More than 50 grandparents joined students in the classroom for reading, dancing and fun at a recent Grandparent Reading Day at Lone Tree Elementary School. The goal was to raise spirits on the nation's fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"I think this is wonderful. My theme is that it takes a village to raise a child," said Principal Essence Phillips. "It takes everyone in the family to raise a child at Lone Tree Elementary School."

Just after the morning school bell alarm, grandparents met in the quad for a brief introduction and refreshments. After signing in, each guest was presented with a book and escorted to a classroom.

In Laura Pereira's first-grade class, the room was loud with giggles while grandparents sang, twirled and clapped along to the "Hokey Pokey" alongside students.

Students listened to stories read by grandparents in Kristen Chapman and Mary Johnston's second-grade class.

Phillips and other organizers had originally planned to celebrate the reading day in the multipurpose room, but they discovered that the classroom setting allowed for a more personal experience.

Phillips and Vice-principal Melanie Jones handed out certificates of appreciation and plasticized bookmarkers to the grandparents, some of whom gathered around the snack bar to share stories about their grandchildren.

Alex Inserto wore a tan shirt with a white road sign print that read, "World's coolest Grandpa."

Lone Tree Elementary hopes to make Grandparent Reading Day an annual event, and all look forward to doing it next year.