The Oyster Bay–East Norwich School District understands the importance of community in the character building component of the educational program. It makes use of one of the town’s most valuable resources: its seniors.
The Vernon Leaders Club recently made a visit to the Life Enrichment Center to interact and learn from the people who can share eyewitness accounts of historical events.
Under the leadership and direction of Vernon teachers Meredith Schwarz, Jennifer Doxsee and Todd Balch, the sixth-graders spent a rich and rewarding afternoon in the senior center.
The visit began with the students spending time individually with seniors working together on making posters of their family trees. While working on the family trees, the seniors were able to share stories with the children about their younger days. The students were very appreciative and fascinated by hearing the stories of the 20th century.
Much to the surprise of one of the Vernon Leaders, Steven McEvoy, his great aunt, Camilla D’Angelis Falzarano, is a member of the Life Enrichment Center. The two of them worked together on her family tree. McEvoy is a triplet with sisters Bianca and Skylar. His great aunt is a graduate of Oyster Bay High School. It was a particularly meaningful and rewarding experience for both of them.
The seniors were so excited about working on this project that when the work was done, they wanted to share their experience with everyone. A microphone was passed around and many shared their stories and showed off their family trees.
The students ended their visit with music as Todd Balch led the Leaders in a sign language demonstration as the students signed the lyrics of the songs.
