The staff and teachers of Joseph DeMello Elementary believe that learning doesn’t end after hours.

Nearly 200 students and parents made it out to DeMello Elementary for their third annual Discover DeMello night on Thursday, Nov. 12.

Principal Cathy Maccini said the event is usually so well-attended that it’s more of a “parent convention.”

While students watched movies, played bingo and danced the evening away, parents were given a taste of what their students have been learning throughout the year. They also attended workshops held by teachers to show parents how to integrate learning into their kids’ daily lives.

Survey feedback from parents helped staffers develop the workshops and cater them to what the parents want to learn. The night ended with a similar survey to get a jump on next year’s program.

Families were also treated to pizza and brownies, courtesy of the Parent Teacher Organization and Shaw’s in Dartmouth, as well as a raffle with staff and community-donated prizes ranging from handmade Patriots sweaters to a brand new telescope, which was auctioned off.

After helping themselves to dinner, families attended a writing seminar, “Through the Gray Bubbles,” regarding expectations for students from grades 1 through 5. The seminar was given by staff members Lisa Reitzas, Carole Myatt and Karen Ferguson. Students typically learn how to write persuasive, narrative and expository essays.

Some samples of the students’ work were shown. One student’s persuasive essay postulated why the elderly shouldn’t drive, much to the amusement of the parents. Another student attempted to persuade his or her parents into getting a Yorkshire terrier, citing that the student would take great care of it.

“Implied: ‘I won’t be bothering you,’” said Myatt, a special education teacher.

The teachers capped off the seminar with some tips for parents on how to improve their writing skills. They encourage parents to read with their children; talk to them about their day and prompt them to explain how they felt about certain things; encourage journaling; and prompt them to explain their opinions and feelings to help broaden their vocabulary.

Several 30-minute workshops that parents could jump to and from were held throughout the evening.

“In each of these workshops, we’re trying to give the parents something they can take home to help support their child’s math development, reading development,” Maccini said.

While their kids danced away to One Direction or watched Charlie Brown specials, parents were attending workshops from common core standards, to refining number sense, to making reading fun for kids.

“We really feel that it’s a partnership with home and school, and together we can ensure the success of the children,” Maccini said.