Grandfriends Day, Thanksgiving Concert Opportunities for Gratitude
Grandparents, parents, family, and friends began arriving early—very early—on Grandfriends Day this year, November 23. Visitors were eager to secure a good spot for classroom activities, the convocation in the Trustey Family Theatre, and the Thanksgiving Concert in the Howard Gymnasium.
This special occasion on the day before Thanksgiving is always a highlight of the Shore calendar, and 2016 was no exception, with a few extra-special offerings in store during the events for grandfriends and the traditional all-school concert, which showcases every grade in a meticulouslly choreographed Howard Gymnasium assembly.
That this year would be special was clear early on, as excited families packed the Kiva to capacity. Children hurried off to help ready their classrooms for special visitors, and adults enjoyed coffee and conversations before brief addresses in the Theatre. Head of Upper School Ben Kennedy welcomed guests to Shore and introduced Shore grandparent and Trustee John Meany, who promised families they'd be delighted and impressed on their visits to their children's and grandchildren's classrooms.
Shore faculty members did not disappoint, as they welcomed throngs of guests in both Upper School and Lower School spaces. All seats were filled for activities ranging from crafts in Pre-Kindergarten to ingenious oral history recordings in Grade 5 to free-form Harkness-style discussions in seventh and eighth grades.
All too soon, it was time for grandparents, parents, and special friends to make their way to Howard Gymnasium, which was filled to capacity for the eagerly anticipated Thanksgiving Concert. Orchestrated by music teachers Jenn Boyum and Alex Asacker, the concert featured new arrangements of popular songs alongside old favorites such as "Happy Trails," performed by members, past and present, of the Acafellas.
Two heartfelt speeches made this Thanksgiving assembly one to remember. Retiring Head of School Larry Griffin, in his 30th and final Grandfriends Day address, spoke about his own family's Thanksgiving traditions, and urged students to begin building their own. Ninth grade speaker Phoebe Goltra delivered a moving reflection on the meaning of gratitude. (Read the complete transcripts.)
Then it was time for all to head for home early on this short school day to begin celebrating what Larry Griffin called in his remarks "the best weekend of the year."
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This special occasion on the day before Thanksgiving is always a highlight of the Shore calendar, and 2016 was no exception, with a few extra-special offerings in store during the events for grandfriends and the traditional all-school concert, which showcases every grade in a meticulouslly choreographed Howard Gymnasium assembly.
That this year would be special was clear early on, as excited families packed the Kiva to capacity. Children hurried off to help ready their classrooms for special visitors, and adults enjoyed coffee and conversations before brief addresses in the Theatre. Head of Upper School Ben Kennedy welcomed guests to Shore and introduced Shore grandparent and Trustee John Meany, who promised families they'd be delighted and impressed on their visits to their children's and grandchildren's classrooms.
Shore faculty members did not disappoint, as they welcomed throngs of guests in both Upper School and Lower School spaces. All seats were filled for activities ranging from crafts in Pre-Kindergarten to ingenious oral history recordings in Grade 5 to free-form Harkness-style discussions in seventh and eighth grades.
All too soon, it was time for grandparents, parents, and special friends to make their way to Howard Gymnasium, which was filled to capacity for the eagerly anticipated Thanksgiving Concert. Orchestrated by music teachers Jenn Boyum and Alex Asacker, the concert featured new arrangements of popular songs alongside old favorites such as "Happy Trails," performed by members, past and present, of the Acafellas.
Two heartfelt speeches made this Thanksgiving assembly one to remember. Retiring Head of School Larry Griffin, in his 30th and final Grandfriends Day address, spoke about his own family's Thanksgiving traditions, and urged students to begin building their own. Ninth grade speaker Phoebe Goltra delivered a moving reflection on the meaning of gratitude. (Read the complete transcripts.)
Then it was time for all to head for home early on this short school day to begin celebrating what Larry Griffin called in his remarks "the best weekend of the year."
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Students take the stage in Howard Gymnasium
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The throngs arrived early
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An exciting day for all
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John Meany with granddaughter Maeve Coletti
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Pre-kindergartners perform
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Larry Griffin with the Acafellas
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Shore Country Day School’s mission is to provide an education that inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. We seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity as we help our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.
The School admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law, and extends to them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, and loans, and its educational, athletic, and other programs.