North Greenbush school hosts virtual grandparents day
NORTHGREENBUSH, N.Y. » When the Robert C. Parker School in North Greenbush realized that COVID would prevent grandparents from making their annual visit to the campus, students, and faculty arranged a virtual visit with them.
“Grandparents are missing their grandchildren so much right now,” Head of School Laura Graceffa said.
“We wanted to bridge the separation that health and safety requires at this time,” Graceffa explained.
Grandparents participated in morning coffee meetings with administrators to learn about the school’s progressive mission and educational programs. The highlight of the two days of programming though, was the video visits to the classrooms. Students read to their grandparents, shared what they were grateful for, and gave grandparents a tour of their outdoor classroom spaces.
“Through Zoom, grandparents were able to see what these students have been doing all fall,” Jennifer Gresens, director of academics said.
“They were so excited, and the students were so proud,” Gresens noted.
Parent Janel Leone commented that her parents have only left the house a few times since COVID hit, and have been unable to see family.
“They miss their grandchildren immensely. I can imagine that being on the call with other grandparents this morning allowed a small sense of normalcy if only for a short time,” Leone
remarked.
Many families are feeling the pain of physical separation, even as they also feel safer by not being together. Grandparent Patricia Quinn joined from Iowa to visit with her three grandchildren who attend the school.
“The other grandparents were all so nice, happy, optimistic and caring. My grandchildren are lucky to be able to go to school in person,” Quinn commented.
“It’s a challenging year. The happiness and connection we brought to these cherished people in our students’ lives is a real celebration of the Thanksgiving season,” Graceffa added.