Special recognition
William R. Buckley kindergartners celebrate loved ones for National Grandparents Day
Grandparents are rarely celebrated on their official day of recognition, but at Burton School District’s William R. Buckley Elementary, kindergarten students spent an entire week celebrating grandparents in advance of National Grandparents Day on Sept. 9.
Staci Rountree’s kindergarten class capped off the week by inviting grandparents by inviting their grandparents into their classroom Friday afternoon to celebrate their day.
Rountree has been a kindergarten teacher for 19 years, and says she loves seeing her students succeed. She welcomed grandparents with goodies like grapes, cookies and beverages while they took a seat with their grandchildren. It is part of a yearly tradition that recognizes grandparents, explained Roundtree.
“I just feel like grandparents are not recognized enough,” said Rountree, who walked round the classroom with her Ipad taking pictures of students with their grandparents. “I feel like because of grandparents, my students are who they are.”
After BSD’S first month being back to school, Rountree’s kinder class showed their grandparents some of their work. Grandparents sat down and enjoyed snacks as well as some precious time with their grandkids as they shared their words, wisdom and life stories.
Rountree’s students drew pictures of their grandparents, which were then proudly displayed on one of the classroom walls.
“According to your grandchildren this is what you look like,” said Rountree as grandparents smiled and laughed.
At one point, grandparents got to share their stories aloud with
the whole class. Most of their stories were about their experience going to school.
Floro and Mayo Rafanan were visiting their grandchild Sawyer Avery Rafanan. Floro Rafanan shared with the classroom her experiences attending school back in the Phillipines.
“Those who had the luxury to own a vehicle were very lucky, but my family and I had to walk many miles daily to get to school through rocky roads,” said Mrs. Rafanan. “Now all students get to school in cars, and their schools are not far away. It is a luxury.”
Floro Rafanan expressed her gratitude for being invited and seeing
Avery's work and seeing him in his classroom.
“It is great that someone actually takes time to celebrate the grandparents, not just the parents,” said Rafanan. “I loved coming today and meeting the other grandparents, seeing their work and who their teacher is.”
Rountree asked grandparents who had the most grandkids, and some of them shared they have more than 10. She then asked how many grandparents attended school in Porterville and about five raised their hands.
“In other classes grandparents sat in circles with their grandkids and held a panel, asked questions, shared stories,” said Kirk Stinson, vice principal at WRB Elementary. “It's just such a nice event seeing grandparents and students
share their time with each other.”
Rountree said there is a reason why she walked around with her Ipad and made sure to get students with their grandparents.
“I am doing something special for the grandparents this year,” announced Rountree. “In a week, the grandparents in attendance will receive a gift.”
By the end of the day grandparents, left with a smile, knowing more about where their grandchildren spend a big portion of their time and learning and feeling appreciated as part of their scholarly lives.
“This makes us feel more engaged in Avery's life,” said Mrs. Rafanan hugging her grandchild Avery. “It sure makes us feel important.”