Book Fair continues until Friday

By Melinda L. Lucas

Grandparents Week at Nancy Smith Elementary continues today and tomorrow, along with the associated Book Fair.

The Parent-Teachers Organization is hosting the annual Book Fair in the cafeteria on the same days that grandparents are welcome to eat with their grandchildren or other students who might need a stand-in.

“It has been really busy so far,” counselor Susie Beard said Tuesday. “We have had lots of grandparents for lunch, as well as both parents and grandparents at the book fair.”

Beard has decorated a number of tables with a Valentine theme, and with the help of the sixth grade leadership team, she is taking photographs of grandparents and students against a special backdrop.

The books are set up on the stage in the cafeteria for students and grandparents to view during student lunch times. The usual assortment of books, games, posters, bookmarks, and other supplies are available, even though the PTO is using a different book provider.

Grandparents and “substitute” grandparents are invited to eat with students at any time during the next couple of days. There are not any scheduled times for particular grade levels.

Lunch periods at the campus are staggered from 10:45 a.m. through 1:15 p.m. and visitors are welcome to join students on any day of the week during the class’s lunch time.

The office staff also emphasized that visitors with students in multiple grades can arrange to eat with all students during a single lunch period

Lunch trays will not be available for adults to purchase, but visitors are welcome to bring lunches and even share with their students.

The Book Fair opens each day at 10:30 a.m., according to PTO president Ragan Riley, and stays open through the end of the fifth and sixth grade lunch time.

For security purposes, all visitors must check in at the front doors of the main building. Greeters will be at the main entrance to help with the sign-in and escort or direct visitors to the cafeteria as needed.

Students are encouraged to invite their grandparents or “substitutes” who may be standing in for students whose grandparents are unable to attend.

Any senior adults in the community who would like to volunteer to eat with a student who doesn’t have grandparents nearby can call the school office to get details. The main phone number is 325-762-3384.

Photos will be available for purchase this year. School counselor Susie Beard will manage the photo booth and will take photos of families. Photos can be purchased for $3 per photo, or 2 photos for $5, cash only.

The five-day Book Fair, benefits the PTO and its programs. Ten percent of all book purchases go back to the local school.

“We encourage community members to be ‘temporary grandparents’ for those students who might not have a grandparent or parent who is able to come eat lunch with them,” Riley said. “Please contact the school if this is something you are interested in.”

She added that community members may also want to purchase gift cards for students who do not have the funds to buy books, with that option available online.

Online options allow local residents to purchase books and fulfill teacher wish lists.

A link has been placed on the Albany PTO’s Facebook page or those interested can go to https://efairs.literati.com/

“Make sure to select the school,” Riley said. “Type in Nancy Smith and it pulls up.”