Students at West Tualatin View Elementary in Oregon recently met a group of senior residents they had been writing to throughout the school year.
The third graders, part of the Beaverton School District, spent months exchanging letters with residents at Touchmark in the West Hills, a retirement community located just down the street from their school.
At the end of the year, they finally met in person.
For many of the students, it was the first time seeing the people behind the letters. Lydia Chen, a third grader, said the experience felt different from what they had imagined, since they had only known their pen pals through written notes.
The visit was also meaningful for the residents.
Ethel Henry, a 95-year-old at Touchmark, said she viewed the students as an extension of her family. With only one grandchild and one great-grandchild, she said the program gave her the chance to connect with more young people.
The group of seniors, all in their nineties, had limited opportunities to interact with children in recent years. Through the letters, they became familiar with the students, which made the in-person meeting something they looked forward to.
Staff at the retirement community said the program reflects a broader effort to encourage intergenerational interaction. Teachers at the school also noted that the exchange helped students develop their writing while giving them a chance to connect with people outside their usual environment.
Following the success of the program, the school is considering continuing it next year.
What started in the classroom has continued outside of it, with some students and residents staying in touch.
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