Each spring Merton Williams Middle School in Hilton hosts a Grandfriends Breakfast in the school’s cafeteria for interested senior citizens in the district. Food is provided by Hilton CSD Food Service and is served by Student Ambassadors, Student Council members and National Junior Honor Society members. Grandfriends also enjoy displays of student work and music by the school’s performing groups.
On the placemats, students illustrated the traits of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Learner Profile, such as open minded, reflective, caring and principled. “We want our students to develop all of these capabilities and for them to become the everyday language of students and staff,” said Principal Tim Dobbertin.
Student performers were credited for displaying at least two of the traits – risk taking by performing in front of their peers and an audience, and being communicators by creating the universal language of music.
Dobbertin thanked the cafeteria staff; Claudia Engel and Carolyn Grief, school secretaries; and all of the students who helped to make the event possible.
Kaitlyn Johnson’s grandmother, Patricia Johnson, said she was impressed by how social the students are and appreciated the staff coming around and introducing themselves to the guests. She and Kaitlyn share a special bond in addition to being grandmother and granddaughter. They both perform as Grease Paint Alley Clowns. Kaitlyn has been performing as “Sweet Pea” since she was 3-1/2 years old.
The Grandfriends Breakfast also coincides with Older Americans Month.
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