Thank You Silver Ranch Elementary School

This morning brought back more memories than I expected...

...last time I visited an elementary school was three years ago this month - at my dad's memorial. He was a school principal for over 30 years in National City ( San Diego, California ) - and one of the places he worked at was where we gathered many years later along with a packed auditorium of those who knew him, it was a tough day for me. This morning a few of us from Bismarck Townsquare Media helped celebrate National Reading Month at Silver Ranch Elementary school.

We were invited out to read to some awesome 4th graders

Lisa Arth, Rockin' Rick Rider from US 103.3, Andi Ahne from Hot 97.5 and myself - Bromo from 96.5 The Walleye were met at the door by Jen Phillips - she gave us a quick tour of this beautiful school that opened this year.

Walking through the carpeted hallways brought back a flood of my childhood, especially the lockers all lined up:

One of the huge rooms had some comfortable tables set up, which is where we ran into Miss Ternes and Mrs. Mettler - both 4th grade teachers - I asked one of them what her favorite part of her job is - Miss Ternes responded "When I can see in their smile and eyes that they totally undertstood what I was teaching them". Think a moment what a gift that is, teachers are so valuable.

Just when I thought this marvelous place couldn't be more charming, out came the kids - most of them wearing pajamas

Yes, it was "Wear pajamas to school" day. Walking down another path, we came across paintings on the walls AND Hallway expectations.

Our tour guide Jen walked us into the library, where we each picked out a book to read to our classrooms.

So each of us were given a pleasant task - to read the book we chose - in front of our own class, for instance here is Rockin' Rick Rider from US 103.3:

Andi Ahne from Hot 97.5 was in the next room with her class:

I may have failed my assignment...

but I wanted to know more about these awesome 19 4th graders in my room. I chose not to read, but ask questions to each of them. What do they think of WHEN they read, WHY do they like to read? What kind of books interest EACH of them? When you read, can you picture WHAT you are reading about in your head? Many of them told me they had a hard time putting their book down, and isn't that wonderful? In a world on INSTANT videos, TikToks, Social Media - there are plenty of distractions to keep them from picking up a book, and yet they love it.

Our time was up, and we all said goodbye. As I walked by the kids in the cafeteria, I thought to myself what a privilidge it was to be among them.

Huge thanks to Lisa Arth our market president and Jen Phillips ( Jen was the teacher of the class that I was in ) for giving me one of my most memorable mornings in my radio career.