A grade 10 English class recently learned a nearly forgotten art―handwritten letters―and used their new skill to bring the spirit of the season to others.
The group of students from Huntsville High School, taught by Saree Sasson, wrote Christmas cards for seniors at Fairvern Nursing Home and letters to military personnel.
“The students use a lot of technology and being an English teacher I thought it would be nice for them to learn how to write letters, formal and informal,” said Sasson. “The skills the students learned will also help them with job applications and interviews.”
The students hand-delivered Christmas cards to residents at Fairvern on Dec. 13.
“I think it’s very good for them to learn to write,” said Kaye Fowler, one of the residents at Fairvern.
Kaye Fowler reads her Christmas card from a grade 10 HHS English student (Mandi Hargrave)
“It was a little difficult, but I got the hang of it,” said student Rebecca Smith, who wrote her first letter during this class assignment. “Thinking about what to say was stressful but it came from our hearts.”
Sasson said her students came out of their shells over the course of this assignment. “At the beginning of the year they would barely participate in group discussions and now we’re like one big happy family; they work well together. They would even come in on their lunch breaks to work on the letters. They’re so devoted and have come so far.”
“She’s one of our favourite teachers,” said Smith of Sasson.
This group of Huntsville High School students hand-delivered Christmas cards to residents at Fairvern Nursing Home on Dec. 13. (Front from left) Rebecca Smith, Abby Huke, teacher Saree Sasson, Hayden Firman; (back from left) Wyatt Brown, Eddie Boyd and Nathan Thompson. (Mandi Hargrave)
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Communication and community are very important parts of life. Teachers are the cornerstone in our society. Thank you for sharing this good news.
These kids not only learned how to write letters but learned and demonstrated kindness and compassion. Kudos Ms Sasson for making this possible for your students.