2020-2021
The Lazy Days of Summer are Coming !!
It is the season of fun in the sun! Beaches, BBQ’s, patios, lemonade, camping, swimming, ice cream, flip flops and sunglasses !!
Summertime, Summertime…
¨ Have you attended any summer festivals? K Days, Taste of Edmonton, Fringe Festival, outdoor concert, etc.??
¨ Where did you go on your most favorite summer vacation?
¨ Have you ever attended a Summer Camp? What did you do?
¨ What is your favorite ice-cream flavour?
¨ Do/Did you plant a garden in the summer? What do you grow?
¨ What is your favorite summer food and BBQ item?
¨ What is your favorite summer sport or past time?
¨ What is your most favorite thing to do in the summertime?
St. Theresa Catholic School & Bedford Village
École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) & Summerwood Village Retirement Residence
Lakeland Ridge School & Silver Birch Manor/Lodge
Family Visits
Family is anyone who loves you unconditionally!
Linking Generations invited our students to introduce a Family Member to their “linked” senior partner.
All About Family …
- How many generations are in your family today?
- Where did your family originate from before living in Canada?
- How many siblings did/do you have?
- How many children do you have? Grandchildren? Niece/Nephew?
- What is/was your most favorite family tradition?
- Where did you like vacationing with your family?
- Who did you take after the most … your mom or your dad?
- If you could hug one family member right now, who would it be?
New Horizons Charter School & Heartland Housing Silver Birch Haven Seniors Residences
Lakeland Ridge School & Silver Birch Manor/Lodge
Are you ready to play the world’s greatest word game?
Students and Seniors share an afternoon playing a wacky Mad Lib game with each other. teams asked each other for words to fill in the blanks to create a funny story.
Check out the videos too !
Today I went to the zoo. I saw a(n) (adjective) __(Noun) jumping up and down in its tree. He _(verb, past tense) _(adverb) through the large tunnel that led to its (adjective) _(noun). I got some peanuts and passed them through the cage to a gigantic gray (noun) towering above my head. Feeding that animal made me hungry. I went to get a _(adjective) scoop of ice cream. It filled my stomach. Afterwards I had to _(verb) _ (adverb) to catch our bus. When I got home I _(verb, past tense) my mom for a __(adjective) day at the zoo.
Lakeland Ridge School & Silver Birch Manor/Lodge
Videos of the Seniors and Students playing Mad Lib
One of the senior was heard saying “I have to read this out loud without laughing!. I’ve got tears in my eyes already from laughing.”
Spring is in the air !!!!
It is that time of year where the days are getting longer, the sun is feeling warmer, and the snow is melting. Spring has sprung!
Put your thinking cap on to complete the Spring Alphabet Challenge.
Enjoy some springtime and Easter conversations.
- What do you look forward to with the arrival of Spring?
- What first signs of Spring have you seen?
- What are some special memories of Spring as a child?
- What are some of your Easter traditions?
École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) & Clover Bar Lodge
New Horizons Charter School & Heartland Housing Silver Birch Haven Seniors Residences
Lakeland Ridge Junior High and Silver Birch Lodge
Bedford Village Seniors and St. Theresa Middle School Students
Summerwood Village Retirement Residence & École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
It’s time to start some fun conversations!
Sometimes it is fun wondering about having a choice. The seniors and students asked each other some “would you rather” questions.
Some of the questions were …
Would you Rather:
- go into the past and meet your ancestors or go into the future and meet your great-great grandchildren?
- have more time or more money?
- be able to talk with the animals or speak all foreign languages?
- lose your vision or your hearing?
- spend the night in a luxury hotel room or camping surrounded by beautiful scenery?
- be a kid your whole life or an adult your whole life?
- have a personal chef or a personal maid?
- have all traffic lights you approach be green or never have to stand in line again?
