One major goal of the Grandparents’ Day activities (these can be completed at any point during the year) is to strengthen relationships between the parents and the students. It is important to receive feedback from the grandparents for a few reasons. First, it is a great way to introduce the activity the following year. Before completing the activity, the students can see the impact the assignment has had on people. Second, it allows for me to know who actually gave a great effort.
Below is the note I include with the memories and letters.

HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!

You have been chosen for this activity because you have created and shared so many great memories for a student in my class. You have made a BIG DIFFERENCE in someone’s life and they will never forget this or you. THANK YOU!
The class is very interested in your feedback. Could you please share your thoughts on our activities and what it was like to receive the letter. Email YOUR NAME (teacher) at youremail@yourschool.org or send a note to:
Your Name (teacher)
Your School School
Street address
Town, State zip code
Here are the responses first 5 responses I received. I will share more later.  I did not include any of the students’ names.
Response #1
“What a lovely surprise to receive my letter along with the memories of  “Me and You” my granddaughter sent me…I have rarely received any card or letter to acknowledge this day and am very impressed with your thoughtfulness in making this a class project.   It will be kept in my “treasure box” of cards and letters.
It was great fun to read her memories…I had forgotten one SHE remembered!!!  She is a wonderfully loving and happy granddaughter (and our first girl after 4 sons, 4 grandsons and 2 step grandsons, so she was special from the day she was born).
I am delighted our granddaughter will have the experience of your teaching skills and getting to know you.  I have fond memories of my years working at Hanover High School…glad you are still there to make a difference in our grandchildren’s lives.
Best wishes for a fun and successful school year.”
Response #2
“What a pleasant surprise to open a letter that my grandson composed.
It was refreshing to know that he has fond memories of his Great Grandparents, swimming and boating on their property, and dinners with his great grandfather. He mentioned mystery rides to Southie, food from the Sullivan’s, and Ed Amaral’s favorite dessert, congo bars.
My hope is that years from now he will share those memories with generations of family to come. Thank you for prompting my grandson to compose warm and fuzzy letters to grandparents. Keep it coming!”
Response #3
“I loved the note from our granddaughter! So many memories I have of her and all the other grandchildren!
It brought back memories of taking them up to our camp in New Hampshire and the fun we had up there with no parents. We got to do things that kids like to do and especially not having to “hurry up” to do anything.  I enjoyed the part about “trying everything” at camp….they always had to take a bite of all food served…then if they didn’t like it, they didn’t have to eat it, but it had to be tried…It’s funny she still remembers that.
Families are important, and I’d like to think that we were a good influence on our grandchildren’s lives.  I know she was on ours!”
Sincerely,
Grandparents of a wonderful granddaughter”
Response #4
“Let me commend you on such an admirable assignment.
Our Granddaughter’s letter is something we will always treasure.  It is something that we can scan into the computer, and pull up on a dreary day to remind ourselves that we are indeed the kind of grandparents that we hoped to be.  There is nothing more important than to know you are truly loved. Her memories spoke of the time spent with us, not the material things we have given her, demonstrating that her values and love of family are the things most important to her.  It has been a great privilege to share her life so far and we will miss her very much when she goes off to college. But now we have this wonderful letter and our own memories of her to keep in our hearts.
Nina & Grandpa”
Response #5
“I would like to thank you for the letter writing activity you gave your class.
What a surprise and a pleasure it was to receive a letter from my granddaughter! Her letter to me brought back so many memories. In our busy lives, it is so nice to realize how much something means to someone else. Reading her letter and having her share her memories of the two of us brought a smile to my face.
Thank you again. I am so proud of her and am happy to be included in a special part of her school day”
I am glad that many of the the grandparents and students had a positive experience with this activity.
After I read the letter, I photocopy it for the future, then give the original to the student who wrote the letter and memories.
Next year I will present the students with the following to have a record of the letters for the future
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE!
You made a great effort and made someone’s day. I would like you to take the note home and TYPE IT out. Send it to me in an email so I can share with future classes. I will change the names to protect the innocent.