November 2006
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November 22, 2006
Grandfriends IV
The Craig lower school celebrates its fourth annual Grandfriends' Day with a record attendance.
The day before Thanksgiving marked the fourth annual “Grandfriends Day” at the Craig Lower School in Mountain lakes. Over 70 family members -- grandparents, aunts and uncles, godparents, and even parents spent the morning at the school with the students. The group gathered first for a continental breakfast and then dispersed to the classrooms where they were treated to a morning of classes. Some of the children read original short stories, other groups were treated to a Trivial Pursuit game focusing on Thanksgiving questions, and one grandparent decided to buy a Smart Board for his business after witnessing a math lesson taught on a Smart Board.
After classes, the grandfriends assembled in the auditorium for a presentation by the Jazz-a-Ma-Tazz group, a live, interactive show for young people that introduces jazz in a fun way. Hayes Greenfield, the bandleader, had the kids and their families learning about the different sounds of the instruments and the meaning of improvisation. Hayes and his band jazzed up familiar songs and the families were invited to join in through “call-and-response, scatting, singing, interpretive sound and movement.” “When I get done with them they leave chanting, singing and knowing that jazz is alive and well," notes Greenfield on the Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz website.
One grandfather, Alec Benn who lives in New York, commented on the day by saying, "It was wonderful reliving one's own childhood in such a pleasant way." Charles Armbruster from Whiting, NJ, remarked that it was "an excellent opportunity for students and their grandparents to enjoy a wonderful day together."
November 20, 2006
Craig Can Do!
Craig lower school conducts its annual canned goods drive.
A convoy of vans followed Mr. Aquino's truck on the way to Boonton Social Services to deliver canned and packaged foods just before the Thanksgiving holidays.
Each year, the lower school student council under the supervision of Mr. Aquino and Ms. Chavanon, contact Ms. Lucille Rockis, Director of Social Services for the town of Boonton, to arrange the canned food drive. Notices are sent to all the homerooms and the collection begins. On the designated day of delivery student council members load the boxes of food onto Mr. Aquino's truck and the students follow behind. The boxes are unloaded at the Town Hall in Boonton for delivery to needy families during Thanksgiving.
The canned food drive is one of many efforts on the part of the Student Council to help students become aware of and serve the needs of the community through outright gifts or fund-raising efforts.
Student Council members are shown loading Mr. Aquino's truck, assembled outside the Community Center in Boonton, and gathered at their final destination.
