June 3, 2005

Distant generations share letter2s and much more

O. B. Whaley fifth-graders bring cheer to seniors at residential care facility

By Andrea Boyd Ball
Times Intern

Cindy Brown wanted to contribute more to her students’ lives than reading, writing and arithmetic.

Cindy Brown, center, spends time with two pen pals, Joey Gonzalez (left) and Shirley Sanchez.

She wanted to add human understanding and the sense that they can bring dignity to the lives of others. So, 15 years ago she began a pen pal program and a discussion between her O.B Whaley Elementary School students and residents of Skyline Healthcare Center, a residential care facility for seniors.

The students, fourth- then fifth-graders, adopt one of the Skyline residents as a sort of extra grandparent, whom they write once a month, prepare holiday mementos for and visit as a class each December during the holiday season, and in May just before school breaks for the summer.

The seniors have varying degrees of self-sufficiency. Some are wheelchair-bound, some have failing vision or hearing problems and some don’t speak quite clearly, which can sometimes be disconcerting for kids. Brown preempts those feelings with an orientation about the pen pal program when they first join her class.

As fourth graders, students watch a television news video about the pen pal program and receive instruction on how to behave while at the senior facility. “We teach children about being careful and how to push a wheelchair slowly,” said Brown.

The children are encouraged to ask their pen pal questions about what it was like when they were kids. “It’s something to relate to for both people,” Brown added.

Krystal Ferrer (left) and Madeline Morton sport matching visors Krystal made for the two of them.

One student who asked about her pen pal’s childhood “learned about San Jose and how it was covered in beautiful orchards, as was much of California,” said Brown. “My student saw her pen pal as an individual with a rich childhood and [the experience] helped bridge generational gaps.”

Gracia Palacios, an aide to one of Brown’s students with special needs, has observed the pen pal program for two years and she’s impressed. “Many kids don’t understand older people, people with disabilities. When they interact with Skyline residents they understand why maybe sometimes older people might yell out loud. They learn they shouldn’t laugh,” said Palacios. “My daughter is a third-grader at the school, and I’m going to request that she be in Mrs. Brown’s class so she can benefit from this program.”

Accornic to Francis Najar, assistant activity director at Skyline, chatter heightens as the residents look forward to the class’s visits.

When the students arrive at Skyline, all the pen pals gather in a room full of light with big windows bringing the outside indoors. Somewhat quiet but busy chatter fills the room as life events are shared. The children have a gentle demeanor as they sit with their dear friends and attend to their needs.

Pen pals concur that a great time is had when the kids visit. Resident Madeline Morton says of her pen pal, Krystal Ferrer, “She’s such a great gal, so well-behaved. After they leave, I miss her so much.”

“It’s cool to hang-out here. No one’s better than Mrs. Morton,” said Krystal. “Everyone fights over her.”
Both insist they will keep in touch next year as Krystal moves on to middle school.

Cindy Brown, teacher and mentor, prepares lunch for her students and their pen pals.

There are three seniors who have been at Skyline from near the beginning of the pen pal program, a mother-daughter pair, 101-year-old Marie Greaver and Esther Luckenbill, 81, and resident Shirley Sanchez.

Greaver, in spite of her hearing disability, communicates to the children through alert eyes and a bright smile.

Luckenbill is quite simply a card. “Jasmin [Valdovinos] is great, has a nice personality and she writes me about once a month,” Luckenbill said of her pen pal. “I always intend to write her back, but I get so busy. That’s my excuse anyway.”

Sanchez, who’s legally blind, has a treasured bulletin board with the pictures of every pen pal she’s had over the last 14 years. “I’ve got Joey [Gonzalez’s] picture and Christmas wreath on my bulletin board,” Sanchez said about her pen pal. “Next year, I’m going to have Joey’s little sister as my pen pal.”

Brown has several students who have continued relationships with their pen pals after they moved beyond O.B. Whaley. “They learn no matter what they end up doing in their lives, it is important that they help others,” said Brown.

Teacher Cindy Brown nominated to Who’s Who

Cindy Brown has been nominated to the Who’s Who Among American Teachers for 2004-2005. Who’s Who honors those educators who took the time to lead, inspire and demand excellence.

The teachers have been nominated by students from Who’s Who Among American High School Students®, Who’s Who Among American High School Students-Sports Edition and students honored in The National Dean’s List®. This gives outstanding students the opportunity to honor those teachers who have contributed to their lives and their futures.