STORY TIME: It is often the simple things that mean the most. As the Princeton Senior Resource Center (PSRC) has found, its popular GrandPals reading program with children in the Princeton elementary schools, while simple on the surface, has lasting benefits. Intergenerational bonds are formed, imaginations soar, and a door to the future is opened. Shown in the photo are GrandPal Lorna Kaluzny with Riverside School students Polly North (left) and Nolen Copen-Bailey.

“Their voices would change; they became the

characters, and suddenly, the story came alive.

They were pirates or wolves or princes and

princesses; the world had slipped away. And so,

you might remember that special time when 

someone read aloud to you.”

—Anonymous

Perhaps you, too, can remember such a special time when a family member, a favorite teacher, or perhaps an older friend read aloud to you. Many of us eagerly anticipated those times and — whatever age we may be now — can still recall that wonderful magic, when, as in the passage above, pirates, princes and princesses, bears, lions, tigers, and wolves, Pooh, Piglet, and Peter Pan came alive, and we were transported to a new exciting world.

The Princeton community is fortunate that children in its four public elementary schools have such an opportunity. GrandPals, a joint program of the Princeton Senior Resource Center (PSRC) and the Princeton schools, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Since 1997, it has provided kindergartners, first and second graders, and most recently special needs pre-schoolers and autistic children with the chance to hear stories read to them by older members of the community.

“I love this program!” says PSRC executive director Susan W. Hoskins, LCSW. “It’s so important. In today’s world, parents can have two, even three jobs and not have time to read to their kids. Also, many families don’t have grandparents and children living together, or even near each other. This is a way to establish relationships between older people and children.

“In addition, there are a lot of older adults who never get to hug a kid, or even be with a kid.”

Seniors and Children

The program was first introduced at Littlebrook School in 1997, and it was initiated by Kathy Patten, who was the Princeton School District elementary supervisor.

“She presented a program on ‘Seniors Reading With Children’, and this sparked a collaboration between the Princeton schools and PSRC,” explains Olivian Boon, PSRC GrandPals Coordinator. “Dr. Robert Ginsburg, then the principal of Littlebrook, welcomed the program, and the first three kindergarten teachers were Muriel Lewis, Marilyn Jardin, and Melissa Mosca (now O’Donnell). Carole Levy was the first director of GrandPals.”

Riverside adopted the program in 2006, Community Park in 2012, and Johnson Park in 2015. Initially at Littlebrook, 20 volunteers from PSRC participated as readers to the kindergarten classes. Today, 110 seniors are in the program reading to more than 250 children in 14 classes every year. By the half-way point of this year, GrandPals have already volunteered more than 1460 hours of time with the children, and some do multiple sessions.

Teachers, librarians, and parents are all enthusiastic about the program, reports Ms. Boon. “The way the program works is that the teacher brings the entire class to the library, usually 10 or 12 kids, and one GrandPal is paired with one or two kids. They establish a relationship right away, and generally, the librarian has selected the books appropriate for the age group.”

Some GrandPals — who range in age from 47 to 95 — are former teachers and librarians themselves, but not all, points out Ms. Boon. “Some may have grandchildren of their own, who don’t live near them. Others may not have grandchildren, but love being with kids.”

GrandPal Carl Stern, a retired teacher, recalls that he had enjoyed reading with his own children, “and I thought it would be a lot of fun to read with these children.” Mr. Stern reads to two first graders at Community Park School once a week for a half hour. He has enjoyed the program so much that he hopes to sign up for two sessions next year. He notes that the program’s benefits extend both to the children and to the GrandPals.

Fun With Reading

“Both children are eager to see me and seem to look forward to and enjoy the reading a lot. Since we read to the same two children every week, we get to know them a bit. The program has benefitted me a lot in that I really enjoy reading with these two kids, and it gives me another activity to look forward to every week.

“Some children may have four real grandparents whom they can read with; others may have none. In any case, this gives them a chance to have fun with some of us older folks, and provides another ‘friend’ in their lives. And taking enjoyment in reading books can only help with learning to read!”

Many children in the program come from other countries, adds Ms. Hoskins. “This is a way to help them learn about U.S. culture, and it is one person helping them. Also, the book they are reading can lead to a conversation with the GrandPal. For example, telling the kids about what they had done when they were young. This is so important. What builds a resilient adult? Having someone, a non-family member, who early in the child’s life, encourages them. Recently, a male volunteer was very helpful to a boy who had lost his grandfather. The GrandPal’s relationship with the boy was so significant.”

