Grandparents and Special Friends Day Celebrates Lower School Students’ Loved Ones

St. Margaret’s welcomed nearly 500 grandparents and special friends to campus last week for a morning of fun-filled activities, performances and classroom visits during Grandparents and Special Friends Day.

Grandparents and Special Friends Day is one of St. Margaret’s most cherished traditions, an event that gives loved ones the chance to see the Lower School experience up close, and for students to share their everyday life at St. Margaret’s with people who mean so much to them. This year’s theme of “What Brings You Joy” inspired special artwork and musical performances for the guests to enjoy during a morning filled with happiness and love.

The morning started with breakfast inside Pasternack Field House, followed by a Chapel service and program that featured student performances from each grade level. The presentations included “I Can See Clearly Now” (kindergarten), “The 59^th Street Bridge Song” (grade 1), “Accentuate the Positive” (grade 2), “Happiness” (grade 3) and “Happy” (grade 4 & 5 choir).

In addition, the Lower School orchestra performed “How Far I’ll Go,” the Beginning Band performed “School Spirit” and the entire Lower School performed “Sing” and “Joy to the World” in front of their loved ones.

Several grade 5 students presented for the Chapel service, including Soren Olsen (pledge of allegiance), Eden Harrington (seasonal prayer), Brennan Sullivan and Vernon Edler (student welcome), Emma Kim (Bible reading), and Sarah Bendzick (the Lord’s Prayer). In addition, Reagan Ricker, Annika Tufo, Kameron Haghighat, Julia Maxey, Yumi Yeh and Nico Pavia recited the prayers of the people.

There were also remarks by Lower School Principal Jennifer Blount, who recounted her special relationship with her grandfather, and Head of School Will Moseley, who humorously presented the top 10 things grandchildren love about their grandparents to the delight of the audience.

After the service, guests visited their student’s classroom to meet teachers and friends and view projects that students have worked on.

The event was organized by the Lower School administration, faculty, chaplains and the Advancement Office, and more than 50 volunteers dedicated their time to make this Tartan tradition a big success. Thank you to the parent volunteers, student ambassadors, faculty, staff and student performers for making this an unforgettable day for these loved and cherished members of the St. Margaret’s community.