Grandparents go back to school at South

Elizabeth Bailey

Fri, May 16 2008

— Grandparents of South Decatur Elementary School came together Friday, forming rows of cars on the schoolgrounds directed by Westport Kiwanis.
For many years, the day was celebrated by all students every year, grades K through 6, but for the past few years, a new schedule has been adopted.
This year, grandparents of fourth through sixth grade students were invited to see what their grandchildren are doing in school, take photographs with the kids and share a meal. Next year, the day will cater to kindergarten through third grade.
For Marvin Mills, school custodian, it is a great opportunity to showcase the school. He was grateful for the beautiful weather, especially because it helped the gym remain more temperate. He is glad the format of the day has changed to encourage smaller numbers in the school on a given day, in part because it is his responsibility to ensure the space is ready for the number of guests, chairs included.
For the cafeteria workers, it is also positive to have the days split. Friday, they were prepared to serve a meal to 750 people, when in previous years they might have cooked for more than 1,000. It is definitely a challenge to their routine, they said, but it is also fun to switch things up for the one-day event.
Eight third-grade students were chosen to help keep the foot traffic flowing. These helpers were chosen, they said, for being “polite, nice and outgoing people.”
Two students from each third-grade class made up a crew to escort grandparents to the proper classroom and help the visitors find their way. Four of them were stationed at the entrance to the building while the other four were wandering the halls “looking for people who were lost.” At 10:30 a.m., the helpers made their way to the gym to give away door prizes of plants during the program.
The young helpers said the job helped them feel more involved in the day. Although grandparents were supposed to arrive at 9:30 a.m., many began streaming in at 9, according to Jordan Hardebeck. For a while, he said, they were all very busy, but the flow of traffic slowed around 10 a.m. Regardless of the rush, he said the visitors were nice. Landra Rigby said she escorted 48 people during the morning and was becoming “worn out” prior to the program beginning but enjoyed being involved.
Next year, the student council will be helping during the kindergarten through third grade grandparents day.

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