HUNT: New pen pals teach lesson in compassion

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The kids in Jared Mallard’s Grade 9 English class at Fredericton High School are learning a lot these days.

About the art of letter writing. About caring. Compassion.

Three weeks or so ago, Mallard approached the administration at Windsor Court, an 89-unit assisted living retirement complex on Fredericton’s north side, with an idea: could the 26 kids in his first period English class write letters to residents?  

“We thought it was a great idea,” said Melissa Wilson, the activity director at the facility. First, Mallard provided a sheet of “prompts” to the residents: 11 talking points – or in this case, letter writing points, including such things as personal memories, life lessons, technology and changes over their lives, achievements they are most proud of; challenges or obstacles they have overcome and words of wisdom to impart. 

Over the last couple of weeks, under the supervision of Mallard and his teaching intern, Mark Bougharios, the kids were taught how to write a one-page letter back to one of the residents who had filled out the questionnaire. The opportunity to participate was offered to all the residents, said Wilson. Fifteen took part.

“Three or four” of the residents were “quite independent and could write on their own,” said Wilson. Others had varying forms of dementia, but were able to sit with someone on staff who could help them fill out answers to the 11 questions..

A couple of students came up with the idea of stocking “care packages” – filling a shoe box of treats and trinkets for each recipient, which Mallard delivered and residents opened earlier this week.

Mallard, in his second year at FHS, has 17 years of classroom experience. He’s also a playwright and author.  The English teacher in him was looking, and marking, for “good voice and good content,” as he read each letter.

“I think letter-writing is a forgotten art.” he said. Some of the letters were hand-written – cursive writing is another disappearing art – but most were typed.

“When I do any type of project, I always look at: ‘what’s the purpose here … why are we doing this?’” said Mallard. “I think writing has the power to make some changes.”

He broke students into pairs and assigned them a resident or, in some cases, two. 

Mallard hopes the students get “a sense of community … a connection … an intrinsic sort of pride. It sounds cheesy, but giving is part of the season … generosity and giving is a huge part of the season.”

“We’re making them a care box with a bunch of goodies so they can have something to look forward to, to make their day,” said Ciana Chiasson, who worked together with Anna O’Leary to fill care boxes for Elizabeth Burke, who is originally from England and is a huge dog lover, and another for Wayne Thompkins, a former high school English teacher who loves to write and recite poetry. Recently moved from Ontario, he lives at Windsor Court with his wife Anne, who is a painter/artist. 

“We got him a little gnome decoration, some chocolates, and I’m going to get him a ‘No. 1 Teacher’ ornament,” said O’Leary.

“We’re putting in a picture of us, just so they can have it, and know what they look like” said Chiasson. “And we have little Christmas decorations and our letters.”

Burke listed knitting as a hobby, so the girls bought yarn. They each chipped in $20 of their own money to stock the boxes.

“I think it’s important to let them know that we care about them, in case they don’t have family,” said O’Leary. “Or if they can’t see their family, to let them know that people still think they’re important. I think it makes it more enjoyable, if they don’t have anyone to get them gifts.”