Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day
Friday, September 27, 2024
On September 27, 2024, Paideia will once again host Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day. On this day, students from half day to twelfth grade get to share their school experience with someone special in their life. Paideia’s Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day has historically brought hundreds of visitors to campus to experience the joy, curiosity, and immersive learning that has been an essential part of the Paideia experience.
Thank you for submitting an RSVP. Our event schedule information will be available in the coming weeks.
* Required
Who is invited?
We have mailed an invitation to any grandparent or special friend for whom contact information has been submitted by the parents. We want to make sure that your child has someone to share the day with. A special friend can be a neighbor, an aunt or an uncle, a babysitter - anyone in their life that makes them feel loved and cared for.
If your grandparent or special friend has not received an invitation, please contact Caroline Cook at 404-377-3491 x109 or grandparents@paideiaschool.org.
Due to space constraints, Paideia parents are not invited. However, a great way to be a part of this experience is to volunteer on campus. There are many ways to pitch in and we would love to have parents join the fun. For volunteer opportunities, check the Paideia Parent Center website.
Do I need to RSVP?
RSVPs for the event have closed. We look forward to welcoming our grandparents and special friends to campus. Walk ups are welcome.
What time should I arrive?
Your schedule is dependent upon the age of your student, so there is not one start time for the day. Please see "What schedule will I follow on September 29?".
Where should I park?
Before 8:30, guests may park at any parking lot EXCEPT for the lot under the NEW Junior High. After 8:30 a.m., you may park on South Ponce de Leon Avenue in front of the school and ANY of our five parking lots including Junior High. All guests who RSVP will receive a detailed map in the mail prior to the event. Golf cart shuttles will run on the main campus from the parking lots to the school throughout the day. Shuttle buses will be available for those visitors who are visiting students on the main campus as well as the junior high.
Parking Information
FAQ
GPSF Parking
What is the easiest way to get to Grandparents & Special Friends Day?
The easiest, very best way to visit your student during this event is to have someone drop you off and pick you up from school. We regret that we can’t offer any reserved handicapped parking on our sprawling campus. You can also consider being dropped off with your student. There will be plenty of volunteers to direct you to registration.
Where do I park when I visit my Junior High student?
The new, state-of-the-art Junior High building is on Ponce de Leon which is a four-lane road. If you are visiting a junior high student, the best places to park are either under the Junior High Building or across Oakdale at St. John’s Lutheran Church. If you arrive BEFORE 8:45 am, park at St. John’s and walk across Oakdale to the Junior High. For your convenience, there will be a shuttle bus to take you to Junior High or the main campus. If you arrive AFTER 8:45 am. parking will be available directly under the JH building. Please see the list of addresses below to enter into your GPS.
Where do I park when I visit my student in Half-Day, Elementary, or High School?
We have three parking lots for those visiting Half-Day, Elementary, and High School students. Please see the list of addresses below to enter into your GPS. AFTER 8:30 am, there is limited parking available directly in front of the school on South Ponce de Leon.
What if the parking lot I chose is full?
There will be a volunteer at each parking lot who can direct you to the next, best option to park. They will also have a map to help guide you.
I understand you don’t have handicapped parking but I have limited mobility. What is my best option to park and get to registration?
For those with limited mobility, your best option is to have a friend, relative, or rideshare company drop you off directly in front of the big white registration tent on the campus green (for half-day, elementary, or high school) or the circular driveway in front of the Junior High.
I am pretty mobile but can’t walk a long way. Who can I ask for help?
We will have two shuttle buses and five golf carts available. There will be volunteers at each of the parking lots, shuttle stops, and registration. Those volunteers can ask to have a golf cart or shuttle bus sent to pick you up. Please be patient as we will have 600 guests and there is a lot of coordination going on behind the scenes. We will get to you. We promise!
- Half-day, Elementary, High School Parking Lots
- Lot A & B - 1509 South Ponce de Leon Ave.
- Lot C - 711 Oakdale Road NE
- Junior High Parking Lots
- Lot E - 1410 Ponce de Leon Ave.
- Lot F - 1368 Ponce de Leon Ave.
When and where will visitors meet their student or special friend?
Check your personalized schedule for details on when and where to meet your student. If you have questions, there are many volunteers across campus who are happy to assist.
