Clearfield’s Rocky Mountain Care Center has special relationship with Layton Christian Academy
By Carol Lindsay
Special to The Tribune
Published: September 24, 2011 07:59AMFrancisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Marcus Merreli, 10, and Janice Young, 84, follow along to an exercise video for the elderly. Students from Layton Christian Academy visit senior residents at Rocky Mountain Care Center in Clearfield every Thursday to interact, read to seniors and generally help lift their spirits. Recently, the kids did sit-down exercises alongside the seniors.
Clearfield • Generations have come together on Thursday mornings at Rocky Mountain Care Center in Clearfield for 17 years. Since Layton Christian Academy opened its doors, elementary school children have visited weekly with residents at the care facility.
Fifth grade teacher Laura Howard explained why students in kindergarten through fifth grade students visit regularly. “It’s a good way to reach out to the community so that we are not just involved in ourselves. It’s a way to show God’s love. It shows the seniors that they are loved by the community.”
Layton Christian Academy is a private school with an enrollment of 570 students in preschool through 12th grade. Service is central to the school’s mission, according to principal Robin Elmy.
“Our curriculum is Christian based and we put Christ in the middle of it all.… We really try to teach the children to look at outside themselves and give to others” she said.
On a recent visit, 25 fifth-grade students began their visit at the care center in the day room by holding the flag and repeating the pledge of allegiance with the residents.
“Our seniors are very patriotic and they just light up when the students do the pledge,” said Mary Ann Dostaler, Rocky Mountain Care Center activities assistant. After the flag ceremony, students performed a Bible-based play.
Each week a different grade visits the care center and interacts with the residents in a variety of ways.
“They perform plays, sing, read stories they’ve written or play games one-on-one with residents, or just visit. It’s whatever the students want to show off or share,” said Howard.
Resident Alice Sala, 89, was a volunteer at the care center for 25 years before she started living there. She smiled as she watched the children perform. “They were wonderful today. I really enjoyed them.”
Fellow resident Verlinda Porter, 56, agreed.
“They are a lot of fun,” she said. They come down, we play games and do exercise and read stories to each other.”
Howard said the center visits are a valuable educational experience for several reasons.
“You see a different side of the students. You see a tender, loving side,” she said. “Visits show the students that people who are older have a lot to share. They talk to the residents about their differences and similarities. A couple of students were scared before they came but once they are here they are surprised by how active the residents are.”
But the positive benefits go both says, Elmy said. “The kids learn from the residents’ wisdom and the little ones put the energy and excitement in the elderly.”
After performing the Bible play during this visit, the children exercised with the residents. Then, Dostaler read a story to the group, which also included parents and siblings of students.
Lori Schweitzer, whose son Caden attends Layton Christian, went along as a chaperon.
“The residents enjoy watching the kids sing and play. I think their youth energizes them,” she said. “Caden started coming in fourth grade. He enjoys watching them light up as he performs.”
Dostaler smiled as she spoke about how students enrich her residents’ lives.
“The residents look forward to their return in the fall. Sometimes, I take a small group of students to a room to sing for a resident who can’t come out. Sometimes we walk down the hall singing to whoever we see,” she said.
Ten-year-old Micah Petty has been visiting the center since he was in preschool and has come to know many of the residents.
“I like to see the residents who are still here and know they are active and have fun and see smiles on their faces. I just like coming here to see them.”
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About Layton Christian Academy
Where • 2352 East Highway 193, Layton.
Enrollment • 570 students in preschool through 12th grade.
Accreditation • Association of Christian Teachers and Schools, Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, National Council for Private School Accreditation.
Extras • On site boarding is offered for international students.
© 2011 The Salt Lake Tribune
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