Gurney Elementary opened its doors to a new event this fall with the inaugural “Gurney Loves Grandparents” event. Designed to celebrate the important role grandparents and special people play in children’s lives, the gathering gave students and their loved ones a chance to connect, learn, and share a joyful moment together at school.
Over water and goldfish crackers, students and their guests filled the room with conversation and laughter. Children shared a poem honoring for the occasion and led their grandparents in a “Turn and Talk”, a strategy used in Gurney’s English language arts classes to encourage discussion and reflection on literature. The simple activity gave grandparents a glimpse into daily classroom practices, while giving students the joy of sharing and connecting with their loved ones.
Principal Patrick Carpenter reflected on the importance of the event: “This was a truly special day. Seeing our students connect with their grandparents and special people inside their school environment reinforces just how important those relationships and feelings of belonging are for all. We are so grateful for the community connections this event created.”
The events closed with smiles, hugs, and a shared sense of pride in the Gurney community. By blending family connections with classroom experiences, “Gurney Loves Grandparents” not only celebrated relationships but also showcased the school’s commitment to creating meaningful moments of learning and belonging.
