations our school community is experiencing.
• Inspire Others: Your adventures can inspire other families to explore and create their own memories.

Making an Impact

The program has already made a significant impact on our students and staff. The Penguin Passport program is more than just an activity—it’s a way to build connections within our school community.

I’m grateful for the support of our PTA, teachers, and parents who have helped make this program a success. If you’re inspired by this initiative or have ideas to share, I’d love to connect and hear your thoughts. Together, we can continue creating opportunities that enrich our children’s education and strengthen our community.

Let’s keep inspiring the next generation—one travel photo at a time!