New Horizons Charter School & Heartland Housing Silver Birch Haven Seniors Residences
Lakeland Ridge Junior High and Silver Birch Lodge
Bedford Village Seniors and St. Theresa Middle School Students
Have you ever asked yourself “What if…?”
Here are some fun and quirky questions the seniors and students asked:
- What if you had a superpower, what would it be and why?
- What if you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
- What if you woke up suddenly because your house was on fire, what three things would you save as you ran outside?
- What if you could be an Olympic athlete, what sport would you compete in?
- What if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
- What if you woke up and were twenty years younger? Older?
- What if you could live in a TV show, which one would it be?
École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) & Summerwood Village Retirement Residence
Lakeland Ridge Junior High and Silver Birch Lodge
Bedford Village Seniors and St. Theresa Middle School Students
Semester 2 First Visits for Linking Generations Seniors and Students
This spring is the start of a new semester for the students. It is already much different than last year. Last year the seniors and students met each other in person. This year, virtual get togethers are the norm. However, the excitement of meeting new “linked” seniors and students is still there!
École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) & Clover Bar Lodge
Time to play “Two Truths and a Lie”!
Students and Seniors came to the visit prepared with 3 statements about themselves; two were to be truthful and one to be a fib.
They tried to fool each other, and in doing so, they sure learnt a lot about their “linked” partners.
Bedford Village Seniors and St. Theresa Middle School Students
Lakeland Ridge Junior High and Silver Birch Lodge
Bringing Smiles to Capital Care Strathcona – Heritage House
As Linking Generations continues to navigate a world of virtual connections, it is imperative that we keep our students and seniors connected.
This past week, students from Strathcona Christian Academy High School leadership class brought smiles to the seniors living in Capital Care Strathcona- Heritage House. The students spent 45 min in the wind going from window to window in the different courtyards to show seniors the posters that they made and to bring smiles and joy to the senior residents.
Matthias Chueng, Science Department Lead Teacher, also delivered 60 care packages to Capital Care Heritage House that the leadership class had made for all the residents .
The seniors were so happy to see the students waving their posters, they would smile, laugh, clap and give them a thumbs up! The seniors truly enjoyed the afternoon surprise !
We at Linking Generations are so proud of our Strathcona Christian Academy High School students for their caring, their generosity of spirit and their compassion towards the seniors in our community.
Strathcona Christian Academy Students Send Greetings to Seniors at Capital Care Strathcona- Heritage House
Many of our linked High School students have created new friendships with our seniors by getting to know each other through a letter writing program.
High School students write twice monthly letters to their “linked” seniors, and some seniors even undertake writing back to the students!
Good Bye 2020, Hello 2021
It is a new year, time to dream of new beginnings & say goodbye to COVID! Our seniors and students shared some thoughts to ponder & dream about for when this pandemic is over.
When COVID is over….
- Who will you visit?
- Where will you go & what will you do?
- What will you buy?
- What will you remember the most about COVID?
- What will you be most thankful/grateful for?
- What will you make more time for?
- What was a positive thing that came out of last year?
- Did you learn any new skills or hobbies during this time that you will continue to do?
- Will you meet in person any new friends or relatives you met virtually that you never met before COVID?
- What have you discovered about yourself or what surprised you?
- What would you change in your life? Or how has COVID-19 changed you or your goals?
St. Theresa Catholic School & Bedford Village
Lakeland Ridge Junior High and Silver Birch Lodge
Linking Generations celebrates a Virtual Christmas with our Seniors and Students.
Conversation and laughter was shared as discussions were held about Christmas traditions past and present.
St. Theresa Catholic School & Bedford Village
New Horizons Charter School & Heartland Housing New Haven Seniors Residences
École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) & Clover Bar Lodge
Lakeland Ridge Junior High and Silver Birch Lodge
Special Moments
While we believe every moment between our seniors and students is special, there are some moments that are extra special— like centennial birthdays!
Happy 100th Birthday, Joanne!
