About the AARP/SDRSP GRANDPARENT ESSAY contest:
PLEASE NOTE--DUE TO THE COVID VIRUS AND THE INABILITY OF COMMITTEES TO MEET AS NEEDED, THE GRANDPARENT ESSAY CONTEST WILL NOT BE HELD IN 2021. PLANS ARE TO RESUME THE CONTEST IN 2022!
Since 2003, AARP South Dakota and the-then South Dakota Retired Teachers Association have
co-sponsored an annual Grandparent Essay Contest for South Dakota fifth graders. This is to
raise awareness of the more than 8,000 children in South Dakota who live in grandparent-headed
households, as well as acknowledging the important role that grandparents have with their
grandchildren.
AARP's commitment to this issue includes publishing a quarterly report that tracks the number
of grandchildren being raised by grandparents in each state as well as providing state-specific
resources to grandparents so that they may access assistance programs that may aid them.
Additional information on grand parenting can be found at www.grandfactsheets.org
The local Retired School Personnel in several communities of South Dakota conduct the contest
each school year with winning essays due on February 1. Guidelines and appropriate forms are
on this website.
PLEASE NOTE--DUE TO THE COVID VIRUS AND THE INABILITY OF COMMITTEES TO MEET AS NEEDED, THE GRANDPARENT ESSAY CONTEST WILL NOT BE HELD IN 2021. PLANS ARE TO RESUME THE CONTEST IN 2022!
Since 2003, AARP South Dakota and the-then South Dakota Retired Teachers Association have
co-sponsored an annual Grandparent Essay Contest for South Dakota fifth graders. This is to
raise awareness of the more than 8,000 children in South Dakota who live in grandparent-headed
households, as well as acknowledging the important role that grandparents have with their
grandchildren.
AARP's commitment to this issue includes publishing a quarterly report that tracks the number
of grandchildren being raised by grandparents in each state as well as providing state-specific
resources to grandparents so that they may access assistance programs that may aid them.
Additional information on grand parenting can be found at www.grandfactsheets.org
The local Retired School Personnel in several communities of South Dakota conduct the contest
each school year with winning essays due on February 1. Guidelines and appropriate forms are
on this website.
Essay forms--
Click A for teacher form, B for local RSP Chair form, and C to submit to AARP
A
B
C
Click A for teacher form, B for local RSP Chair form, and C to submit to AARP
A
B
C
Read the essays! Coots and Geezers can be amazing people, as evidenced by the writing below. Get yourself a snack, a cold drink (and a lap robe if it's coolish) and enjoy what our state's fifth graders think of their Grand Grandparents!