How can Senior Citizens Be More Active in our Schools?

by Lynn K. McMullin

At a recent Board of Education meeting, this question was posed by one of our guests, and it’s a good one: How can our senior citizens be more involved in our schools? We would love to include senior citizens in a variety of ways and with flexible schedules. Join us once a day, once a week, once a month, once a year! Sometimes, we even come to you with programs at the Senior Center and would love your input about what you’d like to see more often.


Rather than answer this question school-by-school, I’ve grouped the possibilities for involvement in the school by interests, such as mentoring or working with clubs. All the contact numbers for volunteering are at the bottom of this posting.

We DO need mentors for young people!

Cherry Brook Primary School (grades K – 3) would appreciate seniors during lunchtime to help our littlest students open their milk cartons and snack packages, to sit with them while they eat, to talk to them as grandparents would, to promote intergenerational conversations. Cherry Brook Primary would always welcome assistance with read-alouds in the classrooms and with art projects, and especially on days when indoor recess is a must. Or, senior volunteers might prefer to help in the hallways in the afternoon at bus-time, saying “goodbye” and “see you tomorrow” to our littlest guests.

Canton Intermediate School (grades 4 – 6) is always looking for more senior citizens to volunteer as Friday morning greeters. This is an ongoing tradition and the kids and teachers love it! There is also a program, through the town’s Senior Center, in which senior citizens pair up with students once a week in the Talented and Gifted Program to complete writing projects.

Canton High School would welcome seniors willing to serve as mentors and tutors to students, particularly in the Canton Alternative Academy where mentors might work with students on real-life skills such as interviewing, communicating in the workplace, providing customer service, and so on. Canton Alternative Academy meets in the afternoon – early evening (from 3:00 - 6:00) and compassionate, caring mentors could make a real difference.


Are you interested in playing chess with students?

All four schools expressed an interest in senior citizens helping out with or starting up a chess club. Last week’s blog mentioned the academic and social success that students at Vaux Middle School, Philadelphia, achieved through chess, so this is a very timely request. Chess gives kids what is called “intellectual capital,” as it builds critical thinking and problem-solving skills. And, it’s fun!

Cherry Brook has an established Chess Club with about 80 students, and last year three students went on to state-level competition. The Cherry Brook Club, in its 7th year, is starting up again on January 13th, and it meets every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:15 until March 31st.

We’d love to continue the success of Chess Club at CIS and the middle and high schools, so an individual or group of volunteers willing to start up a Chess Club would be an asset.  A Bridge Club or Cribbage Club is another possibility, and afterschool in the high school library is the ideal time and location for a new club to meet.

Why not attend student events? You’re invited!

Senior citizens are always welcome at our band and choral concerts, athletic events, and school plays. The high school Chamber Singers has an all-day concert tour around Canton on December 9th, and the full concert schedule is available on the high school website, by clicking on “Canton Music” and then “Music Calendar.” The PRISMS Concert is one highlight of the high school concert schedule. The evening is designed by the students and is always spectacular! This year’s PRISMS concert is scheduled for February 5th at 7:30 (rain date the 7th). Other events to watch for are the very popular “Concert in the Park” at Mills Pond on June 8th at 6:00 and the Senior Citizen Prom on June 10th at 3:00 in the Community Center.

The athletic calendar and daily events calendar are also good sources of information for inexpensive and fun events. Both calendar links are above this blog link on our webpage. For any of these events, you can also call the high school for a free ticket or even a ride, if you need one.

Have you considered auditing a course?

A course called “Surfing for Seniors” in which students taught seniors more about the Internet, just finished up at the high school. It met once a week on Wednesday afternoons. It will be offered again in the spring. But there are other interesting courses you might want to consider in areas such as technology education, art, and creative writing. High school courses held in the afternoon, during Periods E, F, and G, don’t rotate, so they meet at the same time every day. You might want to ask about courses held specifically during the afternoon.

For more information about any of these ideas, or if you have an idea of your own, please contact:


Tina McCarthy, Cherry Brook Primary School -- 693-7721
Lori Carlson, Canton Intermediate School -- 693-7717
Nan Bartlett, Canton Middle School -- 693-7712
Lisa Davidson, Canton High School -- 693-7707