Stewart Elementary first graders got to have their first storytime of the year with some furry friends this week.

First grade teacher Elizabeth Goodwin brought her class of 17 children to PAWS & More Animal Shelter Tuesday to read storybooks to the dogs, cats, and kittens waiting for their forever home.

Prior to the pandemic Goodwin brought her second grade class regularly to the shelter, and since switching grade levels and loosened COVID-19 restrictions this year, the administration approved for her to renew this outreach activity, “It kind of goes along with our ‘profile of a graduate’ in trying to form community partnerships and really just raising good citizens and learning to take care of different businesses and help out in the community and volunteering.”

Goodwin hopes the class can come to the shelter monthly to practice their reading and nurturing of animals, especially those that haven’t had positive human interactions in the past. You can find photos from the field trip, and pets that are currently available for adoption by visiting this story at kciiradio.com.