A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
Washington Elementary School first-grader Landyn Doble hands a rose to Marylu Young Thursday, Feb. 14, as part of a Wish of a Lifetime program at Evergreen Knoll Senior Living in Cloquet. In the background, Lindsay Lindquist hands a flower to Carolyn Bassett.
Isabelle Rasmussen opens her arms to the audience at Evergreen Knoll during a performance of some fun songs on Valentine's Day. Above are fellow first-graders Falyn Mead and Ayda Spender. Shari Waldriff accompanied the students on guitar and piano.
Doris Dent talks with an enraptured Landyn Doble during a visit from Washington Elementary School students in Mrs. Schultz's first-grade and Mrs. Rikkola's second-grade classes.
It was the perfect match for Valentine's Day.
The Washington Elementary schoolchildren came bearing roses, valentines, a youngster's open curiosity about the world and the gift of song.
They were received with patience, smiles and an elder's appreciation of little ones.
First-grade teacher Julie Schultz said her students were super-excited to go back to Evergreen Knoll Senior Living - a place they've visited before - and see the residents again on Valentine's Day last week.
"They each made a valentine art decoration as a card, gave out roses, and sang special songs," Schultz said. "There were many smiles and hugs given during the hour that we were there!"
Evergreen executive director Terri Langevin said the Wish of a Lifetime organization contacted Evergreen Knoll two years ago, wanting to make Valentine's Day a day they would never forget by sending a "cupid crew" to deliver roses to deserving seniors. Then they wanted to do it again this year.
And what better partners than Washington Elementary School teachers Schultz and second-grade teacher Cathy Rikkola, who have been working with Evergreen to bring students and residents together for the past five years?
"Our residents love and thrive off the youthful energy the children bring to us," Langevin said. "Both children and residents benefit from these visits."
Schultz agreed, noting that they normally visit the senior living facility during the Christmas season when they sing carols, bring handmade gifts and decorate (and eat) cookies together. While it's something fun to do, it is also a community service project which fulfills state standards as part of the school's social studies curriculum.
This time all the students wore special "cupid crew" T-shirts for the occasion.
"The students really enjoy going there and the residents are excited to see the kids," Schultz said. "When we ask the students about their favorite activity they did during the year, many will say the trip to Evergreen Knoll because the residents were so nice to them and that they enjoyed making the residents smile and be happy!"
