Kingswood Academy Goes All Out for Grandparent’s Day

While many students were winding down the school week Friday afternoon, the students at Kingswood Academy were just gearing up to  host their grandparents and other special VIPs in their lives.

The annual Grandparent’s Day event opened its doors to grandparents, parents and others in the community who Kingswood students support with community service projects.

Kingswood Principal Lisa Grundon said the festivities students and parents greatly anticipate the festivities.

“Everyone looks forward to the [chorus] performances, and then the visits to the classrooms afterward,” said Grundon, adding that this program has been existence for the whole of her nine-year tenure as principal.

All eight grades participated in the choral program. 

Students wore their Sunday best and shone onstage in musical numbers that were evidence of their hard work and preparation. The the songs revolved around themes that illuminated hope, peace, fulfilling dreams and being good examples for others. 

Musical director Adrianna Bartnikova said the students rehearsed their musical numbers for two months.

“I am proud of the good job they did,” Bartnikova said.

After the musical program the students went into their classrooms for more performances of another kind, which showed off their academic progress.

Each teacher helped students prepare various displays and presentations tied into curriculum.

Fourth grade teacher Laurie Dastych and her students transformed their classroom into a medieval kingdom, complete with a king and queen, villagers, artists and weapons-makers adorned in costumes the students made by hand.

“The students prepared food, costumes and customs that correlated to a historical period,” Dastych explained. She and the students enjoyed it because it’s hands-on and “not just learning from a textbook.”

"Queen" Mary Margaret Potter and "King" Jacob John exuded as much magnificence and graciousness as William and Kate in their royal garb, as they instructed visitors in creating signet rings.

Sonia John, the king’s mother, said of her son, “He’s really enjoying his role as king. You can see how much they’ve learned from this.”

Although Potter thoroughly enjoyed being queen for a day, she modestly explained how she was chosen for the role.

“We were just chosen by drawing random popsicle sticks,” Potter said.

Irene and Richard Bartuce came to see their granddaughter Rima as she demonstrated the art of brass portraits.

“They did a really nice job here [in the classroom] and during the music program,” Irene Bartuce said.

Richard Bartuce said he enjoyed watching how the students young and old reacted to performing onstage.

Eileen Dolehide has had five grandchildren at Kingswood at various times.

“It’s just great to see the children perform and watch the way they all willingly participate,” Dolehide said. "It's a nice event."