Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

By Jill Sperling

GOLDEN STAR AWARD

Kamloops elementary students find common bond with Westsyde seniors — cribbage

May 30, 2019 | 4:28 PM

KAMLOOPS — Arthur Stevenson Elementary School is one of six recipients of the Golden Star Award from the B.C. Retired Teachers’ Association.

The award for Outstanding Program recognizes Sharon Parker’s Grade 4 class.

The students have learned to play cribbage. They play with the residents at the Hamlets at Westsyde once every couple of months.

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“It’s really good for the kids for the math,” Parker said. “It’s also good for their social skills and it’s really nice to come down and interact with the seniors.”

The award also comes with a $1,500 grant.

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

“We’re going to use that to keep the program going and expand a little bit,” Parker said.

Hamlets resident Betty Peamish delights in the cribbage games with the students.

“We love it when the children come here,” Peamish said. “They keep us young. It’s really enjoyable, and I love to play cribbage. I’ve won five cribbage tournaments now, so I play a lot of cribbage.”

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

Former school trustee Maureen Kalynchuk says the intergenerational visits are learning opportunities for everyone involved.

“I think in society today there’s too little of this going on where seniors and students get together and they each learn about each other even though they’re playing cards,” she said. “So, I think it’s a wonderful thing that’s happening.”

The students are coming away from the visit with a trophy. They’re also walking away with a few new friends.

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

“It’s fun getting to know the seniors and then seeing them in other places, because then you recognize them,” said Grade 4 student Lucas Mould. “Sometimes you can’t remember their name but you can recognize the face.”

“When we come in we get set up with different people and it’s really nice because sometimes you don’t really know the people so you have to kind of get along with them,” said Grade 4 student Kayda Yaseniuk. “It’s really fun.”