GRANDstories

10/01/2020

This is the pen pal project my students participated in last school year! As it began pre-Covid and ended during Covid, our culminating experience was a bit different than what was planned. Instead of a traditional meet-n-greet, we had a Zoom party. My students finally got to meet their beloved pen pals, and it was one of the most rewarding days of my teaching career! Intergeneration experiences like these enrich our lives in immeasurable ways❤️

It had been a long-time goal of Susan Sherwood’s, Marketing Coordinator at Springhill, to create mor

09/11/2020

The language we use among children can be just as powerful as the behavior we model.

09/09/2020

Grandfamilies, this respite event could be just what you and your family need!

Are you a kinship caregiver searching for respite? Here’s an opportunity for you and your family. Caregivers have until September 25th to register. Please DM us if you’d like the registration link. Thanks to Bethany Christian Services for notifying us of this event!

08/18/2020

Attention: parents and caregivers of students learning from home this school year. I’ve linked a podcast episode/blog post that might be helpful. Give it a listen or read to discover how one teacher plans to make personal connections with each of his students-those returning to school and those learning from home.

I’ve experienced the ways personal connections with students foster trust and growth mindsets among students and teachers. I’ve worried how I’ll allow this to evolve during a hybrid school year, and this link helped allay my concerns a bit. I hope it helps you, too!

Making each student feel known and respected is always important. So how do you do it when teaching online?

08/07/2020

Working with local grandfamilies is like getting a daily dose of encouragement. These fun, family activities symbolize the inclusiveness, hope, and love expressed within grandfamilies. I’ve learned life in a grandfamily is better when the language of the growth mindset is a cherished way of speaking to one another.

07/30/2020

Here’s a collection of children’s books celebrating all the ways people become family.

Kid's books that show all the ways families can be different and special! Here's the best in children's books about non-traditional families.

07/29/2020

Thank you, Kinship Caregivers Network for locating this useful resource.

Written for child welfare agencies nationwide, a new Casey Foundation fact sheet explores how kinship care can support children and how agencies can support kin families during the coronavirus pandemic.

07/20/2020

GRANDfamily-a family led by one or more grandparents or great-grandparent caregivers.

The messages contained within this article echoed those I’ve been privileged to hear from Erie County grandparent caregivers. Hopefully, the information within the article helps those already in a GRANDfamily as well as, folks beginning the process.

No matter how much you love your grandchildren, taking them into your home is challenging. These tips will help you and your grandkids adjust.