Linda Wiley was excited about Grandparents Day at Monte Sano Elementary School.

"My grandson is happy to know that I can come and eat lunch with him and visit his class," she said of Jaylen George, 7, as she waited to go to his classroom. "He's very excited, and I am, too. Nothing could have kept me away today."

Madeline Turner also was excited about seeing her granddaughter, Grace Turner, 7, during the event Sept. 11.

"This is a super opportunity to get to participate in your grandchild's life," she said. "I'm looking forward to meeting her friends and classmates."

Signs with messages such as "Grandparents Are Special" greeted the visitors in the hallways, and in the classrooms they were met with enthusiastic "hellos" and waves from pupils and teachers.

"As expected, it's exciting for the children, because not all of them get to see their grandparents all of the time," said Emily James, a third-grade teacher. "However, it's just as exciting for us because we get to meet the child's extended family, and it's a chance for us to show how important they are to the child and to the school."

More than 200 people, including some parents, attended the event.

In addition to visiting classrooms, they ate lunch with the children, learned more about the school's Parent Teacher Association and other programs and had the opportunity to have their blood pressure checked by medical technology students from A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet High School.

The support that the grandparents show for the grandchildren and the school encourages more parents to get involved, said Charles James, the school's PTA president.

"That generation are strong advocates for education and want to see our children gain as much education as they can," he said. "That only encourages parents to live up to those standards and do their part."

Principal Kathryn Perrin said the event is one of many the school plans to get families more involved with the school.

"The kids get excited when people they love are interested in what they are doing," she said. "So I'm looking forward to seeing more parents and grandparents get involved."