In St. Eustatius, Adventist School Honors Grandparents on Special Day
Police Officer Roberto Hodge helps his granddaughter Nia-Jaye Carty (right) and other of her classmates during an arts and crafts activity at the St. Eustatius Seventh-day Adventist Primary School in the North Caribbean Islands. The activity was part of the school’s annual event celebrating national Grandparents day, where 35 grandparents were honored their dedication as caregivers on Sep. 12, 2021. [Photo: Courtesy of St. Eustatius Adventist School]
As more and more grandparents have become primary caregivers for their grandchildren in society today, the Seventh-day Adventist Primary School in the Caribbean Island of St. Eustatius hosted a program to honor their dedication. It was an event that saw more 35 grandparents visit their grandchildren’s classrooms and engage in arts and crafts, on Sep. 10. 2021.
“We wanted to use the opportunity to honor grandparents and encourage students to show love, compassion and care,” said La Verne David-Duggins, principal of the school. The day corresponded with the National Grandparent’s Day, which is celebrated on the second Sunday in September. It was a time of enjoyment for the children and an occasion for bonding, she added.
Jeneida Hooker (right) enjoys making a greeting card with her grandmother Carol Jack who is health director on St. Eustatius [Photo: Courtesy of St. Eustatius Adventist School]
To accommodate these families, the grandparents were allowed to choose a classroom with one grandchild, and the remaining grandchildren joined that classroom, explained David-Duggins.
Ilsa Duggins (right) enjoys her grandchild with Aqeel Duggins make paper sandals during an arts and craft activity. [Photo: Courtesy of St. Eustatius Adventist School]
Nia’Jaye Carty wore a big smile while she made a pair of sandals with her grandfather Roberto Hodge, who is the chief of police on St. Eustatius. Similarly, St. Eustatius Director of the Department of Health, Carol Jack, helped her granddaughter design a greeting card.
Micah Hook and his grandmother Anica Marsdin work together on a paper craft in the classroom. [Photo: Courtesy of St. Eustatius Adventist School]
St. Eustatius Seventh-day Adventist Primary School is the only elementary school operated by the church among four schools on the island. The school was established in 1997 and enrolls some 80 preschool to six grade students every year.
La Verne David-Duggins contributed to this article.