Fairview/Miss Jewell hosts first Grandparents’ Day Luncheon
By WENDY SLEDD
Special to Leader-Press
For 5th grader Caden Keno and his grandmother, Debra Brockington, it was a day of firsts. Keno had not expected to see Brockington during the week, and Brockington normally is not called to the school due to her job. But, this week was different for Fairview/Miss Jewell Elementary students and their grandparents. In fact, it was a first for the school itself.
Students celebrated Grandparents’ Day this year by inviting grandparents and substitute grandparents to a special picture book-themed Grandparents’ Day luncheon, the first year that Fairview/Miss Jewell has hosted the event. Grandparents enjoyed lunch with their grandchildren and then they enjoyed picture books together reinforcing the efforts of the school to encourage family members to read together.
“I thought it was cool because I do not to get to see (my grandparents) during the week that much because they work.” Keno said.
Brockington enjoyed the lunch and said she liked getting to see the school and meeting people during the event. This was her first time seeing the lunchroom
“Meeting his classmates in the lunch line was nice, and the food was good,” Brockington said.
The response to the lunch was so overwhelming that it became a multiday event to accommodate people’s schedules and the size of the cafeteria. Over the 3-day period, 165 family members came to enjoy the meal with their students. Cafeteria worker Eileen O’Dell was happy about the large turnout.
“It was great that so many grandparents took time out of the day to have lunch with their grandchildren,” she said, beaming with pride by being able to serve this special population lunch.
The event promoted engagement with families to encourage students to have a fun experience at school. But for 3rd grader Lily Clarkson there was some serious discussion about her purpose of attending school.
“Me and my grandma talked about my grades and laughed,” Clarkson said.
Pam Smart, the grandparent of Bailee and Rhylee Dawson, said described the event at “wonderful.”
“It went so smoothly and I felt very welcome at the event,” said Smart who actually came to enjoy the event on two separate days.
For many students like Keno, they were surprised by their grandparents’ attendance. Evan Sane and William Chappell, fifth graders, both expressed shock that their grandparents were in attendance.
“I was so happy and surprised,” Sane said, grinning.
“I was surprised. I did not know that they were coming,” Chappell said.
Fairview/ Miss Jewell Elementary plans to host its 2nd Annual Grandparents’ Day luncheon next year.