MENTONE – For more than 30 years, Kim Eiser has taught at Mentone Elementary School. This year, she was looking to involve the community, parents and her students with her in a new way. She wrote and received a grant from the Beta Epsilon Chapter of Psi Iota Xi, Mentone, and created the “Breakfast and Books with Mrs. Eiser” program. Two Mentone businesses – Java Jack’s and Pete and Freddy’s Pages Aplenty – partnered with her on the program. On four Saturdays in May, she meets with one-fourth of her class at Java Jack’s at 9:30 a.m. for breakfast. Eiser has 20 students in her class this year. Guests join her and her students on each occasion. On the first Saturday, May 2, Mentone Town Marshal Jim Eads was the guest reader. On May 9, Psi Iota Xi sorority Treasurer Marsha Scott read two books, “Fortunately” and “The Cafeteria Lady From the Black Lagoon.” The other guests on Saturday were Eiser’s husband, Psi Iota Xi member Debi McFadden and Eiser’s classroom assistant, Melissa Cook. Mentone Principal Angie Miller also made an appearance. The other two Saturdays will be May 16 and May 30. “We’re fostering literature and teaming up with the community to help (students) understand what community is all about,” Eiser said Saturday morning. The Tippecanoe Valley School District is a “huge and deep community,” she said, so some of the students don’t even know Mentone has a used book store. While the guest reader is reading the book they chose to the students, the students and other guests enjoy a fruit cup, pancakes, bacon, eggs and a drink. Once breakfast is over, the students are taken next door to Pete and Freddy’s Books Aplenty to pick out $10 worth of books to keep. The adult guests assist students in their selections. “It’s interesting to watch them and see where their interests are,” Eiser said. On Saturday, Eiser’s students in attendance were Evan Reese, Blaine Baney and James Bartley. Reese said he thought the event was good. “I think it’s going to be great here,” he said before eating breakfast. He was most excited about the food and didn’t know Mentone had a book store. His favorite books were the “Magic Tree House” book series. Baney also was looking forward to the food. He said he liked Lego® books and hoped to find one in the book store. As for non-fiction books, he said he liked books on bugs. As he enjoys reading, Bartley said he was excited about getting books. He said he likes to read chapter books. After the students picked out their books to take home, each one wrote a thank-you note to the sorority.
