Grandparents Day
2018
April 10, 2018 – Oakwood Elementary School, Severn, Maryland
My three kids all grew up with solid grandparents in their
lives seen on a constant basis and for many years they had great-grandparents
in their lives that made a lasting impression and memory on their lives that I
will for always be grateful for.
My grand kids have never lived around any of their
grandparents, until this past summer when my Son moved his family out to
Maryland about 2 hours away from me. We’ve
always been coasts apart and I usually only got out to see them about once a
year, not near enough time to develop lasting memories or relationships for
sure.
But, since they’ve been out here I’ve been out there a few
times and they came out at Christmas.
Due to some serious health issues, my visits have been less and less,
but Grandparents Day at Emma’s School came up and NOTHING was going to stop me from going. I didn’t care what I had to do or how I felt,
I was going to be at that school!
I don’t remember when my kids were in school if they ever had
Grandparents Day at school, but this morning when the principal talked to us “Grandparents”
he said it was the first time in 3 years since they’ve done it and they were
very thrilled to have us there.
The school did a remarkable job at providing a rewarding
experience for the Grandparents and all the children. They made sure all the students in the
classroom experienced having a “Grandparent” even if they didn’t have one
there. In Emma’s class there were only 4
of us and I really didn’t count how many students there were in her class, but
there had to have at least been 20.
Before we were sent to our grandchild’s classroom we had a
reception in the cafeteria and they pulled out all the stops. Very organized, friendly and quite a spread
on top of all of that. Coffee, tea, fruit
juice, fresh fruit and any type of pastry you could ever want. I was very impressed. The principal talked with us briefly on some
of the “rules” and what would be taking place during the morning. It went from 8:30am to 11:00am.So, off we went at 8:30 and I was sent out on my own down a
hall to find Emma’s classroom, feeling my heart beating faster and faster as I
knew I was getting closer. I peaked
inside the door and the teacher asked which student I was looking for and
before I could even say her name I hear this loud shriek “Grandma!!!!” There was my Emma with both her hands raised
above her head and literally ran from clear across the room into my arms. I gave her a huge hug and off she went to do
what the teacher had previously told her what to do…lol
She was very obedient, listened to her teacher, always raised
her hand, was polite and helpful to other students. The first thing we did was talk about “peace”
and what “peace” means. Some of what the
students said were typical responses, but one boy asked his teacher if it had
to be a person and the teacher had a silly look on her face and I’m thinking to
myself, sure can be!
So, he proceeded to talk about how his dogs were peaceful to
each other. So sweet! My answer was countries could be peaceful to
each other, but she didn’t ask us “Grandparents” …lol
Then we had morning announcements via a video feed with two
students. One obviously was the dominant
one and the other one clearly didn’t want to be there as she threw papers off
the table. I tried not to laugh, but I
think she was nervous more than anything.
Finally, the principal stepped in and gave the announcements after the
girls gave the Pledge of Allegiance. I
was happy to see they still do that in schools and it was fun to stand and do
that in a classroom again.
So, after all that, the teacher was taking full advantage of
having more “mature” students in her classroom that day and we talked about artifacts. She came up with 5 pictures of much older
items and the students were to come up with questions that might help them
understand what that item would be. So,
Emma and I went through all 5 stations and she came up with most of the
questions (we weren’t supposed to tell them what they were, which was good
because a few I had no clue myself), but we could help them come up with some
questions.
After everyone did the 5 stations we re-grouped and talked
about what some of our questions were for each item. Then the teacher revealed what the item
was.
A Camera
A Gas Lantern – I could not even find a picture for this it
was so ancient
A washing Machine
A Radiator Heater
A phone Booth
After that activity was over I took Emma and we went and had
our pictures taken together and went to the Book Fair. Now, I remember Book Fairs very well. Brian and Mallory weren’t so keen on them,
but Meagan…. she wanted every book they had on the list. Sweet Emma had her list too and she was quite
proud of it.
We had pictures first.
I was so appreciative and thought it was so nice of the school to bring
in Lifetouch to take pictures of the Grand kids with their Grandparents. Such a wonderful treat! I HATE
having my picture taken and I had my hair cut to get bangs and the ditsy lady
cut them way to short, so I was not pleased, but Emma is adorable! So, pictures were fun, even though I hated my
own picture.
Next, off to the book fair!
Cameron had sent Emma with money ahead of time and gave me a head up and
once I saw Emma’s list I knew there were going to be some items “cut out”. I told her we needed to get something for
Tristan and she said Mommy said the same thing, so we got his first. She thought he would like a dinosaur book, so
we got that. It was kind of cool. Then on to her list.
