Spending time in the principal’s office and staying an extra hour after school might not sound like a good thing.

For a group of Vidalia Lower Elementary kindergartners, there is nothing better.

For one hour every Monday afternoon seven kindergartners pile into Tanya Mallory’s classroom not to play, but to read. But don’t tell that to the smiling group of faces. To them reading is playing.

For the six of the past seven years, Mallory has been spending her Monday afternoons with a group of the school’s most exceptional kindergarten readers.

Already knowing how to read before they stepped into the classroom, many of these students needed what Mallory calls “that little extra push.”

Unlike many of their classmates, these students read above the kindergarten level.

And that is what Mondays are for — keeping the students challenged to keep reading.

Each week, Mallory challenges her students with games, puzzles, flash cards and, of course, stories.

“We make it fun,” Mallory said.

And what could be more fun than taking an advanced reading book and reading it to the principal.

“The school really encourages reading and going to the principal to read makes them feel special,” Mallory said. “Besides, (Principal) Mrs. (Doris) Polk gives them a treat.”

With fellow teacher Tori Webber, Mallory started the afternoon program when her daughter was in kindergarten.

Seven years later, Mallory says she see success in many of her students from that first class.

“Most of them are A and B students,” Mallory said.

“I am sure this program didn’t have everything to do with that, but it gave them a good foundation.”

The program is a completely volunteer class. “If they are not ready or don’t want to join, we don’t push them,” Mallory said.

But for the parents who might want to give their children the opportunity to continue honing their reading skill, the program gives them a fun and easy way to learn. “It gives them that extra little edge,” Mallory said.