Grandparents and Special Friends Day in the Lower School was reimagined this year, thanks to all the construction happening on the Beasley section of our campus. Each family invited two grandparents or special friends for a 5:30 p.m. tea party in the South Gym. Tables were decorated with teapots, cookie trays, and tea cups. Adults enjoyed tea, students had lemonade, and everyone appreciated the delicious Biscoff cookies.
Then, it was time for Table Talk! Each table had eight to 10 tea cards with a variety of questions designed to stoke conversation and share experiences. Grandparents and special friends spoke about what school was like when they were young, and students shared what it’s like today. The conversation was lively! Some things change, and some things stay the same.
After a vibrant discussion, our honored guests settled in for a wonderful performance led by the Beasley Choir. Lower School Music Teacher Dr. Katy Nichols explained that our Beasley Choir and students would share songs from and about Africa. The first piece, Sisi Ni Moja, means “we are one” in Swahili. “We’re so happy you’re with us today,” exclaimed Dr. Nichols.
Next, the students sang Jambo. “In Tanzania and Kenya, people greet each other by saying ‘Jambo,’ which means hello in Swahili,” explained Dr. Nichols. “To be extra polite, you can add sana, meaning very much—Jambo sana!” This call-and-response song was led by brother-and-sister duo Alexander ’34 and Ellie ’36.
Banaha is a folk song from West Central Africa and is sung in the Kiluba language. Banaha means banana, and it’s a song that helped pass the time while people worked. Guests heard our choir sing it in a three-part round.
To close the evening, all Beasley students stood and sang Love Love Love by Stephanie Leavell. “We’ve loved sharing this time with you, so we’ll end with a song about love—a reminder that even when we make mistakes, there is always love,” said Dr. Nichols.
What a wonderful evening for our students and their grandparents and special friends! We’re already looking forward to next year, when Grandparents and Special Friends Day will be hosted in our new and refreshed Beasley Lower School. We can’t wait to share the new space with you!