Special memories made on Grandparents Day
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Destinee Angerame, 7, plays a hand game with her grandfather, Michael Rickey, during a luncheon for pupils and their grandparents during Catholic Schools Week at St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold Borough.

FREEHOLD - Grandparents rule and children at the St. Rose of Lima School, Lincoln Place, had a chance to prove it at a special event on Jan. 28.

The celebration of grandparents included a liturgy officiated by the Rev. Rocco Cuomo, which featured a group of firstgraders who explained how much their grandparents meant to them.

St. Rose eighth-graders addressed the grandparents and explained the types of community service they are providing as part of the sacrament of Confirmation they will receive this month.

According to school spokeswomanMary Donnelly, "Grandparents Day celebrated the seniors in the children's lives. The event also kicked off Catholic Schools Week, which was celebrated from Jan. 27 to Feb 1."

Following the liturgy, the grandparents were invited to visit their grandchildren's classrooms to see the work the children do and how they are learning.

While paying a visit to the St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold Borough, on Grandparents Day, Fay Horrocks shares a cookie with her granddaughter, Leah Toscano, 8. Grandparents had a chance to visit their grandchildren's classrooms and observe the educational process.

"It was a unique and touching event where the students shared memories with their grandparents that will last a lifetime," Donnelly said.

Roselynn Basso, Freehold Township, is the mother of four children at St. Rose. Basso, who works as a teacher's aide and is the PTA president, said, "We start off our celebration of Catholic Schools Week with grandparents in order to thank them for instilling those Catholic and moral values and ethics."

Basso said she had 12 years of Catholic school education and believes it was important to pass down those values to her children, Alexa, 14, Alyson, 11, Jake, 8, and Chloe, 5.

The classroom visits were a big hit with grandparents who don't normally have the opportunity to watch their little ones in a school setting.

Emil and Virginia Stefanacci, Seaside Park, spent the day with their grandchildren, Patrick, 10, and Megan, 5, who live in Freehold Township.

Virginia said it was very nice to see the children on a school day, something she usually does not get to do.

"It was wonderful to watch them in the classroom and to see how they learn and grow," she said.

Emil said he enjoyed the classroom visits, too, but said he "had a hard time sitting in those little chairs."

Collete Manning, Freehold Township, the mother of five children, four of whom attend St. Rose, brought her family to the event, including her grandfather, Michael Del Priore, 91. She said her family came to spend the day with her children, Noelle, 13, twins Grace and Michael, 10, and Vincent, 6. Baby Anthony, although in attendance, is not yet a student at the school.

Manning's father, Neal Murray, Freehold Township, said the hospitality was great and said he enjoyed the day. He especially liked the interaction between the children and grandparents in the classrooms.

Joe Manzo, grandfather to Victoria, 13, Alyssa, 11, Jacqueline, 9, and Michael 7, all students at the school, said he enjoyed listening to what the children said about their grandparents.

Lee and Eileen Elwood came from Riverhead, N.Y., to visit their grandchildren, Kayla, 9, J.P., 8, and Bridget, 5.

Lee, a retired educator, said he was impressed with the way the teachers set up their classrooms. He commented on the multi-sensory methods being used to teach the children, stating they were excellent.

Many of the grandparents said they will be happy to return to St. Rose for Grandparents Day in 2009.