Fathers involved in "Men, Dirt and Vehicles That Work" activity

GRAVETTE -- Classes at Gravette Schools were dismissed early on Tuesday, Nov. 24, as students began the annual Thanksgiving break. Youngsters were eagerly anticipating having a few days of vacation, enjoying family gatherings and having big turkey dinners.

Third, fourth and fifth grade students at Gravette Upper Elementary School had extra excitement Tuesday as they enjoyed the school's celebration of "Men, Dirt and Vehicles That Work." The gravel parking lot next to the school was filled with cranes, emergency and military vehicles, tractors and other equipment, delivery trucks, service vehicles and a large semi adorned with Razorback emblems. Children enjoyed examining all the vehicles and several climbed into the cabs and imagined themselves driving them. Many also lined up to examine a LifeLine helicopter, fully equipped for emergency care, in a grassy field nearby.

The morning was made even more enjoyable because many of the children were accompanied by special men in their lives, who were guests for the day's events. The event was open to fathers, grandfathers, uncles, stepdads or older siblings. Jaymey Boston, counselor at GUE, planned the parental involvement activity with particular emphasis on including the men. She commented that she was seeing more men at school that day than she normally saw all year. And judging from the reaction of the fellows, who seemed to be enjoying the show as much as the youngsters, the activity was a success.

Activities were also held in the classrooms, with the men sharing about their profession, special areas of expertise, telling a childhood story or participating in an interview. Students were photographed with their special man and the guys were treated to a coffee and muffin break sponsored by the school's PTO and a silent auction for a shop vac and trimmer for yard work.

"This idea came about from thinking how women just traditionally feel more comfortable at school -- think room moms, PTO, parent-teacher conferences, all these activities where we see a lot of moms. We wanted to make an effort to let the men in our students' lives know that the door to our school is always open to them, that they are welcome at GUE and that their involvement is valued at school!" Boston said.