J.D. Hogarth staff and students celebrate Mrs. Dandy’s 100th birthday
October 6, 2017
FERGUS, Ontario – It was a very special day at J.D. Hogarth Public School on Friday.
Staff and students organized an event to celebrate one of the school’s most loved volunteers – Mrs. Dandy.
Mrs. Dandy turns 100 years old on Saturday, and on Friday the school feted her with songs, poems, cards and more.
Mrs. Dandy has been volunteering at Hogarth for more than 15 years. She told children on Friday that it is her favourite thing to do – and even though her friends ask her when she’s going to slow down, she still comes into the school to read to the children three times a week.
As part of her birthday event, Mrs. Dandy spent time visiting different classrooms. In between songs and ‘happy birthday’ wishes, she told the children about her family – three children, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Because they live in different places, she doesn’t get to see them all the time. Mrs. Dandy said she was thankful to have all of the children at the school to spend time with and visit.
Mrs. Dandy also told students stories of her time as a nurse in the military and spoke about the importance of taking care of yourself, staying healthy and being kind to others.
The celebrations continued in the school’s Library Commons, where school staff presented Mrs. Dandy with a special gift. To commemorate Mrs. Dandy’s 100th birthday, the school has established the Elsie Dandy Primary Reading Award. Each year at the end of the school year, a student who embodies the qualities of Mrs. Dandy – her love for reading and her kindness – will be awarded. The school also presented Mrs. Dandy with a glass poppy pin.
One thing that was clear on Friday was how much the staff and students love Mrs. Dandy, with many students raising their hands to share their favourite things about the dedicated volunteer.
Mrs. Dandy is a veteran of the Second World War, where she served as a nurse for the Canadian Army, stationed outside of London, England.
On Saturday, family members are flying in to celebrate Mrs. Dandy’s birthday at the Royal Canadian Legion in Fergus, another place that she spends time as a volunteer.
Happy birthday Mrs. Dandy!
Categories: Spotlight On Schools