Annual Link Brunch Thanks Senior Citizens

On December 4, 2013, students at Link Elementary World School students performed and provided brunch for senior citizens from the Clarkstown/Pearl River Senior Center in Nanuet. The annual Senior Citizen Celebration featured winter themed songs by the kindergarten, second and fifth grade student choruses and a solo jazz piano performance by Ivan Liam.

Senior citizen George Rosato said his favorite part of the event is “the children.” 

Clarkstown/Pearl River Senior Center Director Pat Pereira said, “They (the seniors) look forward to it every year.”

More than 50 seniors attended the community outreach event at the New City school, which was a collaborative effort of parents, students and staff. PYP Coordinator Christina Calendrello hosted it.  Music Teacher Cindy Kimmel directed the musical entertainment and student concerts and parent volunteers set up and served the brunch.  First, second and third grade students created placemats, centerpieces, programs and artwork to decorate the room.

The second graders sang “If I Could Fly Like a Snowflake” and “The Little Snowflake.” The fifth graders serenaded the seniors with “For the Winter,” “No School Tomorrow” and “Winter Fun.” The grand finale featured the kindergarten students singing “Snow is Falling Today,” the bilingual “My Hands on My Head,” and “Snowkey Pokey.”

Principal Francine Cuccia said the goal of annual program was goal was to develop an awareness of and respect for senior citizens as valued community.

“(It’s) Our way of saying thank you, we appreciate you,” said Cuccia. “You have given so much to the community.”

Clarkstown School Board members Joe Malgieri and Wendy Adolf, Superintendent Dr. J. Thomas Morton, Assistant Superintendents John LaNave and Jeff Sobel, Director of Special Education Arnold Fucci and Director of Technology John Krouskoff also attended the brunch.

Link PTA President Gina Kelly said longtime participant Helen Mulligan was missed at the event. She passed away in July at the age of 103. Her daughter, Mary Karatka, attended and said the event had been a favorite of her mother who loved watching the children perform.

Pereira thanked Link on behalf on the seniors and presented the school with a Barnes and Nobles gift certificate.