The Power of Tradition: GRANDPARENTS' AND SPECIAL FRIENDS' DAY
Te very first 1979 Grandparents' Day! Over 90 attendants 1980 Musical theme: 1993 "Sounds We Found" (using homemade instruments)
"Grandparents' Day is fun because you get to see your grandparents. The best part is you get to be loved." (1982 ) Lower School student
G
randma and Grandpa. Grandy and Poppa. Nana and Pa. Gigi and Bubba.
Geemaw and Geepaw. Noni and Popi. Oma and Opa. Tese titles oſten vary across cultures, locations, and even shiſt based on preference or levels of creativity. In addition to clever names like Banana and Papaya I discovered an account of a grandmother who opted to be called Beautiful – how clever? Another unknown suggests the outlook that “Grandparents are just parents with extra frosting.” No matter which title you use, I believe it’s fair to say that most of our lives have been affected by these individuals.
Te tradition of Grandparents’ Day began at St. Anne’s-Belfield School in 1979 and was an instant success. Te following year, over ninety attendants traveled from all over to join students for a day of entertainment and information. As a paper clipping describes, “Aſter coffee and snacks, students warmed to the occasion by enthusiastically displaying their talents in gymnastics, music and dance to an admiring audience.” Coinciding with Grandparents’ Day in 1980, guests enjoyed an impressive Lower School Science Fair featuring 130 exhibits.
Typically, two parents coordinate the event, aided by a team of approximately seventy parent volunteers, and the planning process begins months in advance. With their help, this special event has evolved into one of the most-anticipated days of the school year. Since 2009, attendance has remained over 400 with guests representing almost thirty states and traveling from as far as the UK, Ireland, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, New Zealand, and South Korea. In addition
20 – PERSPECTIVES/SUMMER 2011
to recognizing these distant-travelers, St. Anne’s-Belfield School memorabilia is awarded annually to grandparents who hold the longest attendance record. Tis year’s winner had attended sixteen consecutive years of Grandparents’ Days, and the longest standing record is nineteen years!
While there have always been a few stand-in guests over the years during situations when grandparents could not attend, these guests were unofficial until 2003 when the term “Special Friends” was formally incorporated into the title. Bringing a “Special Friend” allows all students the opportunity to embrace the full meaning of the day.
Te overall purpose of Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day is believed to be two-fold: to share the pride of our school while presenting a musical or dramatic performance, and also to serve as an educational experience for the children. As Andrew Brennan, Head of the Lower School, reflects, “Te children are expected to use good manners while looking aſter a guest for a few hours in a safe environment. By 4th
grade the children are pretty good
at doing this!” Pre-School students spend the morning showing guests around their classroom, talking about favorite activities, and introducing school pets. While Lower School students also share their classroom projects, they tend to offer more of an interactive environment. Trough games, reading, and asking interview questions, students are expected to showcase their social skills while serving as proper hosts to their guests. Tis year, in Ms. Dean’s 2nd grade class, students asked grandparents and friends to reflect upon life for them as
Musical theme: 1994 "Disney Spectacular"
By Danielle Meyer Musical theme: 1997 "Festival of Freedom"
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