This is an incredible milestone, but not nearly as incredible as you are.
With 100 years of priceless moments under your belt, your heart must be full of joy. You deserve every precious memory.
Happy Birthday from your OLPH Linking Generations students and all of us at Linking Generations !
Happy 100th Birthday, Edith!
Congratulations on this amazing milestone. May this day be filled with sunshine and smiles, laughter and love. Have a very Happy 100th Birthday. May every minute of your 100th Birthday be filled with everlasting joy and pleasure
Linking Generations Seniors Get Their Day Brightened with a Visit From Lassie
More and more seniors are being segregated into care facilities where they feel isolated, lonely, confined and they feel they are no longer contributing members of their community.
For the few seniors that were fortunate yesterday to meet and touch Lassie; a Special Golden Doodle Therapy Dog; this puppy visit brightened their day.
We never know what it may be to draw our seniors out of the inclusion they feel, however we want to believe that Lassie made their day brighter!
An Early Spring
Many seniors are isolated, and they welcome spring eagerly. Spring allows our seniors to venture back outside, sit in courtyards or relax with the sun shining on their face. Our planting visit with our seniors and students brought excitement and anticipation of placing their newly potted plants on window sills, balcony’s and even in the courtyards.
A heartfelt thank you to Greenland Garden Centre for ensuring we had spring annuals available a bit earlier than anticipated!
Summerwood Village Retirement Residence & École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
Heartland Housing: Silver Birch Manor & Lodge & Lakeland Ridge Junior High School
Bedford Village & St. Theresa Middle School
Senior Students
Ecole Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Students invited their senior partners to visit them at school, and become a ‘Senior Student”.
This was such an amazing visit- Our seniors were so excited, and as the bus pulled up to OLPH School, the seniors were waving from their seats like they were actual students once again. They all were so ready for fun and a tour of the school. One of our seniors actually got called over the loud speaker, to “come to the office”.
This special visit could not of been made possible without all the help and coordination received from principal Alyre Morin, and Summerwood Seniors Health & Wellness Director Nicole Davis.
Talent Shows
We all have our special skills and passions and what better way to show them off than a talent show! Our seniors and students planned and held talents shows, show casing many of the talents of both senior and students alike.
Heartland Housing: Silver Birch Manor & Lodge & Lakeland Ridge School
Bedford Village & St. Theresa Catholic School
Fun & Games
Sometimes all it takes is a board game to connect. Thank you to Shell Scotford for supporting this portion of our programs!
Heartland Housing: Silver Birch Manor & Lodge & Lakeland Ridge School
Games Day with St. Theresa Catholic School and Bedford Village
Chartwell Country Cottage Retirement Residence & Archbishop Junior High
Bedford Village & St. Theresa Catholic School
Chartwell Country Cottage Retirement Residence & Archbishop Jordan High School
Summerwood Village Retirement Residence & École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
Seniors from Summerwood Seniors Residence have a wild and crazy afternoon of Balloon Volleyball with our Linking Generations students!
It is wonderful to witness our seniors enjoying themselves and becoming active again ! It is amazing to see that although they are seniors, they have the desire and will to W-I-N!
Heartland Housing: Silver Birch Manor & Lodge & Lakeland Ridge School
Valentines Day
Summerwood Village Retirement Residence & École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
Look at the pictures of the scrapbook that one of the seniors brought to show the students with all the old valentines in it ! They were awesome. From 1948-1950 !
Some of the valentines are 71 years old and still were vibrant in color.
Thank you for sharing these priceless memories, June!
Heartland Housing: Silver Birch Manor & Lodge & Lakeland Ridge School
Bedford Village & St. Theresa Catholic School on Valentine’s Day
Getting Crafty!
Creating crafts is not only relaxing, it helps with fine motor skills, keeps the mind active, and is fun! Below are some of the times our linked seniors and students have gotten crafty.
