There was a merging of the generations at Robson Community School (RCS) last week.
In the culmination of a relationship-building strategy that has developed over several years, about 50 seniors spent time at the school mingling with students in kindergarten through grade 4.
Back during COVID restrictions, when seniors were discouraged from socializing, IRIS (Increasing Recreation Involving Seniors) director Sandi McCreight and RCS child care worker Cherryl MacLeod hatched a plan to encourage local seniors and challenge local children.
The school kids made cards for special holidays and MacLeod would deliver them to McCreight to be included in gift bags and special deliveries for the seniors. The cards brought smiles to the recipients and taught the children about the meaning of community and supporting others.
Now that the days of restrictions are past, the partnership decided it was time for the two groups to meet in person.
Originally planned for just one day, the event was expanded to two days due to the number of people that signed up to participate.
McCreight said the purpose of the event was to “make connections, show both generations how important the other one is, create mutual respect and for kids to learn some general things about ageism.”
The seniors spent time in five different classes working side by side with the students in a range of activities including art, puzzles, games, word puzzles and even recess.
In the midst of the activities, there was a lot of conversation. Seniors helped kids, and kids helped seniors.
“I really try to embrace community with my kids,” said grade 3/4 teacher Theresa Pruss. “This is an extension out into the town community and an opportunity for the younger students to develop connections with an older generation and see what it means to be part of a community.”
“The biggest joy is when I see the interactions from the two such diverse generations and the kids have the ability to share and also listen.”
Pruss said she was thrilled to watch some of her students who usually don’t talk a lot open up to their new friends.
The students made comments like:
“I really like this set up, I’m glad we have visitors.”
“It’s nice having grannies here.”
“Can they come again tomorrow?”
To conclude the visit, the students and their visitors gathered in the community room for refreshments. While the younger students sat with the seniors, older students served coffee and refilled goody trays. And the room buzzed with chatter.
The seniors left gifts for all of the students — 200 hand-made pencil cases filled with IRIS♥RCS pencils, pens, notebooks, erase-elder-abuse erasers flashlights and cookies.
Funding for the event came from what has become known as the city’s “mystery money.” Back around Christmas 2021, an anonymous donor sent the Castlegar RCMP an envelope of cash with instructions to disperse as they saw fit around the community.
The RCMP is not allowed to distribute money, so they gave it to the city. Eventually, the money was given to IRIS. Kootenay Charters also supported the event by providing a free bus ride to get the seniors to the school.
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betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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