J.E. Cosgriff students take TGIF – fun classes each Friday

by Mary Markosian

Development Director, J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic Elementary School

SALT LAKE CITY — How many people think "Thank God it’s Friday"? At Cosgriff School in January the letters TGIF means more than just thanking God for Friday. When I first began working at Cosgriff school 10 years ago, I noticed on the school calendar that every Friday in January had the letters TGIF written on it. Puzzled, I began to ask if the staff had meetings at the restaurant TGI Friday’s. After a laugh, I was told this is a fun program the school instituted years before to give the students a time to learn a new craft, participate in an activity they otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate in; simply have a little fun on a Friday afternoon in January.

This year is no different, and with the help of many parent volunteers mini classes have been organized for the students. This year Linda Holyoak and Anne Morgan organized the classes. Morgan told me "It takes a lot of work to organize this program, but it’s all worthwhile when we see how excited the students get. They seem to genuinely appreciate the opportunity to take these classes."

This year we were able to offer classes in cooking, soccer, dance, mad science, music, and an exciting series called "So You want to Be a…" in which individuals from many career fields talked about their jobs. Thomas Marron loved the class with the pilot and he wants to be a pilot just like his grandfather. Michael Kearns said he didn’t know much about being a pilot until this class and he learned a lot. Victoria Garcia had fun making "creations" with beads.

The grand finale is a spaghetti dinner held the Saturday evening following the last day of the special classes. The students show parents and friends the crafts they have made, dance moves they have learned, or skills they have mastered during the courses they participated in.

Morgan said, "We’re so fortunate our staff and administration support this program and that our home and school association provides financial support.  We’re grateful for the Cosgriff parents and alumni who teach several of the classes and for the others in the community who so willingly donate their time and talents. This program would not be possible if it weren’t for the generosity of a whole lot of people." It’s a fun way to spend a cold and dreary Friday in January.