Grand Friends Day

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving we welcome Grand Friends (grandparents and special friends) to Forsyth. The highlight of our Grand Friends’ visit to Forsyth is the performances by Forsyth kids of all ages. Every grade performs for their families – this is Forsyth’s big holiday celebration.
 

FILLMORE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

After visits in the classroom with a short activity and a snack, the Pre-K children (age 3/4) and their Grand Friends moved to the multipurpose room for a charming performance with their teachers, Mrs. Pelc, Mrs. Brady, and Ms. Rallo. They showed their families some of the things they do in Morning Meeting and performed a few songs.

>> See Pre-K and Jr-K photos.

Junior-K children (age 4/5) performed on the big stage in The Rand Center. Their teachers had collected quotes from the kids about Thanksgiving and what they are grateful for, and in between songs, shared those thoughts with families in the audience. The Junior-K teachers–Mrs. Alexander, Mrs. Maglasang, and Mrs. Byrd–developed and led the program.

LOWER SCHOOL | SENIOR-K-GRADE 2

Following a warm welcome from Interim Head of School Dr. Tim Burns, music teacher Mr. Thomas led Lower & Upper School in “Music of Our Roots” – folk, bluegrass, soul, and spirituals – with performances in The Rand Center. Forsyth students in Senior-Kindergarten – Grade 2 performed “Rockin’ Robin,” “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” “This Land is Your Land,” and “Shoo, Fly.”

>> See Lower School photos.

UPPER SCHOOL | GRADES 3-6

Mr. Thomas choreographed complex Upper School performances that Forsyth kids carried out flawlessly. This performance opened with a video of the sixth graders singing “Family,” which is a longstanding Forsyth tradition. The first songs had Grades 3-5 on stage together. Then Grade 3 moved, Grades 4 and 5 remained on stage, and Grade 6 took center stage for their performance. Songs performed included “Old Joe Clark,” “I’ve Got Peace Like a River,” “Poor Wayfaring Stranger/900 Miles,” and “The Sound of Silence.” As the grand finale, all of the children performed “Touch the Sky.”

If you were in the audience you couldn’t help noticing the strong rapport Mr. Thomas has with the kids. What surprised him the most about the Grand Friends Day performances? “The kids were amazing. I was most surprised by how much the students enjoyed these songs (coming from Disney music last year to folk this year isn’t an easy sell).” He added, “I hope the kids will remember the joy and excitement they felt when singing songs from different backgrounds, styles, and time periods.” The joy was palpable and memorable for everyone in the audience.

At noon, School dismissed for Thanksgiving holiday. It was a wonderful prelude to Thanksgiving.

>> See Upper School photos.