It was a special day not only for kindergartners at Wantagh Elementary School on May 8, but also for the adults who were their very important guests. VIP Day is an annual kindergarten tradition with each student welcoming one family member for an hour of entertainment and refreshments.   

Each of the five kindergarten classrooms was buzzing with activity as the special guests arrived. Youngsters sang three songs for the mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles in attendance, “Happy VIP Day,” “A – You’re Adorable” and “You Can Count on Me” by Bruno Mars. Every student then read aloud a writing piece about his or her VIP. 

Students and their guests got to enjoy some quality time together over brunch. They noshed on bagels, fruit and muffins while sipping juice and water.

Teacher Jennifer Florio said her kindergartners were excited for the day.

“They look forward to it,” she said. “They like having their family in the classroom to see everything they do.”

The classroom walls were filled with student work from the past several months that the guests could look at and get a better understanding of the kindergarten experience. Teachers also discussed the successes of the school year and the progress that the students have made since that first September day.

Monica Pearl attended VIP Day to visit her daughter, Laila.

“I know how special this is for them,” she said. “I like to see her with her friends, what she’s learning and how far she’s come.”

Nolan Quinlan summed up in one word how it made him feel that his father, Robert, visited him at school that day: “happy.”