Glasscock Elementary recently opened their doors to grandparents for the school’s Grand Event -- a combination of breakfast with grandparents and the school’s book fair. Throughout the week, students at each grade level could invite their grandparents (or other family members) to join them for donuts in the school’s library and peruse the offerings at the school book fair as well.
While combining the events would clearly require extensive planning, first-year principal Jessica McCubbin knew it would be worthwhile.
“Earlier this year, I saw how the Fall Festival was a tradition here. So I knew that there would be a good turnout based on those events -- open houses, parent-teacher conferences and the Fall Festival,” McCubbin said. “Families want to be part of their children’s lives and their school. And the kids are so proud to show them their school and they want them to come in.”
According to GES Media Specialist Lee Morgeson, on the first day alone there were 150 students and adults signed up to attend, although the actual number may have been higher.
“They’ve enjoyed it,” Morgeson said. “They’ve loved coming in and it’s the first time in years we’ve been able to invite visitors during the day.”
The school had been planning the combination event for several months and whereas in the past grandparents may have been invited to have lunch with students, by including the book fair it made the visit more active.
“It’s better than just having a single event,” McCubbin said. “With this it gives them something to do with their grandchild while they’re here.”
And of course, having grandparents on hand may have also increased book fair sales.
Morgeson said other than books, the most popular items being sold this year were journals and pens.
Beyond the donuts or book fair purchases, McCubbin stressed that the importance of the event is the opportunity for the school to interact with its families.
“The kids are always so excited to introduce me to their parents or grandparents,” she said. “And it’s nice to be able to have those interactions with families.”
