Senior Buddy Bonnie Walker has been a regular visitor to Jacqui McKenna’s kindergarten class this school year, as part of the Thoreau Elementary School’s new program that pairs the community’s eldest with its youngest learners. (Photo Courtesy Concord Public Schools)
CONCORD — Bonnie Walker strolls slowly up to the main entrance of Thoreau Elementary School to push the buzzer, a cane in one hand and a tote full of classroom conversation starters in the other.
She is about 10 minutes early for her Senior Buddy appointment and the 84-year-young Concord woman is well prepared for Jacqui McKenna’s kindergarten class.
Walker’s one of about a dozen local elders who have volunteered to share their time and experience with Concord’s youngest learners.
“I plan to tell the students what it’s like to visit Holland,” Walker says. “We’ll make some pinwheels. I have a book to read with the class. And I’ve brought some money from Holland to show the children.”
Walker enters McKenna’s empty classroom. The students will be returning any moment. Walker is excited, taking her place in a stately chair of honor at the front of the class.
Ms. McKenna has been teaching at Thoreau Elementary School for 31 years and plans to retire at the end of this school year.
“I have the pleasure of having Ms. Bonnie work with my kindergarten class,” Ms. McKenna says. “The children love it. I love it. And I think Bonnie loves it too.”
The children enter and pile onto the carpet, scrambling for a spot close to the toes of their Senior Buddy.
Thoreau Elementary School Counselor Rachel Levesque pitched the program last year.
“During the 2024-25 school year our Student Council spearheaded a project at Thoreau to have every student make Valentine’s Day cards for senior citizens in town,” Levesque recalls. “The impact was really great for both our students and the senior citizens, and I started to think about other ways we could connect these two groups. I thought about starting a program which would involve senior citizens pairing up with a classroom to visit once a month.”
Levesque developed a committee with two classroom teachers last year and started meeting with three staff members from the Council on Aging — the director, the volunteer coordinator and the programs director.
“Together we devised a framework for the program, and it was announced in the COA newsletter in January,” Levesque says. “We had about 11 senior citizens sign up and since March they have been visiting with six different classrooms across the grade levels.”
Levesque’s goal is to expand this program within the school next year.
“The Senior Buddies program has become such a special part of our Thoreau community,” says Principal Justin Sparks. “I am incredibly appreciative of Ms. Levesque and all of the hosting teachers for the care, time, and thought they have put into building these meaningful experiences for students and seniors alike.”
Walker’s a retired science teacher, having spent decades in the classroom at the Doctor Franklin Perkins School in Lancaster.
“Whether they are reading stories together, conducting science experiments, creating crafts, or simply sharing conversations and laughter, these moments are creating authentic intergenerational connections that enrich everyone involved,” says Principal Sparks. “This program beautifully reflects Thoreau’s core values of community, respect and belonging, and it is wonderful to see both our students and senior visitors getting so much joy from the shared experiences.”
Walker hands out green pencils from her days as a full-time educator that read, “THIS PENCIL BORROWED FROM BONNIE.” She shows the students how to pin a carefully cut piece of paper to the eraser to create tiny pinwheels.
“I really love this class because they’re all super scientists!” Walker says. “They’re a different kind of scientist and they do a wonderful job exploring and coming up with great answers. I am so lucky to be able to come and be with them.”
Walker will turn 85 next month. She can’t wait to return to Thoreau next year to continue her lessons with a brand-new class.
“Any time we can stop and learn something new from someone with a lifetime full of experiences, we should,” says Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter. “It’s so vital that our youngest learners get to know our community’s eldest residents. We all have so much to learn from each other, and the Senior Buddies program really makes that happen as part of the school day.”
“We all have something to give, and Bonnie sure gives to us,” says Ms. McKenna.
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Senior Buddy Bonnie Walker handed out green pencils from her days as a full-time educator that say, “THIS PENCIL BORROWED FROM BONNIE.” She showed the students how to pin a carefully cut piece of paper to the eraser to create tiny pinwheels. (Photo Courtesy Concord Public Schools)
Bonnie Walker, 84, showed photos of windmills to kindergartners at Thoreau Elementary School. She’s the classroom’s Senior Buddy this year. (Photo Courtesy Concord Public Schools)
Bonnie Walker read the students a Dutch story book. (Photo Courtesy Concord Public Schools)
Bonnie Walker read the students a Dutch story book. (Photo Courtesy Concord Public Schools)
Bonnie Walker read the students a Dutch story book. (Photo Courtesy Concord Public Schools)