Sherwood Care & Salisbury High School
Summerwood Village Retirement Residence & École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
Bedford Village & St. Theresa Middle School
Seniors from Bedford Village and linked students from St. Theresa Middle School share some private moments and laughter as they look back on the visits they have had in the last ten months !
Clover Bar Lodge & École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
Homemade birdhouses can provide wild birds with a safe place to build nests and raise their young, and building birdhouses can be an enjoyable craft. Our seniors from Clover Bar Lodge and our students from Ecole Our Lady of Perpetual Help had a great afternoon as they prepared for the spring birds to arrive and have new houses to fly into.
Summerwood Village Retirement Residence & École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
Our students from Ecole Our Lady of Perpetual Help and our seniors from Summerwood Seniors Residence had a great afternoon as they painted home made lawn and garden ornament signs together. These beautiful handcrafted works of art will be displayed within Summerwood Seniors Residence over the summer months.
Clover Bar Lodge & École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
What started with a blank canvas, ended up being the artists dream picture!
We guided you with instructions, however the end result was all your own work !
Chartwell Country Cottage Retirement Residence & Archbishop Jordan Catholic High School
Bedford Village & St. Theresa Catholic School
Bedford Village & St. Theresa Middle School
“What does that mean?”
Like fashion, slang changes with the times.
Our seniors and students explored the different slang expressions used by youth, young and middle-aged adults, and seniors to describe the same items or ideas over the past 70 years. This activity heightened the awareness of how our written and spoken language has changed over the past 10 to 70 years.
Chartwell Country Cottage Retirement Residence & Archbishop Jordan Highschool
Summerwood Village Retirement Residence & École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
Chartwell Country Cottage Retirement Residence & Archbishop Jordan High School
Students and seniors shared an afternoon reminiscing about songs from their youth compared to music of today’s youth. At one point the whole room was singing along to “Country Roads” !
Chartwell Country Cottage Retirement Residence & Archbishop Highschool Celebrate Halloween
Winter Festivities
Creating new Holiday Traditions between our Youth and Seniors
Our “linked seniors and students” created homemade holiday cards together this month, while reminiscing together what holidays were like for the senior’s years and years ago.
All of our finished cards were then were left with the seniors so they could share their own Christmas cheer with their friends and family.
May you be blessed with the most important gifts this Christmas. Our students consider their linked seniors’ friendship to be a gift, and for our students and seniors , this friendship is one of the most treasured gifts.
Merry Christmas!
Seniors and Students Visit the County of Strathcona Festival of Trees
Linking Generations was presented with a wonderful opportunity from Festival Place Cultural Art Foundation to do something special for our seniors and students this holiday season.
The County of Strathcona Festival of Trees an existing event, being held in Sherwood Park on Friday November 23rd and Saturday November 24th, 2018 at Festival Place.
Generally, the public is not able to attend the event during the first day as the sponsors and committees are setting up in preparation for the Gala which is held the first night. However, Linking Generations was given special permission to attend on Friday November 23rd, 2018 with a group of students and seniors for a private showing.
It was so exciting to bring together our seniors from Bedford Village and SilverBirch Manor/Lodge to meet their students from St. Theresa Catholic School and students from Lakeland Ridge Junior High and wander amongst the beautiful Christmas trees together. One senior even remarked “ What happened to the trees ‘we’ use to have.. covered with strings of popcorn?”. The Cultural Art Foundation allowed our students to have a small competition between the two schools and each school gathered on stage to sing carols for the seniors.
Having a structured visit outside the senior’s facilities was a treat in itself.
Seniors and Students working on Gingerbread Men
Of what origin is this fairy tale?
What exactly is a gingerbread man?
At the end of the fairy tale, what eats the Gingerbread Man?
The Gingerbread Man had a catchphrase.
Which of these words in the following sentence is not correct?
“Run, run, run as fast as you can! You won’t catch me, I’m The Gingerbread Man!”
Who does the Gingerbread Man escape from first?
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