New program will bring seniors and students together at Kings

Warwick - Kings Elementary’s Compact Team is working on a new program for senior citizens, called the Senior Pal Program. The team is made up of teachers (Missy Jones, Susanne Desrochers and Jean Laroe); community members (Linda Card and Stephen Gaffin); parents (Denise Terhune and Debbie Kantor); Mary Carpino, a CSEA member, and Sandra Wood, the principal of Kings Elementary. The objective of this program is to have senior citizens come in and spend time with the students, from kindergarten to the fifth grade. The citizens who will be coming in will work with the children in different activities, ranging from group discussions to homework help. Seniors will also be asked to share some of their talents, hobbies and heritage. The people organizing the program have a number of hopes and expectations: Teacher Missy Jones said: “I would like this to promote respect for the older generations.” Parent Denise Terhune said: “This will be a win-win situation. Senior citizens will benefit from community involvement, while the less-fortunate children with no grandparents will benefit.” CSEA member Mary Carpino added: “Having senior pals incorporated into the educational system is very good because they have so much to offer.” The Compact Team will working closely with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. The volunteers will come into Kings for two hours every month at minimum and will receive cost-free accident, liability and excess auto insurance while on volunteer duty. To sign up for the program or for more information, call 845-987-3150 at Kings Elementary.