Grandparents' Day Brings Sweet Guests to School

Grandparents read to kidsSpecial guests made for a special Friday at Skipcha Elementary School.

 

Looking for a way to celebrate Grandparents’ Day, which falls on a Sunday this year, the school invited grandparents to come read to children during the week.

 

Counselor Sarah Rice said she was thrilled with the response that brought 10 grandmothers and grandfathers to the school and a pair of grandparents from Ohio through video.

 

“The first grandmother I walked in, her grandson, the look on his face of just confusion and shock and joy. Their embrace was so sweet,” Rice said.

 

While teachers read to their students regularly, there’s something special about a guest coming in to read and often to share a bit of their lives with students.

 

“Kids love ‘read-alouds.’ Teachers read to them, but it’s different when you have a guest reader. The interaction, the teacher’s welcome it. I had no idea it was going to have the response it had,” said Rice.

 

Susan McCloy, a grandmother of three children at Skipcha was visiting from Iowa and received an invitation from her son to participate in the day of reading.

 

“I absolutely loved it,” she said. “I’m visiting Texas with my son and his family. It gave me an opportunity to be here. I’m just thrilled.”

 

“They were thrilled. It was a big hit.” After reading Pete the Cat’s Pizza Party they shared their favorite pizza flavors. Another book, about how a girl got her name led to a discussion of names.

 Grandparents read to kids at Skipcha

“I had a great time,” said McCloy.

 

Kindergarten teacher Emily Pillow said it’s always a positive experience to bring in guest readers and that the inter-generational connection was especially beneficial.

 

“Reading to students helps give them a love for reading, but also a love for the person reading,” she said, noting the power of different generations connecting over reading.

 

“A new person coming in sharing the joy of a book is inspirational to the kids. They see it’s not just teachers, but outsiders who enjoy books.”

 

Rice said she knew of schools that bring grandparents in for a lunch and decided reading would allow the school to honor grandparents and tie in family involvement and learning.

 

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