Three-year-old Helen Grewe fingered the figure in her favorite book, “The Lion King,” an adaptation from the Walt Disney film. Around her, children moved through the hall at St. Matthew’s Nursery School in a variety of activities from painting to building blocks – as if March 18 was an ordinary day at school.
Green cut-out shamrocks among the children’s art and other pictures on the walls indicated that the kids were helping to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, which had fallen the day before. But the March 18 celebration converged with a different kind of a celebration.
“It’s Grandparents’ Day,” Edna Rizzo, the school’s director, referring to one of those special and delightful interruptions of the daily routine that help bond various generations. “We wanted people to come and see just what their grandchildren did here every day.”
Older people, many with gray hair and curiously bemused expressions and struggling to sit in wooden chairs designed for kids of 3, hinted how special a day it was.
For little Helen, who frequently glanced up at her parents Robert and Anne and her grandmother Loraine, the visit seemed to make her meek as she continued to finger the image of her favorite character, the lion from the book.
“She’s being shy today,” said her father, urging his daughter to answer a reporter’s questions, although Helen only whispered. “Normally, Helen has no trouble expressing herself,” Anne explained as both parents hovered over their child. While the event has been billed as “Grandparents’ Day,” several other visitors in the group of about two dozen appeared to be parents as well.
“Parents and special friends are welcome,” said Rizzo. “We felt parents and grandparents should get to see what their children do while they are with us.”
Many of the adults arrived with the kids at 8:45 a.m., the regular beginning time during the week. And they went through the routines with the kids, from painting to acting, to even riding around the room of bicycles. Many of the elders seemed truly impressed with the events and the care the center took, especially admiring the talents of the kids who danced or performed in themes keeping with the holiday.
“I’m impressed by the fun she seems to have,” said Helen’s father, Bob, noting that his daughter, Helen, will likely return next year.
This is a new feature at the school. For 29 years, the school had catered to the area’s 3-year-olds, but next year will begin admitting 4-year-olds to the program.
Of all the activities, riding the bicycle seemed particularly popular among the kids. Helen listed this as her favorite. Three-year-old Joey Taylor also liked riding the bicycle, although when interviewed he kept his attention fixed on finishing a buttered bagel he had taken to pieces on a small paper plate.
His grandparents, Hank and Phyllis Padley, had come to help the boy and his sister Christine celebrate the holiday.
“He’s a terrific log-builder,” Hank said, although Hank also admired Tommy’s ability to get up on stage and perform. “You wouldn’t catch me doing it,” he said.
Christine, dressed in green smock to protect her clothing, dabbled paint on a makeshift canvas, part of the school’s arts program.
Assistant Director Pat Grip, who helped Christine adjust the smock, has perhaps the longest memory when it comes to the program. Grip has worked here for 26 of the program’s 29 years.
“This year, we’ve seen the children of those who I first saw coming here,” Grip said. “People from the past are bringing their kids.”
Although Helen, Joey and Christine are all from Secaucus, many of the other kids come from other communities in the area, taking part in some of the local events. In the past, kids here have had bicycle races and other events. Next month, they will conduct their annual Easter Day Parade.
“Some of the kids will even wear bonnets,” Grip said.