The West Grayson Retired School Personnel Association (WGRSPA) recently had an extraordinarily special event with the senior and third-grade Tioga Bulldogs.
Ten years ago, the seniors were third graders receiving their books from WGRSPA with the TISD Class of 2016 assisting.
Superintendent Josh Ballinger prompted the third graders to just think about the fact that in 10 years, they could be the seniors reading to third graders while remembering this day.
Carol Golden, WGRSPA Book Project Committee member and Tioga’s Garra Ballinger, Academic/College Advisor, H.S. ELAR teacher and librarian, organized the project. Golden spoke of how impressed she was with Tioga ISD for its mannerly, enthusiastic students, teachers, staff and administrators from the very first time WGRSPA provided books and throughout the entire decade. She focused her compliments into this acrostic: T is for Team; I is for Integrity; O is for Optimism; G is for Greater Vision; and A is for Achievers.
Next, Glenda Coulson, Scholarship Committee Chair, took the opportunity to tell the seniors about WGRSPA’s annual scholarship presentation, especially those for college junior education majors.
This year’s book, chosen by Garra Ballinger, was “The Magic Tree House the Graphic Novel” by Mary Pope Osborne and adapted by Jenny Laird. It was presented to each of the 35 third graders taught by Lorre Eddleman and Kim Clark. With the books came colorful bookmarks hand-decorated by many of the 70 seniors.
WGRSPA members present were Golden, Coulson, Mary Nan Story and Sharon Lively.
WGRSPA appreciates the ongoing support of everyone who participates in our annual fundraisers: painted pumpkins and the harvest basket raffle. You are an integral part of all four book projects, donations to school libraries and scholarships.
