Foster grandmas comforting at Happy Valley Primary

Photo by Photo by Diane Knapik

A GRANDMOTHER’S LOVE — Grandma Wanda Cox reads a story to Happy Valley Primary kindergarteners Ray Davis and Miracle Fraumane as part of the Foster Grandparents Program.

“I tie shoes, give hugs and put Band-Aids on owies,” stated Shirley Van Selow with a big grin.

But first, she meets the school buses every morning, rain or shine, to greet the children as they disembark. Van Selow is one of five Golden Umbrella Foster Grandparents who bring joy to the young children of Happy Valley.

Sharing a lifetime of wisdom is the vision of the Foster Grandparent Program. The requirements to become a foster grandparent are fairly simple.

The person must be over 60 years of age, can volunteer an average of 20 hours per week, have a limited income and most of all, must love children.

The five grandmas of Happy Valley Primary are a very special group. Wilma Magaldi is in her 20th year at the school. She is appreciated for her sense of humor and spends most of her time in a first grade classroom.

The others, Gerri Harvey, Wanda Cox, Belinda Pomerleau and Van Selow spend their time with kindergartners. The foster grandparents receive pre-service orientation as well as monthly training. The Program offers them an annual physical exam, supplemental insurance, a small stipend, assistance with meal and transportation costs and, most of all, the joy of knowing they are making a difference in the lives of children.

The grandmas of Happy Valley Primary are easily recognized by their bright blue vests and their easy-going attitude.

Whether in the library or on the playground, they can be easily spotted comforting, counseling or just enjoying the small groups of children that surround them. Wanda Cox has been in the program for seven years.

“I get a new group of children every year, which really makes it lovely,” she remarked.

Cox proudly lists some of her responsibilities including working one on one with kindergartners in learning their letters and sounds.

“I go to recess with them and eat lunch with them, too,” she said, but quickly added, “I don’t have to; I just want to.”

Van Selow recalls a little boy who was in her classroom last year. “He was very shy and spoke only Spanish. I worked with him and by December he was speaking English and he had taught me some Spanish,” she added with a laugh.

The children aren’t the only ones who benefit from the foster grandparents.

Kindergarten teacher Bev Silva summed it up by saying, “The grandmas are instrumental to our program and we couldn’t do it without their help.”

For some children, these ladies are the only grandmas they will ever know. Hopefully, they will always remember that kindly person who brushed those tears away and gave them a reassuring hug. And those grandmas treasure “their kids” in the same way.