Grandparent's Day 2025
Celebrating Generations: Grandparents Day at Stella Maris Academy
At Stella Maris Academy, one special tradition brings together multiple generations in a celebration of faith, family, and learning: Grandparents Day. This cherished event offers students the opportunity to share their school experience with some of their most important role models and supporters.
Principal Julianne Blazevic explains the heart behind this annual celebration: "At Stella Maris Academy, we believe that grandparents hold a unique and irreplaceable role in the lives of our students. Their presence, wisdom, and example embody the very essence of our mission to Lead, Love, and Serve."
A Tradition Rooted in Values
Grandparents Day wasn't created simply as another school event. As Principal Blazevic shared, it serves a deeper purpose aligned with the school's mission: "Grandparents Day was established as a way to honor these important family members, celebrate their legacy of faith and love, and connect them more closely with the daily life of our school."
The celebration reflects the school's core values through multiple dimensions. "The tradition beautifully reflects our values: leading through faith as we gather together for Mass, loving through the joyful bonds shared across generations, and serving by creating meaningful opportunities for connection in the classroom," said Blazevic.
Meaningful Activities That Bridge Generations
What makes Grandparents Day special are the thoughtfully designed activities that foster genuine connections which typically includes things like:
Celebrating Mass together, “which provides grandparents and grandchildren with a powerful moment of unity in prayer and worship. It allows students to see their grandparents' faith in action", said Blazevic.
Classroom visits where grandparents participate in hands-on projects. "This shared activity opens natural conversations, strengthens bonds, and gives grandparents a window into the child's daily life at school," she explained.
Storytelling sessions where grandparents share their own experiences. "These intergenerational exchanges allow students to appreciate their family's history and see connections between past and present."
Student-led tours where "children guide grandparents through their classrooms, hallways, or campus." Principal Blazevic observes that "this role reversal—where the student becomes the guide—creates joyful pride and mutual appreciation."
The Impact Speaks Volumes
The success of Grandparents Day is evident in the enthusiastic response it receives year after year. "Grandparents consistently share how much they cherish the opportunity to step into their grandchildren's daily world," Blazevic shared. "Many remark that attending Mass, walking the hallways, and sitting side by side in the classroom gives them a deeper appreciation for both the faith-filled environment and the academic formation their grandchildren receive."
The anticipation for this special day builds months in advance. As Principal Blazevic noted, "The enthusiasm is so strong that grandparents often begin asking about the date months in advance, eager to mark their calendars and ensure they don't miss the celebration."
Looking to the Future
As this tradition continues to evolve, Principal Blazevic envisions even more opportunities for grandparents to engage with the school community. "Our goal is to continue building on the strong foundation of faith, family, and learning that makes this tradition so meaningful. We envision expanding opportunities that not only celebrate grandparents' presence on a single day but also invite them into ongoing engagement with our school community."
For the Stella Maris Academy community, Grandparents Day represents far more than a single event on the calendar. In Principal Blazevic's words, it is "more than a celebration—it is a living expression of our Catholic identity and our mission to nurture faith, family, and learning for generations to come."