What if I am visiting more than one child?
If you are visiting more than one child, we have carefully curated a schedule that is made for you. You will receive your schedule in the mail and might find it helpful to discuss it with the parent of your student prior to arrival. Volunteers will be available to help while you are on campus. This year, the following times are set aside for classroom visit:
- Morning half day: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
- Afternoon half day: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
- Elementary: 9:40 - 10:20 a.m.
- Junior high: 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
- High school classrooms: 1:25 - 2:15 p.m.
What schedule will I follow on September 29?
(click links below)
What schedule will I follow on September 29? one
What schedule will I follow on September 29? two
What should I wear?
Paideia’s campus is quite expansive and we highly recommend dressing comfortably and wearing suitable shoes for walking.
How does lunch work?
Lunch will be provided for all grandparents and special friends. All students must bring their own lunch as there will be no Pi Bites that day. Depending on the age of the child you are visiting, lunch begins between 11:30 and 12:45. Please note that parents are not able to join our special visitors for lunch. But, we would love to have you on campus. Please sign up to volunteer HERE.
Elementary students will eat lunch at their normal times, but are usually flexible if you are trying to coordinate times with siblings. For younger children, you will need to pick them up in their classroom. Students in the upper elementary classes can meet you at lunch if you wish. A good meeting point is near the serpentine wall behind the 1509 building.
What else can I look forward to?
Throughout the day, there will be optional programming for your enjoyment. This will include musical performances, campus tours, archival displays, student artwork and talks with Paideia faculty.
You may also visit our “marketplace” which includes:
- Library book donation sale
- Complimentary photos with your students
- Letter writing
- Paideia spirit wear sale
We are looking forward to a magical day.
Map & Brochure (PDF)
- Who is invited?
- Do I need to RSVP?
- What are the health and safety protocols around Covid?
- What time should I arrive?
- Where should I park?
- When and where will visitors meet their grandchild or special friend?
- How do visits to half day work?
- What if I am visiting more than one child?
- What schedule will I follow on September 29?
- What should I wear?
- How does lunch work?
- What else can I look forward to?
Who is invited?
We have mailed an invitation to any grandparent or special friend for whom contact information has been submitted by the parents. We want to make sure that your child has someone to share the day with. A special friend can be a neighbor, an aunt or an uncle, a babysitter- anyone in their life that makes them feel loved and cared for.
If your grandparent or special friend has not received an invitation, please contact Caroline Cook at 404-377-3491, ext. 109 or grandparents@paideiaschool.org.
Due to space constraints, Paideia parents are not invited. However, there will be many volunteers available to help our visitors get around campus. Parents that would like to be on campus that day, are encouraged to come as a volunteer. For volunteer opportunities, check the Paideia Parent Center website.
Do I need to RSVP?
YES! Due to the popularity of this event, it is important that we know you are coming. Invitations were mailed in August with RSVP instructions. Grandparents and special friends can RSVP by filling out this form or contacting Caroline Cook at grandparents@paideiaschool.org/404-377-3491 x109 to update your status.
What are the health and safety protocols around Covid?
Paideia School is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all its employees, students, parents, and guests. It is optional for students, employees and visitors to wear face coverings while inside buildings on campus. At times of increased community spread we highly recommend wearing masks indoors. We respect and support everyone's personal decisions regarding masking.
- If someone has had close contact with a person that has tested positive for COVID we recommend wearing a mask indoors and around others for 10 days following their last exposure.
- Outdoors: In general people do not need to wear masks when outdoors. At times of substantial to high transmission, it is recommended that people wear masks in large crowds or in close contact with others not fully vaccinated.
- For large gatherings or events there may be special mask requirements depending on community spread (Paideia or metro Atlanta) and the specifics of the event. Currently, we recommend masking while indoors at assemblies or other large gatherings.
What time should I arrive?
Your schedule is dependent upon the age of your grandchild(ren), so there is not one start time for the day. After we receive your RSVP, you will receive a personalized schedule for the day. You can expect your schedule to arrive in the mail 7 - 10 days before the event. (or see "What schedule will I follow on September 29?").
