Assisted Living and Long Term Care Residents at the Mineral Community Hospital in Superior had visitors from the St. Regis School’s 4th and 5th graders.  The students were part of the “Roaring Readers” group, taught by teacher Diane Gingerich.  

“The students were assigned to write an essay about what they are thankful for,” said Gingerich.  She then asked Community Hospital’s, Monte Turner, if they could come and read to the seniors as a class project.  

Hospital Activity Director, Cathy Jones, gathered residents in the Day Room and the students read each of their essays to the group. After the reading, everyone enjoyed refreshments.  Gingerich said that this is a great project because it helps students to “understand just how lucky they are to have what they have and that people really do need each other.”

The seniors were very excited to have the students come for a visit.  Gingerich said that one gentleman remarked that he never receives visitors and that this meant a lot to him.  The students were so touched that when they got back to school they immediately petitioned the principal and asked if they could do it once a month for the rest of the school year.

“It was very touching,” said Gingerich, “it made me proud.”

Monthly visited were approved and Gingerich said that other assignments may be both writing and performing, or some other language arts related project.