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Grandfather Ron Chang was on loan to first-grader Madeline Sault at Sacred Hearts Academy's grandparents' day. Sacred Hearts
thanks grandfolksThe students use the day to extend
their mahalos to relativesBy Lisa Asato
lasato@starbulletin.com"Her grandparents couldn't come so my granddaughter asked me, 'Can I put you on loan to her?' I said OK," Chang said.
For Chang, it was a day to spend with his 6-year-old granddaughter, Victoria, who told him, "I wrote something special for you in the classroom," he said. "How can I miss that?"
At the all-girls' school Friday, more than 600 grandparents were expected to attend the day honoring grandparents for being there for the girls.
"Not only are grandparents picking them up and taking care of them but many of them are also helping pay the bills," said Principal Betty White, adding that about 30 percent to 40 percent of the grandparents help the young parents pay for tuition and in some cases pay the entire cost. "When grandparents are helping the young parents put up the money to put them through school, there's no greater thing."
White said that when the program started eight years ago, she was reluctant about the high school girls being ashamed of their grandparents. But when the time came, she said, the students were escorting their grandparents by the arm.
The day was set aside for entertainment, speeches, and free breakfast or lunch for the grandparents. Grandparents who could not attend sent letters and gifts.
Sixth-grader Cara Tsutsuse told the assembly her "grampy" was the "best toy a child could have" for getting down on all fours, reading to her and singing songs.
"It's very nice of the school to help children honor grandparents," said Jeanette Fraga, who has been coming to grandparents' day for five years with her husband, Abel. "It's very special to us, and I think it's very special to our grandchildren."