Dames Ferry Elementary School recently hosted Grandparent’s Day after not having the event for two years, helping to create fond memories for their students and grandparents.
Melody Nebel, instructional coach at Dames Ferry, said her favorite thing about Grandparent’s Day was seeing all of the grandmas and grandpas on campus with smiling faces, enjoying themselves with their grandchildren. She said seeing them interact with their grandchildren was something magical.
“Since National Grandparents Day was Sept. 11, we decided to have a breakfast for grandparents on Sept. 9 and 12 at Dames Ferry,” she said. “We let the students have some nice, quality time to eat breakfast, then enjoy their grandparents for a while. They could go to the book fair to look at books, and just enjoy spending time together.”
She said Grandparents Day and being with grandparents regularly is important, because children need their support and love in their lives. She said anytime they can have the grandparents at Dames Ferry Elementary School is a great and special time.
“We value our grandparents and letting them know they are wanted here at the school for such special occasions in their grandchildren’s lives. The students really enjoy having their grandparents here. The faculty enjoys having the grandparents here as well, because of the looks on the faces of the kids and grandparents. They’re just so happy,” Nebel said.
Trisha Ash, grandma of Brayden and Brody Ash, said spending Grandparent’s Day with her grandchildren at Dames Ferry Elementary School was a perfect day. She said her favorite part was getting to eat breakfast together, since they don’t get to do that much.
“We liked this opportunity to spend time with our grandkids in a school setting and take them to their classrooms since we usually don’t get to do things like this,” Ash said. “Dames Ferry is a super school, and we’re glad they are able to attend such a great school here in Jones County.”
Brayden Ash, a third-grade student at Dames Ferry, said his favorite thing about his grandparents is that they do a lot of fun stuff with him he likes to do. He said he was proud to show off his classroom and schoolwork to his grandparents. He said he likes Dames Ferry Elementary, because he gets to play at recess with his friends.
“Since it was Grandparent’s Day, I was excited to not have much work to do. Grandparent’s Day is important, because they are a part of your family, and they are just as important as your parents. They help take care of us,” he said.
Nebel said even though this event might have seemed like something simple, it was a big deal to have the grandparents back in the school after not allowing people inside for so long. She said the students were able to show off their classroom and the school, which made things extra special those two days.
The instructional coach said Grandparent’s Day at Dames Ferry Elementary School is a way for the students to make great memories with their grandparents. She said many of them will remember Grandparent’s Day even after they are grown up and look back on it fondly.
“I think it’s important for the kids to share what is going on inside the classrooms with their grandparents,” Nebel said. “Plus, the excitement of showing what they are learning motivates the students to continue to work hard. The grandparents get to see how education has changed, too. It was a great time for everyone involved.”
