Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group Makes Going Back to School Easier

COURT HOUSE – Rutgers Cooperative Extension Family and Community Health Sciences’ Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) Support Group met Aug. 14 at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County for its annual Back to School Bash that focused on healthy snack and lunch planning for the school year.
According to a release, the GRG meeting was facilitated by Chris Zellers, Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS) educator.
The Back to School program, which strives to make grandparents and their grandchildren’s transition to the new school year easier, included a special back to school healthy snack activity for the children and provided grandparents with helpful nutritional information. 
Additionally, each child received a reusable snack case with ice pack.
“It is important when preparing our children for the first day of school to plan ahead. Making healthy snacks the day before with our children is one way of knowing that they will have a healthy snack choice during their busy day plus provides an opportunity for quality time together,” Zellers stated.
The program concluded with each child receiving a backpack filled with school supplies courtesy of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren grant from the county Division of Aging and Disability Services.
The grandparents also received information on immunizations, homework help resources, and other topics to help ensure a successful start to the school year. Zellers added, “The evening proved to be informative for our grandparents, as well as, fun for the children.” 
The next meeting of the Grandparents Raising GrandchildrenSupport Group will be Sept. 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County.
There will be a presentation, Don’t Get Vaped In, with guest speaker Carlo Favretto, Jr., regional youth coordinator, Atlantic Prevention Resources.
Childcare will be provided for the grandchildren. 
A light supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the program will follow at 6 p.m.
New families are always welcome to attend.
There is no charge for this program, however, registration is required by Sept. 11. Call Marian at (609) 465-5115, ext. 3609 for information or to register for the program. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group meetings are scheduled for Oct. 16, Nov. 20, and Dec. 10.