BETHEL — Elementary schools in School Administrative District 44 participated in Grandparents and Special Friends Day, a tradition since 1990.

In Kirsten Meader’s first grade classroom at Crescent Park Elementary School, students were overjoyed to show their grandparents and special friends what they do every day at school.

“I was most excited about showing (my grandma) the classroom,” said Xander Vandenbulcke, as he built words using letter blocks with his grandmother, Darlene Ginsberg of Rumford Point.

Ginsberg, along with many other visitors, had several grandchildren to visit at the school.

“It’s definitely a community event,” Principal Elaine Ferland said. “It’s a way to get the community into our school, and grandparents get to see how education has changed.”

Randy Gilbert of Bethel said his oldest granddaughter is a sophomore in high school, and he’s been coming to Grandparents Day since she was in elementary school.

“It’s great to see the excitement in all their faces,” said Gilbert, who has had several grandchildren come through Meader’s classroom. “They all loved her,” he said.

For Marge and Hugh Williams of Bethel, this was their first Grandparents Day at the school. They visited their granddaughter, 6-year-old Czupryna Behan.

Behan was most excited to show her drawings, and she colored a special picture for her grandparents to celebrate their special day.

Grandparents Day began in 1990, the year the current Superintendent David Murphy was hired as principal of Crescent Park School.

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Czupryna Behan, 6, reads to her grandparents, Marge and Hugh Williams of Bethel, during Grandparents and Special Friends Day at Crescent Park Elementary School on Friday.

Xander Vandenbulcke, 6, makes words using letter blocks with his grandmother, Darlene Ginsberg of Rumford Point, during Grandparents and Special Friends Day at Crescent Park Elementary School in Bethel on Friday.