NSES to host Grandparents Week, PTO Book Fair March 3-7
By Melinda L. Lucas
Grandparents Week and the annual PTO Book Fair are both set for next week, March 3-7, at Nancy Smith Elementary School, with NSES counselor Susie Beard inviting parents and grandparents to bring a lunch and buy a book or two.
There are online purchasing options as well, according to PTO officer Brandi Lehew.
PTO volunteers will provide golf carts to transport visitors from the front area of the school to the cafeteria, as well as back to their vehicles after lunch.
Grandparents Week
Although cafeteria lunches are not available to purchase, visitors are welcome to bring lunches and even share with their students.
Lunch periods at the campus are staggered from 10:15 a.m. through 1:00 p.m., and visitors are welcome to join students on any day of the week during the class’s lunch time. Lunch times are as follows:
HS/PK-10:30-11:00; K-10:45-11:15; 1st/2nd -11:20-11:50; 3rd/4th-11:55-12:25; 5th/6th-12:30-1:00
“We will have designated seating for our visitors and their students,” Beard said. “There will be a photo backdrop, and you can take pictures with your own phone or purchase a printed photo.
Printed photos are $3 or two for $5 (cash only). The photo orders will be printed at the end of each day and delivered to the student.
“The pictures will not be printed ‘live’ like in previous years,” she said.
If a grandparent has grandchildren in multiple grades, arrangements can be made to eat with all students during a single lunch period.
Book Fair
Going on at the same time as Grandparents Week is the Albany Parent-Teachers Organization’s annual Book Fair, which will be set up in the cafeteria.
In addition to books for different levels of readers, there will be the usual assortment of books, games, posters, bookmarks, and other supplies.
“If you can’t make it during lunch time or don’t want to send cash with students, you can purchase off the website to be mailed to school after the fair OR purchase a digital gift card for your child to use in person at the fair,” Lehew said. “We will have the names of all students who have a gift card and the balance.”
Friends, family, and community members can also purchase gift cards for a particular student or teacher, or they can purchase one for any student in need or any teacher who may need books for their classroom.
Links are posted on the Albany PTO Facebook page or there are QR codes in this week’s Nancy Smith Elementary School news.
“PTO strives to make sure every student receives a book,” Lehew said. “If you would like to help out with this project, you can purchase a gift card online or send a donation through our PO Box number, Venmo or give money to any PTO officer.”
Substitute
Grandparents
Both the school and PTO are encouraging community members to come eat lunch with students who might need a “substitute grandparent.” Any senior adults or others in the community who would like to volunteer to eat with a student who doesn’t have grandparents nearby can contact a PTO officer or call the school office to get details. The main phone number is 325-762-3384.
In addition, notes will be sent home with students with the instructions on how to purchase books online, fulfill teacher wish lists, and see what items will be available at the Book Fair.
