Freedom Pointe Host Providence Academy Adopt-A-Grandparent Program

(October 28^th, 2009) –This week Providence Academy students began an Adopt-A-Grandparent program with Freedom Point Assisted Living facility in Minnetonka, MN.  The Academy’s 6^th grade students made their first of multiple planned visits to Freedom Pointe where they were introduced to their “grandparent” with whom they spent an afternoon.

Freedom Pointe and Providence Academy have enjoyed a meaningful relationship built around music.  Often students of the Band Director, Nicole Clark, have performed for residents during peak holidays like Christmas and Easter.  Clark and the Director of Life Enrichment at Freedom Pointe, Marie Kessler, partnered on this new program.  “It’s really wonderful,” said Clark, “we offered to expand our relationship and Marie was excited about the program.”

Kessler named the program using the word grandparent to specifically evoke a meaningful relationship between residents and students.  “A program like this helps residents by increasing self-esteem and social interaction while bringing back positive memories of their own children and grandchildren.”

“We have planned visits for December, Valentines Day and May Day,” said sixth grade teacher and advisor Sarah Luxem, “The students will be with the same resident during all of our visits.”  She also mentioned that students will write monthly pen pal letters to their grandparent as a way to further develop their relationship.

With future events already on the calendar Kessler made note of the resident’s excitement, “The visits give the residents something to look forward to, something to talk about with their family and friends and they provide an opportunity for the residents to share their lifetime of knowledge with a student.”

One Providence student commented about the experience.  “I really enjoyed my grandparent.  She was fun spirited and eager to learn more about us.  I learned that she has four sons and was born in a town of 100 people.”  He hopes to be someone resident Catherine can talk to since three of her sons live outside the state.

“My grandparent was great,” said another sixth grade student, “She was fun, nice and acted just like a real grandparent.”  The student mentioned how excited she was to return to Freedom Pointe to visit with her new friend, “It gives us both a chance to get to know someone new and to make each other happy.”

Providence Academy students had a great time getting to know Freedom Pointe resident Audrey while participating in the first of many planned visits which are a part of  the schools Adopt-A-Grandparent service program.

During a recent Adopt-A-Grandparent program visit, Providence Academy 6^th grade students got to know Catherine, a resident at Freedom Pointe Assisted Living in Minnetonka, MN.

| News & Events | About the Academy | Lower School | Middle School | Upper School | Curriculum & Extra-Curricular | Admission & Tuition | Sports Information | Contact Us | Home |