SENIORS GET A NEW VIEW OF SCHOOLS

Earl Sams last set foot in Franklin School in 1936 when he was an elementary student. He came back for a visit Thursday as part of the Cape Girardeau school district's open house for senior citizens.

Sams was among some 45 senior citizens who participated in the open house, designed as an introduction or re-introduction to the school system.

Sams attended Franklin School from 1932 to 1936.

"I really enjoyed coming back," he said, eating lunch later in the day at Cape Girardeau's Vocational-Technical School. "It really brought back a lot of good memories and happy times for me."

Libby Roeger, who helped coordinate the event, said afterwards, "I was very pleased. But my favorite part was at Franklin. One of the teachers asked him (Sams) about the school. The children were just fascinated as he talked about the school. It was so much fun watching those children and listening to him reminisce."

Roeger said that interaction between children and senior citizens is part of what the day was about. "We could see the wonderful things that can happen when you get those two groups together."

The day started at Central High School with entertainment from the high school choir and drama students. Also, the Jack Kinder Band performed and a school video was shown.

The seniors then toured Franklin School and the vocational school while classes were in session.

At a luncheon, Superintendent Neyland Clark welcomed the seniors to attend school activities and events, and those who attended received a Tiger Card.

The orange card entitles senior citizens to free or reduced admission to school events. Tiger Cards are available to any senior citizens by calling the board of education office.

The seniors also received volunteer survey forms to complete if they would be interested in volunteering in the schools. The volunteer program will be coordinated through R.S.V.P. (Retired Senior Volunteer Program).

But Roeger said the goal of Thursday's event was to let people see what is happening in the district.

"We hope that they become familiar with what goes on in the schools," Roeger said. "I think we have a lot to be proud of here."

Clark told the participants: "Welcome back to Cape schools. Hopefully you never left us, but if you have we want you back.

"Research shows us retirees in our country are moving farther and farther from public schools," Clark said. "We need you to help us be the kind of school we want to be.

"You have built the tradition. Now we have the burden to maintain and sustain what you have built."

Retired Cape Girardeau school teacher Helen Little decided to head back to the classroom Thursday. She has been retired five years.

"I'm still very interested in the schools," she said. "I'm a retired teacher, but I also have several grandchildren in school.

"We all need to know what's going on in the classroom. We can sit back and criticize easily enough. But we should get out and see what's really going on."

Mildred Fox, who worked as a cafeteria cook for 20 years, was also in the crowd. "I really enjoyed myself," she said. "It looks like a really good idea getting the older ones together with the younger ones we can all learn a few things."