AACS Students, Grandparents Share Special Moments

Grandparents have a lifetime of memories and experiences to share, and students at one Annapolis school learned just that at the annual Grandparents' Day.

"These relationships in the life of children are incredibly important," said Nancy Pavlischek, Annapolis Area Christian School's lower school principal. "Grandparents can nurture kids in ways that are very formative."

Pavlischek, who has served as principal for about 14 years, said Grandparents' Day predates her tenure.

"The kids love it and the grandparents love it," she said.

Fifth grade student Jolie Memmel enjoyed drawing a picture with her grandmother Wanda Murray.

"We drew Sad Sam and Angry Arnold," Memmel said with a laugh. "Granny also liked seeing the little kids."

Brooke Lewis, another fifth grade student, spent the day with Memmel and Murray because her grandparents were unable to attend the event.

"I like the art class too," Lewis said. "[Murray] allowed me to call her grandma."

For a $15 donation, the school also had the grandparents and students pose for a picture for a customized bookplate that will remain in a new library book of their choice.

Cameron Wallop, a fourth grade student, and his grandmother Susan Gilholy chose to put their photo in The Medusa Plot by Rick Riordan .

"It's going to be Cameron's dedication to the school," Gilholy said.

Other activities for Grandparents' Day, which took place Friday, included a chapel service featuring performances, story telling and classroom visitations.

"It's a very good opportunity for [grandparents and students] to connect," said Juliet Wright, a spokeswoman for AACS. "The students get to hear about what school was like for their grandparents and, in turn, are creating their own school memories."