Grandparents Week, Book Fair scheduled

By Melinda L. Lucas

Grandparents Week at Nancy Smith Elementary is set for next week, Feb. 13-17, according to principal John Gallagher.

The Parent-Teachers Organization will host the annual Book Fair in the cafeteria on the same days.

The books will be 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 will be available.

Grandparents and “substitute” grandparents are invited to eat with students at any time next week. There will not be 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 lunch schedule is listed in the “NSES News” on page seven of this issue.

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

“If a grandparent has grandchildren in multiple grades, arrangements can be made to eat with all students during a single lunch period,” said Gallagher.

The Book Fair will open each day at 10:30 a.m., according to PTO president Ragan Riley, and stay 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.

Riley said that there are already enough volunteers signed up to help with book sales during the five-day Book Fair, which 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 contacxt one of the PTO officers or the school if this is something you are interested in.”

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

Local residents can also purchase books online, fulfill teacher wish lists, and see what items will be available at the Book Fair.

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

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