Equipped with glitter paper, markers and LED lights, Tacoma Online (TOL) first-grader Lily Frohlich has everything she needs to make her teacher an amazing card.

Lily and her parents are one of 15 TOL families gathered at Toolbox Laboratories for a meet-up on a rainy afternoon. The space is filled with a huge array of art supplies, materials and tools, all open for visitors to use. Laid out on a table near the front are materials for greeting cards or wooden plaques for the upcoming teacher appreciation week. Another display hosts project ideas and supplies for using LED lights.

The gatherings are organized by TOL Instructional Facilitator Sarah Lane. On this day, Lane warmly welcomes students and families, giving them brief instructions and making sure each student is entered into the raffle drawing before heading to a worktable. The gathering is one of many that TOL hosts with community partners each month for students and families.

Toolbox Laboratories’ founder Aaron Goodge buzzes around the room, connecting with guests while providing assistance and creative reassurance. For the former general contractor, sharing his knowledge and skills through teaching was his dream when he opened Toolbox Laboratories in 2021.

“The partnership with Tacoma’s schools has been great,” said Goodge. “It’s a chance to share our space and programs with more kids and families.”

“We come to almost every meet-up,” shares parent Kristen Kendle. “It’s an awesome community of parents and teachers. And Toolbox Laboratories is a favorite location for my daughter. She gets open creative time.”

That feeling of community is the goal behind TOL meet-ups. Over time the meet-ups have changed in response to family needs.

“Our first gatherings were connected to summer school offerings. It was a shift to make it regularly occurring during the school year and draw in families, but we didn’t give up on the idea,” said Lane. “We rotated times and tried some different activities. Once families started showing up, it just sort of snowballed from there. It’s pretty amazing to watch and to see the positive response from students and families.”

“We've been a TOL family from the beginning,” said parent Tawana Laupati. “I love how the family activities have evolved.”

Lane works with community partners and leverages community assets to plan meaningful and educational experiences throughout the city each month. Partners include Toolbox Laboratories, Tacoma Public Library, Metro Parks Tacoma, and local museums. Leveraging things like free third Thursdays at Tacoma museums, TOL families gather monthly at museums for no cost. All activities are posted to the TOL calendar, and families are asked to RSVP.

The partnership between TOL and Toolbox Laboratories is possible in large part due to support from Tacoma Creates, a City of Tacoma funding program that supports arts, culture, heritage and science non-profit organizations. The funding is designed to increase access to cultural programs, particularly for young people. Last year, nearly 30 local cultural organizations used Tacoma Creates funding to provide classes, workshops, field trips and curriculum materials for Tacoma Public Schools students.

“We are so appreciative that Tacoma Creates helps us provide engaging, hands-on learning opportunities for our students and families. And, next year we’re looking to expand secondary meet-up opportunities,” said Lane. “I also want to further align activities to the curriculum. We’re just getting started.”

Photos by Lisa Monet