Charleston Day School celebrated Grandparents and Grandfriends’ Day at the end of January. Grandfriends were invited into classrooms to see firsthand what students are learning, participate in activities, and experience the warm and engaging environment at CDS.

Students from kindergarten through 8th grade had the chance to showcase their talents through musical performances, skits, and presentations. Each grade level’s schedule included time in the homeroom, a performance, a mix and mingle on the playground, and one other special area class like science, art, or library. Grandfriends were encouraged to explore life in the classroom at CDS. In addition, guests shared their perspectives about school days when they were students. For example, second graders compared and contrasted a CDS school day to a typical school day their guests remembered having.

Grandfriends’ Day Highlights

• A Celebration of Family and Community – The event brought together students, grandparents, and special family friends. And, it reinforced the sense of community that makes CDS special.
• Showcasing Student Talents – With performances by students from kindergarten through 8th grade, Grandfriends’ Day provided time for our Scorpions to display artistic, musical, and academic skills in front of loved ones. We often mention the many opportunities students have to practice public speaking. This day provided another chance for students to hone their oratory skills.
• A Peek into the Classroom Experience – Students shared their learning experiences and classroom activities with grandfriends. Teachers engaged visitors in activities that complimented current units of study. In a fifth grade class, the group sharpened their math skills by converting different aspects of their life into fractional amounts. The guests did the same. It was so interesting to compare how many years the students have been in school during their lifetime versus the grandfriends’ time in school during their years of life.
• Boosting Student Confidence – Performing and interacting with visitors reinforced our goal to develop students’ confidence in their abilities and communication skills. Students proudly hosted the visitors in the room and shared details about classroom life and the activity for the day.
• Celebrating Tradition – Grandfriends’ Day has become a cherished tradition at Charleston Day School. Our hope is to have the day build lasting memories for families and reinforce the school’s values of respect, learning, and community.

Overall, Grandfriends’ Day highlighted the strong, supportive environment at Charleston Day School. By combining learning, fun, and family, Grandfriends’ Day was a truly meaningful occasion!