NILES — Through a project called Bridging the Generational Gap, kindergartners in Bonnie Prenkert’s Eastside Connections class spent eight months bonding with seniors at Woodland Terrace.

The project finished off last week, after the 23 participating students gave a final performance and presentation to seniors Thursday, May 24. As part of that presentation, students sang songs for the seniors and talked about what they had learned through the program.

Prenkert said the idea for Bridging the Gap evolved from research she discovered that indicated that fewer children are growing up with grandparents nearby. Prenkert said she hoped the program would give students a connection with a senior and help to bridge a generational gap. 

During their learning time at the assisted living center, Prenkert turned the assisted living’s conference room into a classroom and the residents into active participants. The kindergartners went about their math and reading lessons, crafts, music and gym time surrounded by the residents who live there. Some residents watched from the sidelines and others participated in the classroom activities.

Prenkert said the activity was enough to draw one resident out of her apartment each week.

“My hope is that our learners will continue to visit the residents that they have gotten to know after our year is over,” Prenkert said. “This has become a valuable lesson for everyone, from our parents to the administrative teams, to the residents and the learners.” 

With the support of Woodland Terrace Administration and staff and Niles Schools Administration this experience has become a memory that will last a lifetime, Prenkert said.