Either Ms. Boon or associate director Sallie Meade are always in the library during the reading sessions, and they enjoy watching the children and GrandPals interact together.

“Sometimes, a teacher will say ‘I never saw that child talk in class’, and now she or he is talking with the GrandPal,” notes Ms. Boon. “There can be a wonderful, and often, immediate bond.”

The interaction can extend to manners and good behavior, she adds. “We always say to the kids, ‘Be sure you look your GrandPal in the eye, and remember to say thank you.’”

Social Connection

That these moments resonate both with the kids and GrandPals is attested to by Florence Sharpless, a long-time GrandPal, who now reads with Littlebrook kindergartners once a week. She recalls a special moment when the mother of one of the boys in her reading session came over to her, and said, “Mrs. Sharpless, he is always talking about you! And when he got a haircut the other day, he said ‘do you think Mrs. Sharpless will like it?’”

“I find that if some of the children don’t have too much contact with their grandparents, this gives them a social connection with an older person. I want them to think of me as a friend, perhaps someone who is sitting in for their own grandparents if they are not nearby. I love to see the kids surprise me as they learn to read. Sometimes, I’ll read one page, then they read one page. They love this. This is such a fabulous program!”

GrandPal Honey Rosenberg agrees. A retired teacher and former director of a settlement house, she has been a GrandPal for many years, and reads with children at all the schools several times a week.

“I think the children love it that this is a real person reading a real book to them. We are able to form a real relationship with the child, and I truly enjoy every facet of the program: the unique personalities of the children, the reading itself, and the response of the children. We have so much fun! It has been a ‘grand’ part of my life for several years. A magical blending of adults and children, learning with and enjoying each other.”

Rain or Shine

There is a strong partnership among the GrandPals, teachers, and school librarians, observes Ms. Boon. The teachers have gotten to know many of the GrandPals over the years, and are delighted to see familiar names at sign-up time.

As Melissa O’Donnell, kindergartner teacher at Littlebrook, and who was in her first year of teaching when the program began, points out. “The GrandPals come out rain or shine, hot or cold, snow and ice, always with a smile. They are absolutely committed to these children. It makes me smile when I see these children, some of whom can be very challenging, connect with the GrandPal. I have many returning GrandPals every year, and I know just whom to pair them up with. Such patient, loving human beings who work so beautifully with my little guys!

“Every year, the kindergarten parents host a wonderful GrandPal luncheon for the GrandPals and Olivian Boon. We sing to them and have a delicious lunch, which everyone looks forward to. In a nutshell, this is a heartwarming relationship between two extremely different generations, who are actually very much like one another. I often wonder who gets more out of it — the GrandPals or the children? I think it may be 50/50.”

The schools have come to view the program as a major part of the schools’ curriculum, says Ms. Boon. As one of the former principals commented, “The GrandPal program is not just an extra activity; it is an integral part of our school program that furthers the mission of our school.”

Authors and Artists

Classes continue to be added, and Johnson Park has introduced a GrandPal summer enrichment program, coordinated by Sallie Meade. The overall success of the Princeton GrandPals program has encouraged other school districts to inquire about setting up their own programs.

Ms. Boon, who was formerly a reacher for the deaf, has been coordinator for the program for 10 years, and is dedicated to its continued success. “The joy the GrandPals get from participating in the program and connecting with the children is so special and meaningful for them. They share stories, get to know each other, delight in each other’s company, and in the company of the authors and artists through the books they read.”

Adds Ms. Hoskins: “It is very beneficial to the GrandPals. It helps them feel they are doing something important, that helps make a difference. One of our GrandPals, a former chemical engineer, actually said that he gets more meaning being a GrandPal than from any other aspect of his professional career.

“There is also a social aspect for the GrandPals. They become friends with each other. 10 or 12 go to the same school and often get together for lunch or other activities. And if a GrandPal is new to the community, this is a way for them to get involved and meet people. We had a special 20th anniversary luncheon for all the GrandPals, former and current, on Monday, April 24th.”

As Ms. Boon and Ms. Hoskins look forward to many more years of GrandPals, they report that they have already seen a second generation coming along. “Imagine the joy of what we are seeing when the parents who were formerly children in the program are now bringing their own children to read with a GrandPal!”

And perhaps the impact of the program becomes even more special when we are reminded of what a child whispered to her GrandPal at the end of the school year. “Will you always remember me?”