Foothills Elementary School in Colorado Springs is serving up a unique recipe for team building, thanks to a creative collaboration with local favorite, Josh & John’s Ice Cream. Principal Julie Cassano sought a memorable way to unite her staff before the school year began, aiming for an activity that was both engaging and respectful of teachers’ valuable time. Her solution? Partnering with Josh & John’s Ice Cream to craft a custom ice cream flavor, a project that proved to be a resounding success.
Crafting Community: Ice Cream as a Team-Building Catalyst
Cassano explained her vision: “You always want to do something that kind of brings them together,” emphasizing the importance of staff cohesion. She approached Josh & John’s Ice Cream with the idea of developing a signature flavor for Foothills Elementary. The beloved local ice creamery enthusiastically embraced the concept, tasking the school with naming their exclusive creation.
The flavor development process itself became a team-building exercise. Cassano strategically formed teams of teachers from different grade levels, intentionally mixing educators who might not typically collaborate. This innovative approach fostered connections across the school community, breaking down traditional grade-level silos. A kindergarten teacher, Lora Tannehill, ultimately conceived the winning name: “Falcon Brain Freeze,” a playful nod to the school mascot. Notably, Tannehill’s creativity coincided with her recognition as the 2022-23 Charles W. Tewell Elementary Educator of the Year, adding extra sweetness to the victory.
Image: Teachers at Foothills Elementary School collaborate on naming a custom ice cream flavor with Josh & John’s Ice Cream, fostering team building and creativity.
“Falcon Brain Freeze”: A Flavor Sensation Born from Collaboration
Josh & John’s Ice Cream quickly brought the “Falcon Brain Freeze” to life, taking only about a week to produce the delectable flavor. Described as a chocolate mint mousse with Oreo, the ice cream has garnered rave reviews. Principal Cassano shared the positive reception: “The critiques are very positive. Our Facebook page is blowing up with parents sharing their experience, and really leaning into being ice cream connoisseurs. Some are saying the mint is just enough flavor, the chocolate mousse is so creamy!”
Brandon Dale, the General Manager at the Mountain Shadows Josh & John’s Ice Cream location, confirmed the flavor’s instant popularity, noting it sold out within days. He observed, “They all wanted their ‘teacher’s ice cream.’ They were hyping it up before they released it on Friday.” This enthusiastic response underscores the strong community connection between Foothills Elementary and its families.
Image: A pint of Josh & John’s “Falcon Brain Freeze” ice cream, a chocolate mint mousse with Oreo flavor created in partnership with Foothills Elementary School.
More Than Just Ice Cream: Community at the Core of Josh & John’s
Beyond the tasty treat, this project highlights the deep community spirit at Foothills Elementary and the commitment of Josh & John’s Ice Cream to Colorado Springs. Cassano articulated this sentiment: “I think we are a very tight-knit community. I think our families were so excited that our teachers came up with it, we are in a wonderful place where our families just love and appreciate anything our teachers do, so to be honest, the flavor could have been awful and our community would have still supported it because they have such a love for our community and staff.”
John from Josh & John’s Ice Cream encourages other schools and Colorado Springs organizations to explore creating their own unique flavors, inviting inquiries via email at [email protected]. He and Josh emphasized their long-standing dedication to the community.
Josh & John’s Ice Cream, a Colorado Springs institution since 1986, proudly embraces its role as a vital part of the downtown area. With three current locations and a fourth on the horizon, their commitment to Colorado Springs remains unwavering. Actively engaging with local schools through initiatives like Scoop Buses for school events and collaborative flavor creations, Josh & John’s Ice Cream exemplifies community partnership. Their involvement extends to events like the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and sponsorships of local teams like Colorado College hockey. This year even sees a Josh & John’s Ice Cream Scoop Bus stationed at the new Ford Amphitheater, further cementing their presence in the heart of Colorado Springs. The “Falcon Brain Freeze” collaboration is just the latest example of Josh & John’s Ice Cream‘s sweet dedication to serving and celebrating their hometown.
