Senior citizens reminisce about days in one-room schoolhouse

By MARLA K. KUHLMAN ThisWeek Community News ThisWeek Community News Wednesday March 12, 2014 9:51 AM

The old school bell tolled March 5, when Gahanna Senior Center members visited Lincoln Elementary School and the recently relocated and restored one-room Jefferson Township School No. 2.

The occasion was part of an intergenerational partnership program the schools and Gahanna seniors forged 20 years ago, said Dale Foor, coordinator of community services. Every first Wednesday of the month, students visit the senior citizens; once a year, the senior citizens travel to one of the schools.

Senior center director Danise Hall said the monthly program begins in October and ends in May.

"Only once a year do we come to a school," she said. "The rest of the time it's at the senior center. I love to find out the likes of the foreign-exchange students when they visit."

The senior citizens were paired with Lincoln fourth-grade ambassadors, who guided them through the cafeteria to experience modern-day school life.

They enjoyed lunch together in the library instead of the cafeteria, though.

In addition to enjoying a menu of cheese bread, hummus, tomato soup, strawberries and milk, the students and seniors chatted about everyday life.

Fourth-grader Luciano Frissora, 9, visited with Jean Langkamp.

"I learned about lots of things," Luciano said. "Senior citizens are full of wisdom. They're nice and have fun."

Originally posted here:
Senior citizens reminisce about days in one-room schoolhouse