CRESTVIEW — National Grandparents Day is Sunday, but Riverside Elementary School invited students’ grandparents to get a head start on the occasion throughout the week.
See more photos from Riverside Elementary's Grandparents Week>>
Grandparents could attend classes at each grade level and enjoy eating snacks with their grandchildren. The event allowed Riverside to give back to some of its most loyal supporters, Principal Tammy Matz said.
"When we have any awards ceremonies or (school) plays at the end of the year, we had just as many grandparents as parents in attendance,” she said.
Many attending grandparents are from North Okaloosa County, but some visited from out of town.
Richard and Sandra Borie, of Old Town, Fla., visited the school twice this week to see grandchildren, Bryce, 6, and Brock Dugan, 5.
"They are active boys; they were excited about us visiting," Richard said, adding he was impressed with Brock's first-grade class.
"They ran a very good, tight ship," Richard said. "It's very fast-paced and very in depth."
Chad and Tammy Rowan, visiting from Palm Springs, Calif., were already familiar with the school when they arrived for the grandparent's day event. Their first visit was Aug. 20, Brandon's first day of kindergarten at Riverside.
"It's a great idea to get the grandparents involved," Chad said.
Tina Krug ─who visited her 5-year-old grandson, Jayden Morrison ─agreed.
"I was looking forward to this," Krug said. "I think this is a great school."
Jayden was happy to see his grandmother.
"I knew my grandmom would come — because she promised," he said.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Riverside students welcome grandparents to campus (PHOTOS)