Ngoc Vo / The Messenger

Grandparents of Troy Elementary students gathered at the school Friday morning to celebrate with their grandchildren.

“(Grandparents) are very important in the lives of the children,” said Teresa Sims, principal. “Their support is important to us. Grandparents have so much to share: their experience, their wisdom. We want to show them the wonderful things that are going on at our school.”

Sims said the school organized a short welcome program for the grandparents, followed by classroom visits. TES also gave out book fair gift certificates in recognition of the grandparents who travel the most and who have the most children in the school.

Students shared short presentations about their grandparents during classroom visits.

“My grandson called and told me to be here,” said Carolyn Rowell, grandmother of a TES second-grader and a kindergarten student. “I’m from Brewton … This is my first time at Grandparents Day. It’s wonderful. I like to come to see how (the children) are doing in school and see their environment. I had no idea what the school looks like. They have a very nice school.”

Rowell said she attended the kindergarten section of the event. She found the handprints and cards the students made for their grandparents and the songs they sang very nice.

Marilyn Townsy, a grandmother of TES first-grader said it is a joy to see her grandchild.

“My granddaughter gave me the school paper to me to sign and asked me: ‘Granny, are you going to come?’” Townsy said. “Of course, I’m coming. I was looking forward to this. I love to see those little kids play, and see what they are doing, their school activities and talk to the teachers.”

According to Sims, the grandparents were invited to the event. If they cannot be at the event, students can bring special guests with them.

“We are very appreciative if the support of the grandparents.” Sims said. “It takes all of us to teach and raise our kids.”

Annie Siler said she has enjoyed every year she has participated in the program: four times with a fourth-grader and now once with a kindergartener.

“It’s a great day,” Siler said. “I’m glad to be here. It’s an opportunity to see the classroom. The teachers have done a great job with our children.”