Aldinga Beach B-7 school connects virtually with isolated retirement communities

For the Aldinga Beach B-7 primary school on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, COVID-19 self-isolation practises have forced students and teachers to reconsider what it means to connect with their community.
Alexandra Schulz, a reception teacher at Aldinga Beach B-7 primary school tells SAcommunity, “back at the end of term two, some of my students, the other reception teachers in our school, and I, were feeling very sad for the people living in retirement villages, nursing homes and other facilities as we knew that they were not able to have visitors for a while.”

Mrs Schulz explains that the school’s interest in the lives of older, isolated people affected by the COVID-19 quarantine, began when reception teacher, Shannon Reseigh, spoke to her class about how her grandmother could not receive visitors. In response to the story, Miss Reseigh’s class compiled a letter to cheer her grandmother up, this small act of kindness sparking a conversation between the reception and year one teachers and inspiring them to reach out to nearby residential homes.

 
A Simple Act of Kindness Incites Community Connection

Hoping to brighten the lives of their elderly community, the remarkable reception and year one classes of Aldinga Beach B-7 school, led by teachers, Alexandra Schulz, Prue Gobbett, Sarah Pilmore, Shannon Reseigh, Kimberly Freer and Ella Lonergan, began painting and delivering pictures to the residents of The Aldinga Shores Retirement Community, and Perry Park Residential Care Home.

“We brainstormed what images would make us feel happy or "cheered up," before painting these ideas and leaving a little message on each painting,” said Mrs Schulz. In letters sent to the reception classes from the residents of The Perry Park Residential Care Home, residents responded to the children’s artwork: “I loved your painting. It was very bright and cheerful,” stated one resident. Another thanked the children, “I’m missing my family during these times but your picture has certainly made me smile.” Through the heartfelt responses of residents, and advice of Sara Taylor, head of lifestyle at Aldinga Shores, the classes were prompted to connect to their community even further.
 
Aldinga Beach B-7 Uses Technology to Engage with Residents

Whilst the classes of Aldinga Beach B-7 continue to create and distribute gorgeous artwork to the residents of their community, Tuesday May 19th marked an additional step in providing support and connection during quarantine, the first Zoom session between the reception and year one classes and a resident of their elderly community.

“We planned on having a quick chat and asking the residents some questions about themselves and their life in the retirement community, as well as answering any questions they might have,” Alexandra Schulz tells SAcommunity. So far, the reception classes have spoken to three residents, Ms Schulz stating that the children of her class were so excited to “facetime” the residents, they could hardly keep still, jumping and excitedly asking questions as the resident showed pictures of his life, and the children’s own artwork his facility had received.

The children have begun bringing along pictures of their own families to their Zoom sessions, the activity providing a new experience for the residents, and sparking discussions among the children about “the olden days.”
 
Maintaining Connections with Residents of Aldinga Shores and Perry Park

The school hopes to maintain their relationship with Aldinga Shores and Perry Park, whether through letters or Zoom sessions. Alexandra Schulz reflected upon the importance of her school’s connection with its elderly community, telling the SAcommunity team:

“The rich conversations that have emerged from this exercise is a testament to the residents of Aldinga Shores, Perry Park, and our students… We were aiming to give something to a group of people that we thought might need a cheer up. What we got back were beautiful connections and a wealth of information for our children's inquisitive minds.”