By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY—Caryn May hugged her grandmother, Roselia Knox, as the two sat down to enjoy lunch together in the Inverness Elementary School cafeteria on Feb. 19. Roselia and her husband, Kenneth, were just two of more than 100 grandparents who visited the school on Feb. 19 for Grandparents Day.

“This is our first time (at IES),” Roselia said, adding she has two granddaughters at IES, Caryn and Michai. “(We like) just being with them and letting them know we love them.”

Grandparents Day is an annual tradition at IES, and it really is a day of activity. In addition to a special lunch, each classroom teacher plans an activity for students and their grandparents to do together.

From playing math games to reading stories, the day gives grandparents a unique look into what their grandchildren are doing and learning at IES.

“In general, parents have direct access to the school at all times,” IES Assistant Principal Jeff Norris said. “It’s neat for the grandparents to be able to check in.”

Shannon Williamson’s first grade class learned how their school experience is different than their grandparents’ experiences. Grandparents brought in old photos and shared their stories.

“My Nanna said she used to have a desk that you open up!” first grader Madeline Prevallet exclaimed.

Grandparents Day also gives students a chance to show off their school and classrooms.

Roselia said she was looking forward to seeing what her granddaughters’ love doing in school.

“They’re very excited to be here (at IES),” Roselia said. “I’m thankful and impressed that they’re in such a great school system.”

For other children, the best part of the day is just getting to spend special time with their grandparents.

First grader Bailey Slaughter said her favorite part of Grandparents Day is “to get to hug” her Papa and Nanna.

Grandparent’s Day is a longstanding tradition at IES. This year, the school held four Grandparent’s Days, Feb. 11, 12, 18 and 19.

“We always do it on a Thursday and Friday so they can spend the weekend,” Norris said, noting a number of grandparents travel from out of town and out of state for the special day.

The special tradition also helps bring grandparents in to the IES community and strengthen the home-school connection, IES Principal Christine Hoffman said.

“It’s so important to get the extended family involved,” Hoffman said. “The more people we have as an advocate for children is important to us.”