Grandparents give pupils doses of love along with schoolwork help.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ The unspoken motto at Arrowhead Elementary School is no child can have too many grandparents or too much love.

In line with that motto, Grandma Marcia, Grandpa Dan, Grandpa Woody and other older people volunteer at the school in the only formal organization of grandparents in the Shawnee Mission School District.

The Grandparents Organization began at Arrowhead three years ago on Grandparent's Day when Shirley Tucker decided older parents needed something for themselves. Tucker is the group's president.

Members are men and women, some who raise their grandchildren, and others who just want to be active in the school.

Group member Dixie Hutchison said she's been the primary caregiver for her grandson, Garrett, since his mom went back to work full time. Garrett calls Hutchison "Da" as do the rest of the students in his afternoon kindergarten class.

"I do it for selfish reasons," Hutchison said. "I worked all the time that my girls were in school, so now I get a second chance with my grandson, Garrett. It's fun. If I had more time, I'd do more of it."

Kindergarten teacher Leola Tooks said that whatever the reason for the older generation's participation, everyone benefits from the extra attention.