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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Hilltop Elementary School first-grader Cam Koenig invited his grandpa JIm Koenig to the school’s annual Grandparents Day on March 14.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Hilltop Elementary School first-grade student Cole Toot celebrated the school’s annual Grandparents Day with his grandparents, from left, Lee Dull, Diane Dull and Darla Engle on March 14.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Hilltop Elementary School first-grade teacher Mary Kozlowski read “How to Babysit a Grandma and a Grandpa” to her class and their grandparents during the school’s annual Grandparents Day on March 14.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Hilltop Elementary School first-grade student Ben Smith completed an art project with his grandmother, Linda Davis, during the school’s annual Grandparents Day on March 14.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Hilltop Elementary School first-graders, under the direction of music teacher Stephanie Summers, performed the musical portion of the school’s annual Grandparents Day on March 14.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Hilltop Elementary School first-grade students and their grandparents played games with a giant parachute while visiting physical education teacher Linda Magyar in the gym during the school’s annual Grandparents Day on March 14.
By ABBY SLANKER
Hilltop Elementary School first-grade students celebrated the school’s annual Grandparents Day by inviting their grandparents to join them for a special musical performance and a visit to their classrooms on March 14.
As the students entered the multi-purpose room to the sounds of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” to perform the musical program, they were greeted by their proud, thrilled and waving grandparents armed with cameras, phones and video cameras to capture memories of this special day. The students excitedly waved back when they spotted their grandparents.
The students were under the direction of Stephanie Summers, Hilltop Elementary School music teacher.
“Good morning and welcome to our first-grade Grandparents Day. Our first-graders have been working very hard to prepare this program for you. I’d like to thank our first-grade teachers for all their help and, of course, Ms. Summers for all her hard work and time she put into the program. Welcome to Hilltop Elementary School and enjoy the day,” said Joe Maroni, Hilltop Elementary School principal, as he welcomed the grandparents.
Maroni then turned the program over to Summers.
“Good morning and thank you for attending our first-grade Grandparents Day program. We would like to start by asking you to stand and join us in ‘The Pledge of Allegiance’ and then we will sing the Hilltop Elementary School song,” Summers said.
After that song, Summers introduced the next selection.
“One of the best things about hanging out with our grandparents is cooking and then eating. That brings us to our next song, ‘On Top of Spaghetti,’” Summers said.
In between songs, videos were shown, by class, of the students revealing why they liked their grandparents and why they are so special. Some answers were: because they play games with me, because they take me places, because they come to my hockey games, because they let me sleep over, because they give me stuff, because they make me happy, and last but not least, because they have a pool.
Next in the performance was “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” which Summers said was in honor of spring and the beginning of baseball season.
Summers then explained the next musical selection, “Baa Baa Blacksheep.”
“A visit to a farm or a petting zoo is a fun activity for families to do together,” Summers said.
Next, the students sang “Down By the Bay” to represent the weather getting warmer and dreams of picnics at the beach.
To close the musical portion of the day, Summers thanked the grandparents for coming and introduced the final song.
“Before we sing our last song, we would like to thank you for coming today. Our last song is inspired by the warm weather outing of feeding the ducks in the park. We present ‘Six Little Ducks,’” Summers said.
When they finished, first-grade teacher Charn Creed took the floor.
“What a special performance. Didn’t that melt your hearts? Our first-grade students are so special and our first-grade grandparents are so special. I’d like to single out two people who, without them, this show is not possible. Thank you, Ms. Summers. You are patient and kind and teach really cool songs. I would also like to thank Mr. Williamson, who is our behind the scenes guy who does really great things,” Creed said as Summers and Williamson were each presented a gift.
After the program, the students and their grandparents took turns visiting the art room where they completed an art project with art teacher Diane Leonard.
“Thank you for coming today. We’re glad you’re here. I know it means a lot to the children,” Leonard said.
Leonard instructed the students and grandparents to draw hands reaching to share a bouquet of flowers, inspired by Pablo Picasso’s “Bouquet of Peace.”
The students and grandparents also visited the gym with physical education teacher Linda Magyar, where they had fun with a giant parachute. The students and their grandparents made a stop the library with Hilltop Elementary School librarian/media specialist Patti Hockensmith to peruse and shop at the school’s annual book fair.
The students also took their grandparents their classroom for a tour and to visit with their teacher. The teachers read “How to Babysit a Grandma and a Grandpa” to both the children and the grandparents. The students made drawings welcoming their grandparents and to commemorate the special day.