Science fairs and book reports are usually the extent of projects for elementary school children, and actual community work seems to come later on in high school when students need to build up their college applications. But Frank R. Conwell School on Bright Street in Downtown Jersey City has been bringing local senior citizens to the classrooms so that students can interact with the community at an early age and possibly begin a lifelong interest in community service. This special project, called Bridging the Millennium, has students and senior citizens reading, talking and dancing together in school to build a stronger understanding and rapport between the two very different generations, said Principal May Ann Wallace. Local seniors were invited to the classroom to read stories, dance, sing and perform arts and crafts with the pre-K through eighth graders twice a week during March and April. “It gives the kids an opportunity to get to know the seniors in their neighborhood,” said Wallace. “They share activities and learn from each other.” One of the more special projects the students share with the seniors is the creation of a mural. The Artistically Talented Class has been painting a mural over the past few months that visually depicts how life and school has changed from the early 20th century to the 21st century. The piece is expected to be completed in May and will be presented at a local senior citizen building. First grade teacher Camille Goshulak said she was happy to open her classroom to the seniors and has even invited her 72-year-old mother, who was also once a teacher. “The seniors get to meet and work directly with the students and school personnel,” said Goshulak “So it’s really about the students and seniors being interactive with the community. It’s great for the older people, because they feel needed and wanted, and the kids love them. I know my class was excited about my mom coming in. ” Goshulak’s mom, Helen Savia, said she’s been having fun in her daughter’s classroom. “I love seeing the children,” said Savia. “There’s no one in my life and nothing to do at home, so this gives me something to do. And it’s great to work with my daughter. She’s like a mom to the kids.” Goshulak said that the best part of the program has been having more adults per student in class. “The students are very receptive to all of the seniors,” said Goshulak. “They have been very respectful and enthusiastic. And the more seniors we get to participate the better, because that’s just better individual adult attention for each student.” Senior Ann D’Elia, 85 has been dancing with Conwell’s second graders over the past few weeks for the Bridging the Millennium project. “We’ve been line dancing, doing the electric slide, the loco motion, the hokey pokey and the Twist,” said D’Elia. “But we shouldn’t have done the Twist, because they went wild. It’s been fun.” Second Grade teacher Betty Dubinin says that the dancing with D’Elia has done wonders for the children. “A lot of these children aren’t exposed to seniors, because they have been separated from their grandparents and families in other countries,” said Dubinin. “They’re learning that seniors have a lot to offer, and I don’t know if they would know this without a project like this.” Second grader Melonie Pagan, 7, said it was great to dance with a senior. “It’s like dancing with my grandmother,” said Pagan. The two-month project recently ended, and a reception for all the participating seniors will be held in May. Vocal and instrumental performances will be presented by the school choir and band as well as gift boxes for the seniors prepared by the eighth grade students. School sponsor BJ’s Wholesale Club will present the school with a $1,000 check for the competition of the project.
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