Elementary students meet Swiss pen pal
Imagine the excitement of getting to meet, for the first time, the person you had been writing to for a whole school year!
That's just what 24 Peabody Elementary School soon-to-be fifth graders got to experience July 22.
Throughout the 2002-2003 school year they had been corresponding with Nicolo Bird, a fifth grade student in Geneva, Switzerland. Nicolo was in Kansas during July, visiting his grandfather in Emporia. Nicolo's father, Gary, is a long time friend of PES teacher Jane Weber, who arranged the pen pal get-together. Nicolo's mother is from Italy.
Students peppered Nicolo with questions that were more easily answered in person than on paper. They were amazed as they listened to him speak in four languages — Spanish, German, Italian, and French.
He, in turn, asked questions of the Peabody students, who told of things they experience here that students in Switzerland do not, such as daily physical education classes, sports, and band opportunities.
After the question and answer time, students enjoyed refreshments and playing on equipment in the park. Later, some even went swimming in the city pool with their new friend.
Margaret Pippin, their language teacher, felt the letter writing experience served many purposes. Not only had they sharpened letter writing and composition skills, they also had learned about life and education in another country.
Nicolo's parents were pleased that he was able to practice his English writing skills because his schooling all is in French.
Pippin will have her 2003-2004 students continue the project as Nicolo excitedly stated he'd love to continue the arrangement.
