Pewaukee Lake Elementary's first 'Grandpals Day' brings grandparents into 4K classrooms
November 25, 2025 | Pewaukee School District, School Districts, Wisconsin
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Pewaukee Lake Elementary hosted its first Grandpals Day this fall, inviting grandparents and other older adults into 4K classrooms for songs, hands-on activities and a chance to see how young children learn today.
"My name is Cheryl Penka, and I am a 4 k teacher at PLE," said Cheryl Penka, one of the event's organizers. Penka described parents'and grandparents'responses as emotional and affirming, and said the event was intended to "create this environment of joy for our grandparents and our grandchildren." She and colleagues ran stations including a photo booth, bookmark-making and a play-focused "dig pit."
Presenters told the board the idea began in one classroom and expanded districtwide after strong demand and positive feedback. Administrators reported roughly 90 RSVPs and said the event required a small number of administrator substitutes in morning and afternoon sessions. A board member asked whether organizers had tracked attendance and substitute needs; presenters said they had and that participation was strong.
Board members praised the event as a way to strengthen family engagement and community ties. The chair invited people interested in volunteering to sign up; one board member volunteered to be an "Oma or Nana" for future events.
The board heard Grandpals Day as the meeting's "spotlight of learning," and members encouraged staff to continue the program next year. The district's administrators said they will preserve the event as an annual offering and noted its potential to build community support for early-childhood programs.
"My name is Cheryl Penka, and I am a 4 k teacher at PLE," said Cheryl Penka, one of the event's organizers. Penka described parents'and grandparents'responses as emotional and affirming, and said the event was intended to "create this environment of joy for our grandparents and our grandchildren." She and colleagues ran stations including a photo booth, bookmark-making and a play-focused "dig pit."
Presenters told the board the idea began in one classroom and expanded districtwide after strong demand and positive feedback. Administrators reported roughly 90 RSVPs and said the event required a small number of administrator substitutes in morning and afternoon sessions. A board member asked whether organizers had tracked attendance and substitute needs; presenters said they had and that participation was strong.
Board members praised the event as a way to strengthen family engagement and community ties. The chair invited people interested in volunteering to sign up; one board member volunteered to be an "Oma or Nana" for future events.
The board heard Grandpals Day as the meeting's "spotlight of learning," and members encouraged staff to continue the program next year. The district's administrators said they will preserve the event as an annual offering and noted its potential to build community support for early-childhood programs.
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