Medary kindergartners spread kindness on Grandparents Day

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BROOKINGS – Seventeen students from Hannah Fraser’s kindergarten classroom were spreading cheer to residents of The Neighborhoods at Brookview on Sept. 9. The group was accompanied by Medary music teacher Amy Lease.

They arrived at 9 a.m. with a basket of “grandparent granola bars” and Grandparents Day cards for all the residents. The students sang three songs they had practiced in their classroom and in music class – “Skidamarink” and two grandparent songs to the tune of “Are you sleeping” and “You are my sunshine” – and then handed out treats and cards.

To prepare to the visit, students learned about the letter G, and Fraser’s own grandma, retired Central Elementary teacher Mrs. Johnson, read a story to the students about grandmas. 

Then, the group made cards for the “grandmas and grandpas” that live at The Neighborhoods. They practiced the songs all week with Lease.

“My students loved the whole experience – making cards, dancing and singing, and performing for others. They especially loved the bus ride to and from school with ‘bus driver Bob’ and handing out their cards they were proud they made,” Fraser said.

“I’ve tried to do something like this in the past. My first year of teaching, the residents came to Medary on a BATA bus and my class joined them singing and reading ‘Wheels on the Bus,’ but with COVID protocols, we weren’t able to return again until this year.”

Fraser said the goal for the visit was to spread kindness and smiles to others in the community. 

“We focus on random acts of kindness all year long at school. We are so thankful The Neighborhoods let us come and visit,” Fraser added.