WES students honor foster grandparents
West Elementary School in Russellville honored the people serving the school through the foster grandparent program with a presentation of certificates of appreciation and a luncheon on Friday.
The event was part of National Volunteer Week, which was celebrated across the country during April 10 through 16, but even though the Russellville City schools were out for spring break that week, WES Principal Dr. Tim James said he still wanted the ladies to be recognized.
“I hope you know how much we all appreciate what you do,” James told the foster grandmothers on Friday.
James arranged for the children in each class served by a foster grandmother to write letters to the women expressing their thanks for their dedication to what they do.
“I know that what touches my heart the most is when kids write letters to me, so we wanted you to have something special from them,” James said.
Sylvia Robinson, who works with Beth Forsythe and Linda Bingham’s classes, said she loves being a foster grandmother.
“These kids are the most important part of what we do,” Robinson said. “Some of them are just reaching out for love and I’m glad to give that to them.”
“Mrs. [Nancy] Warren and Mr. James are so nice and the faculty is so sweet,” Margaret Sharpley said.
“We really have the sweetest school with the best teachers and the best principal,” Jane Mobbs added.
Each foster grandmother expressed her love for the students and the school, but the teachers are also appreciative of the fact these women are willing to spend time with these kids and investing in their futures.
“The help they give us in the classroom is invaluable,” said Beth Forsythe, who teaches reading to students in kindergarten through second grade. “They read books to these kids and really listen to them, and that’s so important because many kids don’t get that kind of attention at home.”
“They’re very devoted and they’re here every day. The foster grandparent program is just great all the way around,” first-grade teacher Monica Moon said.
