WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Dozens of grandparents and grandchildren spent the school day together in West Hartford.
"They are such a huge part of our students' lives," said Frances Morris, associate director of alumni & parent relations at Kingswood Oxford.
Wednesday marked the annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day at Kingswood Oxford for middle schoolers.
“We have about 170 grandparents and special friends here today," Morris said. “Our students pour their heart and soul into this school and for them to share it with the people who love them the most is just a special thing for us to see.”
Grandmas and grandpas sat in for classes and took part in different activities with their grandkids.
“What grandparent doesn’t love their grandchild but to get to see them in their regular environment every day is something that a lot of other grandparents don’t get to have,” Ann Sciglimpaglia, principal of Kingswood Oxford, said.
Grandparents are increasingly taking on more active roles in kids' lives, with childcare becoming more expensive and many parents out of the home, in the workforce.
“We do a lot of fun things and I actually took care of [my grandson] until he started school, so this means a lot that I can spend time with him,” Maria Cerejo said.
Grandparents Day is a way for not just the student but also the school to say thank you for the important role grandparents play in a child's development.
“Our students rely on their grandparents for all kinds of things,” Sciglimpaglia said. “We have lots of grandparents picking up right at the end of the day. They’re at their soccer games.”
The school also uses the day to encourage grandparents to share stories from their lives with their student.
"He gets to know a little bit more of us. We just assume he already knows all this stuff,” Elise Helmecki, a grandparent, said.
“They grew up in the golden age, where life seemed better back then. It's complicated now,” seventh grader Charlie McAlenney said.
Helmecki wouldn’t miss an event like this for the world.
“When it’s your grandchildren, you have the opportunity to stand back and really enjoy all of their accomplishments and to help them achieve what they want to achieve, that you weren’t able to do with your own kids,” Helmecki said. “They keep you young. They’re fun and smart!”
Charlie would add one more adjective to the list: loved.
“It shows that they love me and I can be comfortable around them,” McAlenney said. “I can talk to them about stuff and to know that they’re always here when I need something…. It feels good.”
Bridgette Bjorlo is an anchor/reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at bbjorlo@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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