Engaging in community outreach is a transformative opportunity for our upper elementary students. This year, they welcomed visitors from Bridges by Epoch, a memory-assisted living facility in Andover, graciously hosting them at ASM. This experience not only allowed our students to contribute to the community, but also deepened their understanding of diverse life experiences.
While many students cherish time with their own grandparents, interacting with individuals facing memory loss or dementia added an entirely new perspective. The students led the way by organizing creative crafts, fun games, and quiet coloring sessions, all while listening intently as the seniors shared stories from their past. One memorable moment occurred when a 6th year student connected with a resident during a conversation, bonding over their shared love of art.
During the visit, several of our Lower and Upper Elementary students showcased their talents with musical performances, including a vocal rendition of “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music, a ukulele cover of “…Baby One More Time,” and violin pieces such as Bach Concerto in A minor, “Csárdás” by Vittorio Monti, and the second movement of the C Major Concerto.
After our visitors left, the students reflected on their experience, sharing the following thoughts:
“People in memory care are important members of our community. It was fun to share our time and talents with them and I think they had a good time.” – Alice Huang, 4th year
“Seeing active, joyful young kids made their spirits soar as they remembered their own childhood. Contributing to their day made me feel like I was contributing to something big and made me feel important.” – Aanya Biragoni, 4th year
“I think the music helped them engage better in what they were doing. The music definitely cheered them up. They also loved the little kids because they were cute.” -Dylan Gaudreau, 6th year
This experience underscores the value of engaging with people at different stages of life and demonstrates the profound impact that compassion and genuine interaction can have. It truly embodies Maria Montessori’s vision of acceptance and learning from one another, and at ASM, we take pride in offering such formative experiences to our students.
