Pen Pal Club Builds Local Bonds

 

The idea came to Strauss because she had been fond of having pen pals growing up, but always wished she could have had that type of relationship with someone closer to home. A former student at Riverbend, she reached out to her elementary school teacher and his response to the idea was overwhelmingly positive.

 

“I loved the fact that, by partnering with Riverbend, we would actually be able to connect with the students,” Strauss said. “I love the fact that they are local so we can see pictures and eventually get to meet the students. It’s a much more intimate connection than working with someone who is halfway around the world.”

 

Since its inception last fall, the club has consistently had about 25 members writing letters to the seven- to nine-year-olds at Riverbend and at the recent club fair that number increased with an influx of students who are new not just to the club, but to Rivers as well. The makeup of the club is a nice cross section of the community and makes the process of matching students to their pen pals amongst the most enjoyable parts of being the club’s president.

 

Every student in the club fills out an interest sheet that outlines what their interests are, how much time they might have to write letters, and how many pen pals they would like to have. Every student at Riverbend then does the same and the goal is to match students with kids who share a common interest.

 

“I try to keep the interests similar, if not exactly the same, but last year I had a student here and there who were both interested in ice skating and violin so that was a perfect match,” Strauss said. “It serves as a good ice breaker because you can ask about what piece they may be playing on their instrument and really gets conversations going.”

 

While forging those relationships has been a highlight for those involved, the good feelings that come with the letters from Riverbend are what make the club such a great addition to the Rivers community.

 

“Last year, our first letters came during exams and everyone was worried and stressed about exams and homework. But then you get these letters and they’re covered in crayon and lighthearted,” Strauss said. “They’re just such a nice pick-me-up and a good break in your day.”