Concord Middle School Students Connect with Newbury Court Residents Through Poetry Workshop

Eighth graders from the Ellen Garrison Building at Concord Middle School recently held a poetry workshop with residents of Newbury Court Independent Living. (Photo Courtesy Concord Public Schools)

CONCORD — A group of eighth graders from the Ellen Garrison Building at Concord Middle School recently spent the morning at Newbury Court Independent Living for an intergenerational poetry workshop.

The visit was the culminating project for students enrolled in the Partners in Rhyme enrichment course, a class inspired by Concord-Carlisle High School teacher Patti Russo’s long-running program of the same name.

During the workshop, each eighth grader teamed up with a Newbury Court resident to co-write a poem in two voices. Partners explored what life was like in eighth grade then and now, sharing experiences and contrasting perspectives to shape their work.

Students and residents wrote about school days, friendships, the books that shaped them and social justice themes that continue to resonate across generations.

“Learning regularly stretches far beyond the classroom walls and into our community, and this poetry workshop is just one more example of that,” said Principal Justin Cameron. “The residents were so generous in sharing their stories with our students, which allowed them to gain a deeper sense of empathy and respect.”

“We want our students to understand the value of listening to others and learning from people with different life experiences,” said Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter. “This workshop gave our eighth graders a meaningful way to connect with Concord’s older adults and to see how writing can bring people together.”

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