One of the most respected groups in our school community is our grandparents, and it is an important annual tradition that we set aside time to honor them. In a typical year, we reserve a special day for grandparents and grand friends to visit the school, listen to musical performances, and visit their grandchildren’s classrooms. Since, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to gather in person to honor our grandparents this year, we have reimagined the event and have been honoring our grands throughout this week via social media. Also, grandparents will be mailed an envelope of special greetings.
I have been celebrating Grandparents’ Day for many years, but I never fully appreciated the importance of the event until I myself became a grandparent. Grandparents serve a very special role in raising children, having a unique ability to make meaningful, lifelong impressions on their grandchildren. It is difficult to describe adequately, but every grandparent knows what I’m talking about. I have yet to meet a grandparent who doesn’t share the same feeling. Just the thought of my now 4-year-old grandson sending me a gift or a note brings tears to my eyes. Grandparents and grandchildren share a special bond, and it is important that we as a school help to keep that bond strong.
So, thank you, grandparents! It is your values and your belief in the importance of a challenging education and strong character that fill our classrooms today. Those values and beliefs that you instilled in your children are being passed down, and without each of you, James River would not be the thriving school it is today.