For the past 34 years, Community Care has encouraged children from grade 2 through grade 6 to recognize a Grandparent, Elder or a special older person in their life, as “Grandparent of the Year”.
“Every year we are amazed by the scope of stories we have received,” said Danielle Belair – Executive Director of Community Care. “Many of the honorees are indeed grandparents or great grandparents of the students however there have been a number of entries that highlight an Elder or special senior friend as well.”
“Teachers in the City and County of Peterborough have had the opportunity to use the contest as a writing assignment for their students,” added Belair. “We also recognize that not all teachers will know about this opportunity so we opening it up to public too and will accept entries until December 3rd. If your child is in grades 2 to 6 and not participating with their class you can enter their story and picture too.”
This year, Community Care has 3 categories to highlight the relationships with the special people in our children’s lives. These categories are: English language, French language, and Indigenous entries.
A committee will select one winner and one honourable mention from each group of grades; primary and junior and each category. (Primary is Grades 2 & 3. Junior is Grades 4, 5, & 6)
Community Care would like the student to include the following information in their submission:
□ What they think is important about their relationship with their Grandparent, Elder or special older person.
□ What kinds of activities are done together?
□ What kind of knowledge have they shared?
□ Describe a happy occasion the student and their nominee shared.
□ How does their nominee make them feel when you are together?
□ Why they are proud of their nominee?
□ Why the student thinks their nominee should win this award?
□ Hand drawn picture of the student and their nominee together.
Optional: A student can submit a recorded video of them reading their story. This is not required, and will not affect judging.
“This ‘SMILES ALL AROUND’ event is too important to our community to cancel,” said Belair. “It’s more important than ever to share some positive stories about important people who are in our lives.”
All entries must be received by Friday, December 3rd. Entries may be submitted by mail, Community Care, 185 Hunter Street East, Peterborough, ON, K9H 0H1, Attn: Tracy Kennedy. They can also be submitted by email to tkennedy@commcareptbo.org.
Winners will be announced in Mid-February.
For parent entry forms or more information about the Grandparent of the Year event visit https://www.commcareptbo.org/grandparentoftheyear.