'I think you’re really going to like what you’re about to hear'

A bayou folk story harmonized by a chorus of croaking frogs and chirping crickets enchanted Northside Elementary parents, despite being more than two thousand miles from Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin swamplands.

Outside the school, an audience of Northside parents navigated snow and cold but once inside the cafeteria, they were greeted by zany musician Kelly Thibidoeaux, a Louisiana native and 40-year veteran fiddle player. Like a backwoods maestro, he guided every elementary student through a rousing fiddle recital, using their innate sense of rhythm.

“By utilizing this understanding, I am able to achieve amazing results in a very short period of time,” Thobidoeaux explained.

His Subaru hatchback jammed from top to bottom with instrument cases, Thibidoeaux travels to schools teaching the non-musical how to play fiddle, along with an enthusiastic dose of Louisiana mystique and culture. 

But there’s a twist: he had three days to get every student, grades K-6, up to speed and able to play a basic concert for parents.

“My program opens that door and allows everyone to enter into the world of music,” Thibidoeaux explained. “Music is valuable in and of itself.”

Facing an audience of parents, some standing at the back and others seated in front (perhaps a few harboring doubt that a kindergartner could learn to fiddle in three days) Thibidoeaux applauded the kids’ outstanding behavior and focus.

“I think you’re really going to like what you’re about to hear,” he said

How did a Louisiana fiddler and a small, rural North Idaho elementary school cross paths? From Farmin Stidwell to Southside, and everywhere in between, parent support organizations provide innovative experiences, annual events, music, the arts and community projects that kids love and depend on.

Northside’s Parent Teacher Organization funded Thibidoeaux’s four-day clinic and, based on the approving smiles, the program was enjoyed by all. While Thibidoeaux was born in New Orleans and raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, he now lives in Oregon as a professional fiddler and front man for the swamp rock band Etouffee.

Northside PTO president Hayden Ahner said, “This program is something we felt passionate about because the whole school would be involved. Every kid gets to learn something. When we can involve every kid, it means a lot.”

At Southside Elementary, Parents in Education (PIE) coordinates a variety of different fundraising events that, among other things, pay for playground equipment and classroom technology. And throughout the year, PIE ensures that its teachers are appreciated with gifts and food, especially when they stay late for conferences. 

Staff appreciation events. Classroom holiday parties. School-wide seasonal decorations. Field trip costs. Papa Murphy’s Pizza nights. Back-to-school night support. Bounce houses for field day. Farmin Stidwell’s PIE organization is outstanding and much appreciated by staff and administrators.

Meanwhile, Brooke Travnicek, Sagle’s PTA president, said, “We use all the money raised for teachers and the school, for things like school supplies, class field trips, incentive programs for good behavior, teacher appreciation items like lunches or small gifts. Basically, anyone in the school can make a fund request for what they may need, and PTA can take care of it.” 

The group also hosts two events per year for Sagle families: Monster Mash, a Halloween carnival with a DJ and pumpkin carving contest; and Spring Carnival, an event of fun games, prizes, bingo and a petting zoo. Funds are used to make large purchases, like playground equipment or to support Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math activities.

Hope Elementary’s parent organization is conspicuously involved, with an extensive list of collaborative activities and events. There are multiple family nights, Sweetheart Bingo, Staff Appreciation Week and Christmas Concert with Hope School. The following list highlights some additional activities:

• Spirit Days: Hope students walk in a group at the CFHS Homecoming parade.

• Missoula Children's Theater.

• Boy's and Girl's night (Growth & Development) with Hope School.

• Big people PAWs incentives for a staff member, one each semester.

Back at Northside, after bending ears with a few Louisiana tall tales, like the infamous Rougaroux (a mythical Cajun creature), Thibidoeaux led duets with any student willing to come up and play his 200-year-old fiddle — he strums a guitar while offering encouragement to each child. Some kids volunteered twice!

“That was so nice,” he said after a duet performance, offering a genuine smile of pride.

As a parent of a second grader, Ahner described the experience as “super cool,” adding “it was so great of him to bring up each student to show their parents what they learned. When somebody takes the time to teach an instrument, it really has an impact on some of these kids.”

Darren Svan is the community relations liaison for the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

    After three days of workshops, Northside Elementary second graders helped musician Kelly Thibidoeaux perform for parents. The school's PTO funded the program that introduced kids to Louisiana fiddle music and folktales.
  

    After three days of workshops, Northside Elementary second graders helped musician Kelly Thibidoeaux perform for parents. The school's PTO funded the program that introduced kids to Louisiana fiddle music and folktales.
  

    Northside fifth graders volunteered to perform a duet with Kelly Thibidoeaux, a professional fiddle player who put on a three-day workshop. Every grade level hosted a performance for their parents.