For guests visiting any child in morning half-day or elementary, the day will begin at 8:15 with registration and coffee. For guests visiting only children in the afternoon half-day, junior high or high school, the day will begin at 9:30 with registration and coffee.
Where should I park?
Before 8:30, guests may park at one of the three on-campus parking lots. After 8:30, you may park on South Ponce de Leon Avenue in front of the school. All guests who RSVP will receive a map in the mail prior to the event. Golf cart shuttles will run from the parking lots to the school throughout the day.
When and where will visitors meet their grandchild or special friend?
Following a program in the theater, parent volunteers will escort visitors to the classrooms of the children they have come to visit. Please note: there are two programs in the theater. Check your personalized schedule for the time of the program that you should attend.
If you are visiting more than one child, there are many volunteers available to help you find a classroom after you complete your first classroom visit.
How do visits to half day work?
How do visits to half day work?
- If your student attends Paideia for morning half day:
Your day will start on the main campus at registration and coffee between 8 and 8:45 am. You will not begin your day in the half day (1341) building.
- If your grandchild or friends attends Paideia for afternoon half day:
Your day will begin on the main campus for registration and coffee between 9:30 and 10:00.
What if I am visiting more than one child?
If you are visiting more than one child during a single classroom visitation period (please see your personalized schedule), it is wise to make plans to coordinate lunches and classroom visits. Generally, start with a visit to the youngest child's class, then visit older children. Volunteers will be available to help visitors find the classrooms.
This year, there are four times set aside for classroom visits. Visits for:
- Morning half day are between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.
- Afternoon half day are between 12:45 and 1:30 p.m.
- Elementary classrooms are between 10:00 and 10:45 a.m.
- Junior high are between 11:05 and 11:50 a.m.
- High school classrooms are between 11:50 a.m. and 12:40 p.m.
The key to planning is remembering to get back to the youngest child’s class before their lunchtime begins. You may choose to start lunch with your younger students and ask the older students to join you in the gym during their scheduled lunchtime.
What schedule will I follow on September 29?
- Guests visiting Morning Half Day Student(s)
- Guests visiting Afternoon Half Day Student(s)
- Guests visiting Elementary Student(s)
- Guests visiting Junior High Student(s)
- Guests visiting High School Student(s)
- Guests visiting Morning Half Day Student(s) with Elementary Sibling(s)
- Guests visiting Afternoon Half Day Student(s) with Elementary Sibling(s)
- Guests visiting Elementary Student(s) with Junior High Sibling(s)
- Guests with Elementary Student(s) with High School Sibling(s)
- Guests visiting Junior High student(s) with High School Sibling(s)
- Guests visiting Elementary, Junior High and High School Students
- Guests visiting Afternoon Half Day Student(s) with Junior High or High School Sibling(s)
- Guests visiting Morning Half Day Student(s) with Elementary and Junior High Sibling(s)
- Guests visiting Morning Half Day Student(s) with Afternoon Half Day Sibling(s)
- Guests visiting Morning Half Day Student(s) with Elementary, Junior High, and High School Sibling(s)
What should I wear?
How does lunch work?
Lunch will be provided for all grandparents and special friends. All students must bring their own lunch as there will be no Pi Bites that day. Depending on the age of the child you are visiting, lunch begins between 11:45 a.m. and 1:25 p.m. Please note that we have a space shortage and parents are not invited to join the lunch. We want to save our limited seats for our special visitors.
Elementary students will eat lunch at their normal times, but are usually flexible if you are trying to coordinate times with siblings. For younger children, you will need to pick them up in their classroom. Students in the upper elementary classes can meet you at lunch if you wish. A good meeting point is near the serpentine wall behind the 1509 building.
What else can I look forward to?
Throughout the day, there will be optional programming for your enjoyment. This will include musical performances, campus tours, and talks with Paideia faculty.
You may also visit our “marketplace” which includes:
- Library book donation sale
- Complimentary photos with your students
- Letter writing
- Paideia spirit wear sale
We look forward to welcoming our grandparents and special friends to campus. Walk ups are welcome.
Parents
It is very important that we know who is coming to GPSF's Day. We need to know who to expect on campus, let teachers know who will be visiting their class and order the right number of lunches. Guests will receive a detailed schedule of events between September 24-28. Please complete this RSVP form before September 17. Thank you.