This girl LOVES to read and I’m so happy to see it! She did get a few non-reading items, but
mostly great stuff and she loves her animals!
When we got to the check-out and the lady told us how much I turned to
Emma and I said “Honey, we have to take some things back, it’s too much” She was happy to weed out what she didn’t
want and the ladies behind the counter were actually really helpful because they
saw most of her reading level and one book she had picked out had only 3-4
words on a page and they showed that to her and she said “No, I don’t want that
one”. Phew, another one down! I didn’t want to get into trouble with Mom
and Dad.
She was overly happy with her book purchases and I was
concerned she was going to get them all home ok. They were heavy! She assured me she would be ok. So, back to the classroom and picked up where they were doing
a game with telling time with a clock and not a digital clock. Emma told me she couldn’t tell time, so I did
the first one and made her do the rest and I told her “She, you do to know how
to tell time!” “You did an excellent
job!”
After that we did my favorite part, well, it all was, but this
was fun too. The teacher took advantage
of us “mature” adults yet again and had a list of questions for the kids to “interview”
us. So, we split the class up between us
4 grandmas’ and each one took turns asking questions from the list the teacher
already made up. Stuff like, how many siblings did I have, what was my favorite
subject in school. I said spelling, Emma
proudly said “Reading” …Really???? I hadn’t guessed…lol. I’m so glad she loves to read. She sure takes after her Aunt Meagan in that
respect. Then other questions like how we spent the holidays, what
games did I play when I was there age, did I play sports, and several
others. It was fun to be interviewed by
2nd graders, I must admit!
Now, I would like to say a few things after the students in
Emma’s class and I’m sure it’s like this is most classroom across the
country. First, ALL teachers and school administrators
deserve so much more than what they receive, not just monetarily, but with
respect! I don’t know how old this
school was, but they were doing a fund drive for new folding chairs because the
folding chairs they had were the original ones to the building, folding wooden
ones and several students had gotten splinters from them.
I only, of course, witnessed Emma’s Class and her teacher had
the patience of a saint. There were some
“challenging” students and I remember some of those students in my classes in
elementary school too. I still even
remember their names! One young boy took an extreme interest in my name badge
and quizzed me to the ninth degree on what it said, why it said it and why my
picture wasn’t on it. I, of course, was
kind and patient with him and answered him sweetly and made sure he got all his
answers. As I was leaving the classroom
to go home, he ran to me and gave me a hug.
One girl, who Emma was so helpful with spoke NO English and
she was in our “Interview” activity. When it was the girls turn to ask me a
questions Emma would very nicely tell her to point and showed her on the paper
how to point to a question. So, she did,
and I answered the question. Emma then
wrote the answer and showed her how to write the answer. She did that with her during the entire activity. I was so impressed with my little
granddaughter for being so helpful and kind. I did find it distressful how this
2nd grader who spoke no English was ever going to learn English by
this method, not taking anything away from Emma being such a great helpful mind
you, just maybe someone falling through a stressed education system unable to
cope with “all” scenarios.
Then there was another frail girl in our “interview” activity
that had ratty clothes, cuts and bruises on her face and neck and made my heart
ache. She was inquisitive and asked me
questions not even on the list. She was
bright and outspoken, but not rudely outspoken, just not afraid to speak
up. She impressed me as well.
Then, of course, in all class in all the ages you have those
that don’t listen, the teacher used the counting technique many times in the
short time I was in her classroom. One
child demanded more attention than others, he happened to be my “name badge
reader”. She also answered each child
with the same tone, mild authority and proven patience, meaning the child had
to earn her patience. She would always give a warning and then start
counting. She never had to get to 5.
So, for me…. Grandparents Day if I lived across the country
again…I would fly just to be there, it was that powerful! Not just for me, but for Emma, the other students
in the classes and the faculty.
As my kids went through school, especially elementary school their
Dad and I were always active in their school, volunteering. I was always in the PTA in one school and
very active in volunteering weekly and their Dad volunteered in another school
constantly. It’s so important! It’s so valuable and the students and faculty
need our help, especially now more than ever with school safety at such scary
risk factor.
As my last few words, if you are invited to attend your
grandchild’s Grandparents Day, GO! GO!, GO!
It will mean so much to SO many people and impact there live(s) for many
years if not generations to come!
Today I am a Grandma of 4, but today I was JUST EMMA’S GRANDMA
and it felt damn good!
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