On November 14th at 2 PM, GRM welcomed Veterans for refreshments and a light bite. During their visit to GRM, they were greeted with the song " Oh Veterans We Love You" by our 3rd- and 4th-grade students and given pictures created by our 2nd-grade students. Our upper-level students worked with the Leader in Me Academic Team and 5th-grade teachers, Mrs. Knight and Mrs. Marciniak, to generate thoughtful questions to ask the Veterans over refreshments. Our 5th-grade students also wrote acrostic poems to hang around the cafeteria. At the beginning of the event, VFW Commander Carmeci presented students with poppies symbolizing remembrance and honor for those who have served and sacrificed.
The teamwork between students, staff, and buildings made this event memorable. The Leader in Me Leadership team did a fantastic job planning this event and integrating our school with our community. Our GRM student leaders hand-delivered invitations to local Veterans at the Hero’s Park ceremony on 11/11. Grades 1-4 Community Club students designed Veteran-Only parking signs and created handmade invitations. Mrs. Galvin-Bliefernich’s Family and Consumer Science classes at the JSHS baked all the goodies, the song was rehearsed and led by our music teacher, Mrs. Alvarez, and the GRM Leader in Me Culture Team coordinated the setup of the cafeteria. The Hero’s Wall was the backdrop for the event and means a great deal to all of us here at GRM. It was started many years ago by Mrs. Hazen and Mrs. Mohan, who took great pride in adding to the wall each year, and last year it passed to our 5th-grade students.
A special thank you goes to our School Resource Officer, the office staff, and Mr. Parker for their integral roles in coordinating the event, ensuring a memorable and respectful experience for all involved.
