• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Willis Elementary hosts first Games with Grandparents in Lakewood Ranch


  • By Liz Ramos
  • | 11:30 a.m. September 9, 2023
Cynthia Rogers and her husband, Charles Rogers, love having Friday night fun with their granddaughter Kendall Leathers (center), a first grader. They usually have a movie night, but on Sept. 8, they decided to attend Willis Elementary's Games with Grandparents.
Cynthia Rogers and her husband, Charles Rogers, love having Friday night fun with their granddaughter Kendall Leathers (center), a first grader. They usually have a movie night, but on Sept. 8, they decided to attend Willis Elementary's Games with Grandparents.
Photo by Liz Ramos
  • East County
  • Schools
  • Share

Cynthia Rogers and Charles Rogers love spending Friday nights watching movies with their granddaughter Kendall Leathers. 

Instead of a movie Sept. 8, Cynthia and Charles Rogers and Leathers decided to switch up their Friday night plans.

They attended Robert E. Willis Elementary School's first Games with Grandparents. Leathers is a first grader at the school.

"We always love to have fun Friday nights with our granddaughter, and this is another great opportunity," Cynthia Rogers said. "We are excited about the games and having the chance to meet her friends and teachers."

Dozens of grandparents played games, ate ice cream and made crafts with their grandchildren. 

Paul Downie, a third grader, said he loved Games with Grandparents because he was able to spend time with his grandma, Jill Downie.

"I like that I get to be with my family," he said. 

Cynthia Rogers and her husband, Charles Rogers, love having Friday night fun with their granddaughter Kendall Leathers (center), a first grader. They usually have a movie night, but on Sept. 8, they decided to attend Willis Elementary's Games with Grandparents.
Cynthia Rogers and her husband, Charles Rogers, love having Friday night fun with their granddaughter Kendall Leathers (center), a first grader. They usually have a movie night, but on Sept. 8, they decided to attend Willis Elementary's Games with Grandparents.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Parent-Teacher Organization President Allie Freund, third grader Peyton Hill, PTO secretary Mindy Buckley, Missy Wienandy dressed as the school's mascot, PTO vice president Jess Tripoli and treasurer Colleen Laughlin are thrilled to see so many grandparents in attendance.
Parent-Teacher Organization President Allie Freund, third grader Peyton Hill, PTO secretary Mindy Buckley, Missy Wienandy dressed as the school's mascot, PTO vice president Jess Tripoli and treasurer Colleen Laughlin are thrilled to see so many grandparents in attendance.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Luka Tabachnick, a second grader, has a blast with his grandmother Jean Fox and brother Zayden Tabachnick, a kindergartner.
Luka Tabachnick, a second grader, has a blast with his grandmother Jean Fox and brother Zayden Tabachnick, a kindergartner. "I'm excited because it's been a crazy couple weeks for me," Fox says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Charlie Hill and Janine Hill look forward to meeting first grader Cora Comeaux's teacher.
Charlie Hill and Janine Hill look forward to meeting first grader Cora Comeaux's teacher.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Jill Downie plays a board game with her grandson Paul Downie, a third grader.
Jill Downie plays a board game with her grandson Paul Downie, a third grader. "I love when she plays with me," Paul Downie says of his grandmother.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Tim O'Connor, kindergartner Shane Flynn, Anibal Colon, Brenda O'Connor and fourth grader Emmy Flynn enjoy a quick round of putt putt.
Tim O'Connor, kindergartner Shane Flynn, Anibal Colon, Brenda O'Connor and fourth grader Emmy Flynn enjoy a quick round of putt putt.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Julie McLaughlin teaches her grandson Mason Wisor, a first grader, how to putt.
Julie McLaughlin teaches her grandson Mason Wisor, a first grader, how to putt. "We're having a grand time," McLaughlin says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Jan Medford makes picture frames with her granddaughter MaryKate Medford, a first grader, and her husband, Morgan Medford.
Jan Medford makes picture frames with her granddaughter MaryKate Medford, a first grader, and her husband, Morgan Medford. "We like to celebrate (MaryKate) any way we can," Morgan Medford says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Laura Griffin and Patricia Jacobsen make a memory with kindergartner Grace Martin and second grader John Martin.
Laura Griffin and Patricia Jacobsen make a memory with kindergartner Grace Martin and second grader John Martin.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Jeff Gundersen plays basketball with his grandson Rafael Sastoque during Robert E. Willis Elementary School's first Games with Grandparents night.
Jeff Gundersen plays basketball with his grandson Rafael Sastoque during Robert E. Willis Elementary School's first Games with Grandparents night.
Photo by Liz Ramos
David McGrath loves seeing the artwork his granddaughter Summer Allen, a first grader, makes. McGrath says he loved Games with Grandparents because he was able to meet some of Allen's friends.
David McGrath loves seeing the artwork his granddaughter Summer Allen, a first grader, makes. McGrath says he loved Games with Grandparents because he was able to meet some of Allen's friends.
Photo by Liz Ramos

 

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.

Latest News

Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
  • April 10, 2026
Manatee County Commission changes course on Bradenton EDC
Drugs, cash and a rifle bullet were among the items found by Sarasota Police in a search of a 31st Way home, resulting in the arrest of Demarius R. Jones, of Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sarasota man on probation arrested on drug, other charges
Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, in Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sushi restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District
Work proceeds on the fields at 17th Street Park in northeastern Sarasota County. Completion is expected late this year
  • April 9, 2026
Multistate softball tournament coming to 17th Street Park

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Schools

Construction has advanced quickly from Feb. 8 when this aerial photo was taken. The vantage point shows how close the school is from one of the runways at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee Technical College flying into SRQ with new aviation program
Florida Statute 1001.42(4)(f)2 will require high schools, including Braden River High (pictured) and Lakewood Ranch High, to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. unless the district submits paperwork and gets accepted to keep the current start times.
  • April 7, 2026
Manatee County School District might fight starting time mandate
Gabriella Martinez Reyes, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named president of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America. This makes her the first of Manatee County.
  • March 31, 2026
LRHS junior named president for Florida's Future Business Leaders of America
Ellenton's Rennee Lux, who will serve as the director for KLA Schools of Lakewood Ranch, is eager to welcome children and families into the new space.
  • March 25, 2026
KLA Schools prepares to open new early learning center in Lakewood Ranch
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fourth graders Leona Killion and Michael Chmielarski created business cards as a dancer and a soccer player for the Project T.E.A.C.H. activity on March 12.
  • March 23, 2026
Project TEACH volunteers work to inspire young minds in Manatee County
Linda Medina and Aliana Donald, second graders at Daughtrey Elementary, are eager to answer any questions Miss Gina might ask about the books she reads.
  • March 4, 2026
Books for Kids continues to bring reading passion to elementary students

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free