Well, it is about that time. Some of you have seen the invitations in your child's folders for the Grandparent/Special Friend Tea (if you haven't, you will soon). The tea is scheduled for Friday, October 1st. This is the day that the students invite their grandparent(s) to the school to spend lunch and another half an hour of party time with them. If your child's grandparent(s) live too far away to travel, please think of someone to invite for your child. This could be a neighbor, close friend, Aunt or Uncle. I have been at the school and the children who do not have a "special friend" in attendance really feel left out. If you can't come up with anyone for your child to invite, please make plans to attend yourself. Having someone there will make a huge difference to your child.
Here are a few helpful hints for this day:
1. If you are your child's special friend, because you couldn't think of anyone else and your parents live too far to travel, DO NOT BRING YOUNGER SIBLINGS. We don't have the space on this day. This is strictly for adults and students of DCE.
2. If your child is lucky enough to have a grandparent(s)/special friend who can attend, then you are off the hook. PLEASE DO NOT COME. I cannot stress enough how crowded this day is and we cannot hold extra parents. Each class room parent will ask for a few volunteers to work as greeters or waitstaff. If you sign up for one of those jobs, you are welcome and appreciated. If you do not sign up for one of those jobs and are not on our official volunteer list, please stay home and let your kids enjoy their grandparent(s)/special friends on their own.
3. Parking.... Wow, it is horrible. Here is my personal suggestion. You will find out from your class room parent what time your grandparent(s)/special friend needs to arrive at the school and what time they are free to leave. If you could act as a chauffeur on this day and drop them off and then schedule to pick them up at the car loop (don't leave your car, just have them meet you out front), you will both be MUCH HAPPIER. I promise. They will write tickets this day and it is not pleasant to see 70 year olds hiking 2 miles to the school because there is no parking.
4. Book Fair. The book fair will be going on during grandparent/special friend day. We, in the PTO, are not stupid and there is no one more willing to buy books for kids than their grandparents. You might warn your parents of this little shopping excursion and remind them to bring their wallet. Checks, cash and credit cards are all accepted. Proceeds benefit the DCE library.
5. Dress. Most everyone looks pretty nice on this day. The kids seem to make a special effort to dress up a bit. The grandparent(s)/special friends always look very nice. I would call it business casual for the most part. ANYTHING IS FINE! I am just letting you know how the average group dresses on this day.
A sample schedule for the day might be:
For 1st Grade:
10:30 Grandparent(s)/Special Friends arrive at school (I would drop them off 5 minutes early giving them ample time to get in the door and be directed to the right classroom).
10:30-11:00 Party in the classroom
11:00-11:30 Go to lunch with child (you will pack your child's lunch as well as the lunch for your grandparent(s)/special friend).
11:30-12:00 Your child may either take their grandparent to the book fair or the grandparent may leave and the child may to go recess with his/her class.
Ok, I think that about covers it. You will be receiving all the pertinent info from your child's room parent soon. If you have any specific questions, I advise you to contact them. They will be happy to help you with anything. If your child's grandparent(s) live far away and cannot attend, many choose to send in a letter to their grandchild. These will be posted and the kids love reading them.
This will be the last year for Macy's grandparents to come for Grandparent Tea with her. They don't do this in middle school. They have come every year since she was in kindergarten. It will be a very bittersweet moment.
Hope you have a fabulous week and that I get to see you at the PTO meeting on Tuesday.
All my best,
Lisa Johnson
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