MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Students of Matthew C. Perry's second grade class had an opportunity to sit down and enjoy lunch with some very special guests Feb. 14.
The students hosted their father's to a "Dad's Luncheon" inside of their classroom at the elementary school.
Shigeko Nishihara, Matthew C. Perry Elementary School teacher, helped the children organize the afternoon event, which she says always stirs up excite among the students.
"Younger children are always proud to have their parents visit their classroom," said Nishihara.
Nishihara and a fellow teacher came up with the idea while working at another Department of Defense Dependents School in Newfoundland, Canada, as a means to offer fathers a chance to come to the school.
"We saw many mothers at school volunteering their time while dads were at work," said Nishihara. "We thought of a luncheon for dads so they wouldn?t lose work time and yet have the opportunity to be involved in their children?s education."
Before serving lunch, the students treated their guests to a selection of poems they had memorized in preparation for their visitors. Nishihara said she incorporated the reading of poems into the event to assist her students in their study of poetry. She also said that the students enjoy reading and writing the poems because many of the ones they focus on are humorous in nature.
For students like 7-year-old Nicholas Cooke, preparing to treat his father to lunch was no problem at all.
"It only took me two days to memorize my poem," said Nicholas. "My favorite part was being able to eat lunch with my dad though."
Like others, Nicholas' father, Michael, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron substance abuse counseling officer, were more than appreciative for the opportunity to spend some extra time with their children.
"These lunches are great," said Cooke. "The kids put a lot of work in to this for us and it lets us show our children that even with our busy schedules we still have time for them."