Adorned with reindeer antlers, Santa hats, and festive sweaters, students from Jennie Blake Elementary School in Hill streamed into the lobby of Peabody Place in Franklin to serenade the senior citizens with holiday carols.

Singing tunes such as “Frosty the Snowman” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” the students, ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade, delighted the residents of the senior living community, bringing smiles to faces across the audience. The kids even distributed handmade cards after their performance.

“This is for you!” one kid said.  Another called out, “Happy Holidays!” and hugged a resident. The room echoed with laughter.

“They had so much energy,” Peabody Place resident Jan McKinnon said. Holding her card close to her chest, she added, “It made me feel young.” 

The senior living community and the elementary school began finding sources of mutual connection last year, when eight Peabody Place residents spent the day with students at Jennie Blake, including playing with the younger students, eating lunch in the cafeteria, and being interviewed by some of the older students about what in their lives they’re most proud of.

Hill superintendent and district Principal Brian Connelly thanked the Peabody Place residents for welcoming the kids and staff into their home. 

“It means a tremendous amount to us,” he said. “The students are excited to share holiday joy with the residents, and it creates an impact on the residents to have that joy too, especially for people without families or families far away.”

Activities director Karolyn McCauley hopes to see more intergenerational programming happen in the new year. The Jennie Blake students and Peabody Place residents plan to hold a Valentine’s Day event at the elementary school to make cards together.

“The residents talk about how much they enjoy being around the kids,” McCauley said. “It’s such a bright spot to have younger people come through here.”

The senior community has also forged connections with local middle and high schools. This fall, one resident held an apple pie-making workshop and helped teenagers learn how to bake. 

“It was just such a meaningful experience for both sides,” McCauley said. “They were able to share things that were important to them.”

The holiday concert allowed for new connections to form and existing ones to deepen. One student’s grandfather watched from the audience, and other students recognized the residents who had previously spent a day at school with them.

Third- and fourth-grade teacher Alicia Williams said the kids had been looking forward to the holiday concert for a month, spending time during lunch practicing their songs.

“We’re trying to build more community and stress the importance of connections outside of school,” Williams said. “It’s good for the kids to learn how to connect with people of different ages.”

Gail Miller, another Peabody Place resident, said she had “so much fun” watching the concert.

“I really thought, ‘Oh my, they were excellent!’” Miller said.

In addition to leaving cards as souvenirs of their visit, the school also left hand-cut tissue paper snowflakes for Peabody Place to hang from the ceiling of its media room for a holiday celebration on Friday.

As the students filed back to their bus to continue their school day, they called out with a wave, “See you next time!”