Grandparents Take Storytime By Storm

All eyes were on the grandparents at Bryant Elementary School last Friday.

For the eight year in a row, the school played host to "Grandparents Read To Me" day. The annual event welcomes grandparents into the school to take some time and read to students.

The Bryant PTA organizes the event. This year about 110 grandparents participated.

"We build it around a long weekend," said Yupa Sanne, a PTA member, adding that some grandparents fly in from out of state to take part in the event.

"Kids enjoy seeing grandparents and the grandparents are proud," Sanne said.

On Friday, Dan McSheffrey didn't have to travel too far to take part.

The Boston native spends his winters in The Eagles area of Westchase. His grandson, Joshua, is a first-grader in Ms. McNeill's class at Bryant. McSheffrey read two stories to the attentive kids.

He joked his New England "accent" might sound funny to the class and told stories of growing up and making snowmen.

"I like to be involved in their lives," said McSheffrey, who has five grandchildren.

Grandparents checked in inside the school's multi-purpose room where the PTA provided a buffet of snacks, food, coffee and drinks. A book cart was available for grandparents who needed stories to read.

Assistant Principal Ellen Oberschall said "Grandparents Read To Me" day speaks to Bryant Elementary's emphasis on bridging the gap between home and school.

"There's a true relationship between home and school for the success of the children," Oberschall said.