Some 50 years ago, my Grandpa Schulte taught me how to throw a baseball and took me to Tiger games. The seats were as lousy as the Tigers, and I never did become Aurelio Rodriguez. My Grandpa O’Connell let me drive his rusty red tractor around the farm and taught me how to play poker—much to my mother’s chagrin. Today, there isn’t a single living plant in my house, and I gave up on the idea of making a profit from poker when I was ten.
What stands out, though, isn’t the skills my grandparents tried to teach me but the unique love and support they gave along the way. Grandparents have an unparalleled ability to validate feelings, offer patience, and bring a sense of calm when life gets tough. But most of all, like a good teacher, they connect with you and let you know you matter.
This brings me to Grandfriends’ Day. At its heart, this day reflects a core value of our school: the power of connection. Hand in hand, they stepped into classrooms to see a kind of education vastly different from what they experienced as a child. An educational approach that leverages relationships and real-world experiences. They joined morning meetings that emphasized cross-generational understanding and emotional connection. They engaged in conversations about projects and fieldwork, gaining a deeper appreciation for the world our students navigate each day.
But the real magic of Grandfriends’ Day lies beyond the activities. It’s in the opportunity it gives our students to share their world with someone special. Grandfriends listened, learned, and bonded more deeply with the young people in their lives. For both child and adult, it was a moment of validation, a chance to say, “What matters to you matters to me.”
To those of you who shared your grandfriends with us today, thank you. These moments of connection remind us about the importance of connection.
With gratitude,
David
FRIDAY BLOG 
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