It was impossible to tell who enjoyed the sweet interaction more, the children listening to their special guest readers or the grandparents taking time to engage with the young students.
Skipcha Elementary School honored grandparents on Monday by putting them to work reading to pre-kindergarten through second-graders in celebration of Grandparents Day, which was Sunday.
One guest grandparent, Tiffany Theall, traveled from Louisiana to see her children and grandchildren and just happened to be in town during the event at her granddaughter’s school.
Another guest, who lives in Temple, is a regular volunteer and a retired educator.
Both seemed right at home surrounded by young children. Many of the students didn’t hesitate to ask questions or to offer up a personal story of their own.
Skipcha Principal Ariel Woods, in her first year as principal, said the tradition is a special one that reflects the importance of community. Her own mother, Artelia Freeman, a KISD human resources employee and a grandmother, participated as well.
“When I think about education, this is something connected to the community. We want our students and our families to feel very connected to where they live,” Woods said.
“It’s important for grandparents to be involved. They are the foundation, and we need to honor them.”
“I was so excited I got to participate,” said Theall, who came to town to assist her daughter, a military spouse.
“They have been so interactive and energetic. They are polite and well-behaved, and I think they enjoy the break from their schoolwork,” she said.
Many grandparents live far away, so the chance to take part in a school activity is special.
Val Rice-Kennedy, an eight-year former teacher and academic language therapist before retiring, spends as much time as possible in schools.
“I love this tradition of grandparents reading at Skipcha,” she said. “I do it every year. I do have grandchildren here. I am a former educator, and I love to read to the kids. They get so excited and animated, and I love it.”
“The most important part I love is seeing my grandkid’s face light up when I come in the room, and they say, ‘Hey, it’s my Gigi. It makes my heart happy that I’m able to do this.”
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720328888240