Virginia’s Family Code Night 2017
26 October, 2017
CodeVA was pleased to partner with Family Code Night, the Richmond Main Library, & the Slover Library in Norfolk to launch Virginia’s Family Code Night. Family Code Night is a whole-school family event that ignites coding and computer science learning at any elementary school, and in any family. Virginia, which has the highest density of computer science jobs in the nation, has long been a national leader in making K-12 computer science education a priority and became the first state in the U.S. to pass computer science education reform in 2016 where every student receives access to computer science education, to include coding from K-12. Virginia’s Family Code Night was launched in Richmond and simultaneously in Norfolk, via livestream. We were pleased to have former middle school science teacher, and wife of Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor Pam Northam in attendance to offer a welcome and to meet with families. 
The program uniquely engages children K-5 and their parents or guardians in the delightful experience of doing their first hour of computer programming together, in an early evening program. Family participation is a simple but profound innovation in this event – it changes the trajectory of a child’s computer-science learning, and the family’s appreciation and support for that learning.
The result is a memorable school experience, a powerfully mobilized school community, and new family, social, and school momentum and direction to drive future computer science learning.
Pioneered by the California non-profit MV GATE, Family Code Night has been conducted for thousands of kids and parents at schools throughout Marin County, California, and now at schools nationwide, including Virginia!
Now, with the generous support of national program sponsor Capital One, every parent and school in America is being invited to bring Family Code Night to their school. As part of President Obama’s Computer Science For All initiative, MV GATE has created an Event Kit that shows any school, organization, or parent volunteer exactly how to put on the event, from invitations to posters, Program script to handouts, and much more. To receive your kit and help Virginia remain the Digital Dominion click HERE!
