NATCHEZ — Sixth through eighth-grade students at Morgantown Middle School had special guests eating with them at the lunch table Thursday — their grandparents.

“National Grandparents Day was Sunday,” said Shemekia Rankin, principal at Morgantown Middle School, “and we like to not only get parents involved in their child’s education but grandparents as well. … That is why we’re celebrating today.”

Rankin said a lot of emphases is traditionally placed on parental involvement with students in elementary school but that emphasis seems to lessen once students enter the sixth grade.

“The students are excited because this is something new and different for them,” Rankin said. “… Once they hit middle school, you start to see that drop off for parent and student activities. We’re trying to do something now to build a culture here — a culture of togetherness by welcoming parents and grandparents into the community.”

Seventh-grade cousins, Jamiya Wimley and Derrielle Clay said they were especially excited when they found out their grandfather, Phillip Wimley had asked off from work to eat with them at school.

“I was surprised,” Clay said. “I didn’t know he was coming because I thought he had to work.”

Seventh-grade assistant principal Cassandra Jones said all of the school administrators and staff set up decorations in the school cafeteria and prepared a special lunch just for the occasion — complete with cake and lemonade.

“Everyone pitched in to achieve a common goal,” Jones said, “ — to have grandparents here so our students know that we care about them.”