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Generations program brings retirees onto Fairview Elementary playgrounds for weekly play
Summary
Generations launched a Play with Generations program at Fairview Elementary that sends volunteers during Tuesday lunch recess to lead games, build relationships and give teachers short respite; the district spotlighted the partnership and said it is funded by the nonprofit's annual campaign.
The Plymouth Joint School District board heard a presentation on a new intergenerational program that places older volunteers on the Fairview Elementary playground each Tuesday to lead games and build relationships with students.
Generations Executive Director Greg Boss told the board the program is funded by the nonprofitannual campaign and is designed to strengthen ties between retirees and the schools. "When I first came, I knew we need to look at diversifying our revenue," Boss said, explaining why the organization devoted campaign dollars to the pilot.
District staff member Nick introduced the spotlight and said the program is part of the districtcommunity engagement pillar. Joaquin, identified in the meeting as the community engagement and program manager at Generations, described how the program operates: "Each Tuesday during the lunch recess, we bring 3 volunteers. We have a pool of about 15. They decide and sign up on the days that work for them, to facilitate games, encourage teamwork, and most importantly build intergenerational relationships with students 4K through fourth grade."
Joaquin said volunteers serve as play partners rather than supervisors: they join games, teach rules and offer consistent, friendly adult presence. The program runs during the school lunch recess and is intended to support studentssocial and emotional development while giving teachers a brief respite, she said. Boss and Joaquin pointed to early results they described as positive: recurring volunteer-student pairings and clear enjoyment from students and volunteers.
Boss said Generations started the program after testing similar models elsewhere and that fundraising from its annual campaign underwrites the staffing and volunteer coordination. Joaquin added that volunteers pivot activities to meet studentsneeds on any given day, holding soccer or basketball, or simply chatting on the swings.
Board members asked logistical questions about frequency, scale and weather. Joaquin confirmed the current pilot is only at Fairview, with three volunteers each Tuesday and a larger volunteer pool available; the organization said it plans to grow the program if demand and funding allow. Boss said the annual campaign produced $43,000 on a $30,000 goal the first year and later raised $90,000 on an $80,000 goal, and that the program was funded from those community-raised dollars.
The board did not take a vote on the program during the meeting; the presentation was a spotlight item and informational in nature.
Looking ahead, Generations representatives said they hope to expand the model to additional schools over time and thanked the district for the partnership and access to Fairviewstudents and staff.
