This past Saturday grandparents had the opportunity to chime in on discussions about “Hamlet,” graph trigonometric functions and admire artwork with their grandchildren for the 29th annual Grandparents’ Day.
Three hundred and thirty grandparents and 100 other family guests registered for this year’s event, according to Cara Mia Bruncati, Director of the Parent Fund.
“This is the highlight of my year, and we visit every year. I can’t tell you how much I love coming here,” said Jean Martone, grandmother of Emily Carrolo ’13.
“Grandparents play such a special role in a young person’s life, so I am thrilled that every year the entire Andover community is so willing to welcome them to campus to give them the opportunity to experience what life is like on Andover Hill,” wrote Bruncati in an e-mail to The Phillipian.
Andover raised $79,546 from the Grandparents’ Day event. Bruncati said that although the school appreciated the generous donations, fundraising was not the focus of the event.
In addition to attending their grandchildren’s first and second period classes, visiting grandparents had the chance to participate in specially planned events to honor several grandparents affiliated with the school.
Following lunch, Head of School Barbara Chase hosted a dedication for the renaming of the Den to Susie’s, in appreciation of a Campaign for Andover gift from Louis Elson ’80, P’12, ’15.
During the Student Showcase, featuring Azure, Andover’s female a cappella group, the Yorkies, Andover’s male a cappella group, and Gospel Choir, Chase honored John and Barbara Robinson, GP ’08, ’12 who will be stepping down from their positions as Chairs of the Andover Grandparent Society in June after seven years of service.
Many grandparents appreciated and enjoyed the opportunity to sit in on classes with their grandchildren.
Katie Kreider ’14 said, “My grandfather really enjoyed chemistry class. Mr. [Temba] Maqubela [Instructor in Chemistry] and my grandfather were bickering about the Red Sox and the Yankees rivalry the entire class.”
Katherine Tobeason ’14 said that her grandmother loved her Japanese class, even though she did not understand the language at all.
Grandparents also had the option to tour either the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology with Donald Slater, Peabody Museum Educator, or the Addison Gallery of American Art with Brian Allen, Director of the Addison Gallery.
After classes ended, Jeffrey Marzluft, Associate Director for Instructional Services at the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library (OWHL) and Paige Roberts, Academy Archivist, spoke to the grandparents about the resources at the OWHL.
Grandparents also had the opportunity to watch athletic events in the afternoon.
“It is always heartwarming to see students escorting their grandparents around campus, showing them where they live and learn as well as introducing them to their friends and teachers. This year’s amazing weather seemed to make the day even more special for everyone who attended,” wrote Bruncati.
