Cherry Avenue Elementary Students Host Senior Citizens Brunch

It was an especially exciting break in tradition for the Cherry Avenue Fourth Graders. They were serving at the annual Senior Citizen Brunch instead of the Fifth Graders who were away on a field trip. But just as their upper classmen would have done, the well-groomed Fourth-graders greeted their invited guests at the entrance doors with beaming smiles.

The school community was hosting the Senior Citizen Brunch for select residents from Bristol Assisted Living facility and Sunrise Village, as well as senior citizens from the West Sayville area. 

In every effort to make their guests feel welcomed, helpful students escorted the senior citizens to the Cafeteria and to beautifully set tables adorned by centerpieces handcrafted in Mrs. Laxton’s art classes by the students. In addition, writing pads, compliments of Cherry Avenue School, were at every place setting as take-home gifts for each guest.  Principal Dr. Lisa Ihne greeted the brunch bunch with pleasant smiles and conversations, while Superintendent Dr. Walter Schartner and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Dr. John Stimmel dropped by to say hello.

Aromas from the buffet tables promised of mouthwatering delights that included scrambled eggs, sausage patties, potatoes, bagels, French Toast, assorted baked goods, and fresh fruit all prepared by Carleton Avenue Deli. Parents and staff enhanced that assortment by providing extra items for the buffet.

In addition, for their dining pleasure, the guests were entertained by Fourth-grade members of the chorus under the direction of music teacher Kristi Woerner who performed: Ordinary Miracle by Sarah McLachlan and Dig a Little Deeper from Disney's The Princess and the Frog.

The Brunch, an idea developed by the Cherry Avenue Site-Based committee, proved a tremendous success for everyone involved. Fourth-graders who volunteered to setup, socialize, or clean up, also practiced their social skills and showed great respect for the senior citizens they met; in turn, the local residents truly enjoyed getting acquainted with the marvelous elementary students.