Grandparents Day

Grandparents Day 2026 – The GRAND Tailgate!

The precise schedule will vary by grade level and will be emailed once you have registered.

We are looking forward to a day filled with fellowship, classroom visits, student showcases, outdoor activities, and special memories. We anticipate nearly 175+ grandparents and grandfriends visiting campus and it requires a lot of planning on the staff and faculty, so we ask for your grace as we prepare to make this a truly special day for you.

Arrival Time: 9am or later, to enable our morning school drop-off traffic to clear out.

What to Bring

• Portable, easy-to-carry lounge chairs (one for your grandchild is fine too) and shade from the sun (umbrella or canopy).

• A small cooler with drinks, snacks, or lunch. 3 food trucks will be available: Smoothie bowls, BBQ and Pizza. Food truck lines may be long during peak times.

• Layers! Tennessee weather can be unpredictable, so we recommend dressing comfortably and in layers. You are welcome to represent your favorite sports team!

Our Hospitality Tents

After checking-in at the ‘check-in’ tent, you are welcome to bring your chairs and belongings to your grandchild’s grade-level hospitality tent. These tents will serve as the primary gathering location throughout the day and the starting point for many activities. If you are visiting multiple grandchildren in various grades, expect some slight shuffling from one grade level tent to the other, although the walk will be minimal.

Weather Plans

We will provide a weather update approximately 24 hours in advance only if conditions require us to modify or cancel any portion of the event.

For grandparents traveling a significant distance who indicated interest during registration for a rainy-day alternative, we will communicate a customized plan to ensure you have an opportunity to visit your grandchild’s classroom and enjoy part of the day with them.

Parking & Getting Around

Please anticipate parking in one area and carrying your belongings to the hospitality tents. We will do our best to minimize walking, but some movement around campus should be expected. We plan to have older students available to assist with carrying chairs, coolers, and other items whenever possible.

Restrooms

Portable outdoor restrooms and handwashing stations will be available in the parking area. Indoor restrooms will also be available.

A Relaxed, “Come-and-Go” Day

We encourage you to arrive with the mindset that this is a relaxed and flexible event. While there will be many opportunities to spend meaningful time with your grandchild please remember that teachers will still be conducting a regular school day.

The good news is that we have intentionally built opportunities for grandparents and grandchildren to enjoy time together, including activities during PE (cornhole competitions!), lunch, classroom visits, recess, and student showcases.

Arrival Information

The entire parking lot will be coned off for the event. As you arrive, please follow staff directions regarding parking locations and hospitality tent assignments.

Departure Information

We will begin tearing down tents and activity areas at 1:00 p.m. Our parking lot must be cleared to accommodate the regular afternoon pick-up line, which begins at 1:50 p.m. Parents or grandparents who wish to check out a student early may do so; however, standard early dismissal procedures still apply: students must be signed out at the front desk, any missed work must be completed, and grandparents must be listed in the Parent Portal as approved pick-up contacts.

Grandparents of Students in Grades 6th-12th

While programming is only geared toward K-5th, grandparents of students in grades 6th-12th are welcome to enjoy tailgate hospitality and classroom visits from 10:35 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.

We are honored that you will be joining us and cannot wait to celebrate the important role grandparents play in the lives of our students. Thank you for making Franklin Classical School part of your family’s story.