Grandparents Day Delights the Community
On Wednesday, the pace of campus life slowed down just a smidge—but levels of joy dramatically increased—as nearly 200 grandparents came to campus for our annual Grandparents Day. Known as “the happiest day of the year,” this tradition lets grandparents go through a full academic day with their grandchildren.
Grandparents began arriving early in the morning, and their grandchildren picked them up from registration in the Class of 2018 meeting room after breakfast. They then headed off to attend classes together.
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At Millbrook, we limit enrollment to ensure that classes stay small, with an average size of 11 students to optimize engagement. However, just for today, classes were packed as grandparents enjoyed a firsthand look at how their grandchildren are being prepared for college and lives of meaning and consequence. In art class, they watched intently as students worked on producing still-life drawings—some grandparents even stepping in to offer pointers. Across the hall in the Chelsea Morrison Theater, more grandparents sat in on public speaking class. They were treated to a presentation that turned into a sing-along of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “Three Little Birds.”
Grandparents also had the opportunity to go to Community Service with their grandchildren this year. They were able to experience the service mindset that makes Millbrook so special, including getting hands-on with important conservation work at the Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo, recycling, and tending to the plant life thriving on the Farm.
After a quick break for a delicious buffet lunch at the Casertano Dining Hall, grandparents split off from their grandkids to attend the State of the School address by Head of School Jonathan Downs ’98 at the Flagler Memorial Chapel. Following a performance of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” by the Millbrook Singers, Mr. Downs warmly welcomed the visitors with grandparent superlative gifts (oldest, youngest, and most grandchildren) and a Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo pin for all military veterans in the room. Millbrook’s seventh Head of School then eloquently described the excellent state of the school, emphasizing our role in training children to become responsible users of artificial intelligence and cell phones. An unsilenced phone rang out in the sacred space at just the right moment to underscore his point.
“The irony of it all is that which was designed to keep us connected keeps us disconnected,” he said. “And if we work a little harder…I think we're going to graduate healthier, happier, smarter, more socially adjusted, and adept, better rested, more focused, critical thinkers. I want your grandchildren to have a high school experience that, quite frankly, I wish every child could have. … We've got to work hard at changing our habits. And I will wager a confident bet that your grandchildren will become even better parents than we are someday, because they've lived through this. And in the end, a better future is really what we want.”
Rounding out the day, grandparents watched fall sports practices on the fields and in Wray Gymnasium. Students were free to sign out for off-campus dinner with their grandparents after their final commitment of the day.
As always, the happiest day of the year flew by a little too quickly, but the wait for a visit from home won’t be too long. Fall Family Weekend is coming up in just a few weeks!
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM GRANDPARENTS DAY
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM GRANDPARENTS DAY
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