The school district will present a new\u00a0\u00a0senior citizen outreach program at the\u00a0April 5, 2016 school board meeting. The letter and survey below details the new program.<\/p>\n
Dear Neighbor:
\nOn behalf of the Londonderry Senior Center and the Londonderry School District, we are\u00a0excited to share with you an expansion of in-town services, events and offerings all
\ndesigned with you in mind. Starting soon, the school district and the office of senior
\naffairs will collaborate to offer a variety of programs and events to inform and entertain
\nour community\u2019s 55+ population.<\/p>\n
As you know, the Londonderry Senior Center is being renovated and expanded. Soon,
\nwork will be completed on two additional activity rooms, a larger kitchen, a new health
\nservices room and several amenities that will boost the capabilities of the center to host a\u00a0variety of brand new programs for local residents. The goal is to become a central
\nactivity center to meet your needs and interests.<\/p>\n
But an improved senior center is just the beginning. It dawned on both the district and
\nthe senior center that there are many opportunities for seniors and school children to
\nconnect on a fun, yet meaningful level. Did you know that right now, Londonderry
\nschools currently host more than 250 afterschool activities every single week? From
\nmusic to drama to athletics, there is always something happening at our schools.<\/p>\n
In addition, Superintendent Nate Greenberg would like to bring the community into
\nschools by offering programs and events catered directly to the 55+ population nearby.
\nWorking together, we are excited to offer some great new events, such as a \u201cTechnology
\nFair\u201d where students can teach local seniors how to better navigate their smart phones
\nand iPads, or free \u201cLondonderry Senior\u201d passes to any concert or event at our local
\nschools, and opening our high school on cold weekend mornings to allow Seniors to get
\nfit by walking our hallways in a warm and safe environment.<\/p>\n
Imagine a music concert coming to the senior center for a personalized performance.
\nPicture local high school students visiting your residential community as part of a
\ncommunity service project. Perhaps our program can bring our technology fair straight to\u00a0your door, as part of an on-site forum on how to use your home devices? Our younger\u00a0generation can offer a great deal to local seniors in both knowledge and service. We\u00a0would be thrilled to make better connections with you through programs offered jointly\u00a0by the Londonderry school district and the senior center.<\/p>\n
We see the benefits to students as well. Some of our best \u201cguest speakers\u201d have come
\nfrom the senior community, such as a Holocaust Survivor who shared his story with a
\nclass of students who were riveted by his words; you could have heard a pin drop in the
\nroom that day. You have experience and wisdom to share, and you might enjoy reading
\nto young children or sharing your stories on \u201cCareer Day\u201d in our schools.<\/p>\n
In the coming weeks, we will mail home a survey asking you for input on various
\nprograms we can create for seniors in Londonderry. We are excited to augment our
\nprograms and open the doors of our school system for all of you to take advantage of the\u00a0exciting events and offerings we can create with you in mind.<\/p>\n
We know there will be questions as these new programs are created and welcome the
\nopportunity to answer them for you. Your feedback is valuable and will be built into the
\nLondonderry Senior Plan. Look for the survey in your mailbox sometime soon.<\/p>\n
With warm regards,
\nCatherine Blash, Senior Affairs Director, Londonderry
\nNate Greenberg, Superintendent, Londonderry School District<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
LONDONDERRY SENIOR SURVEY<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. If Londonderry Schools and Londonderry Senior Center worked\u00a0together to offer new programs and events for local 55+ residents,\u00a0would you be interested in attending? (Yes\/No)<\/p>\n 2. Where would you most prefer these events and programs to be\u00a0held? (Senior Center\/High School\/No Preference)<\/p>\n 3. If Londonderry Schools made free tickets available to you for\u00a0drama productions, music concerts, athletic events and other\u00a0special student-led programs, would you attend? (Yes\/No)<\/p>\n 4. If Londonderry Schools hosted a \u201cTechnology Fair\u201d at the school\u00a0or at the senior center, to help seniors better understand how to\u00a0navigate their IPads, smart phones and related technology, would\u00a0you attend? (Yes \/ No)<\/p>\n 5. Would you be interested in volunteering your time with students,\u00a0whether it is a reading program for young children, an \u201cadopt a\u00a0grandparent\u201d program, \u201ccareer day\u201d participant or something\u00a0similar? (Yes \/ No)<\/p>\n 6. Would you attend an event held at your residential facility\u00a0featuring local student performances of music and\/or drama?\u00a0(Yes\/No)<\/p>\n 7. Would you be interested in any of these programs or events to be\u00a0sponsored by the Londonderry School District and Londonderry\u00a0Senior Center (Check all that apply)<\/p>\n – Senior Breakfast at Londonderry High School 8. Would you like to see Londonderry Schools expand its\u00a0Community Service programs for 55+ communities? (Yes\/No)<\/p>\n 9. What volunteer programs would you most like to see?<\/p>\n 10. What is the best way to share information about events and\u00a0programs being developed at Londonderry Schools and the\u00a0Londonderry Senior Center? (Mail\/Email\/Other_____)<\/p>\n
\n– Senior Wellness Fair
\n– Londonderry High School Drama Production
\n– Londonderry Band \/ Music Concert
\n– Ice Cream Social with Students
\n– Reading Program for Young Students
\n– Weekend Exercise Program\/Walking the Halls for Seniors
\n– Technology Fair
\n– History Workshop
\n– Culinary\/Cooking Workshop
\n– Framed Student Artwork on Display at your Senior Center
\n– Career Day participant
\n– Adopt A Grandparent Program
\n– \u201cBuddy\u201d to a Needy Child
\n– Free Tickets to Special Programs and Athletic Events
\n– Other<\/p>\n