Buck kids bring cheer to Lynbrook seniors

William L. Buck Elementary School students sang carols and recited holiday verses at the Atria Tanglewood assisted living facility in Lynbrook on Dec. 17.

Micah Danney/Herald

Atria resident Peggy Gropper, 90, said she “loved every bit” of the children’s performance. Next to her was Vanja Johnson.

Micah Danney/Herald

Second-graders Elijah Rivette, Dharma DeMarco and Layla DeSuze kept their eyes trained on music teacher Joannie Blyska as they sang.

Micah Danney/Herald

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Second-graders from the William L. Buck School in Valley Stream District 24 visited the seniors at the Atria Tanglewood assisted living facility in Lynbrook on Dec. 17 to sing carols and share some youthful holiday spirit.

“Absolutely lovely,” said Atria resident Peggy Gropper, 90, who said she was surprised at the ability of the 7- and 8-year-olds. “They got up in front of all these people. And they learned the Christmas songs, which is very important. It’s part of all of us.”

Teachers Jamie MacMillan and John Reece brought their classes to perform, ld by music teacher Joannie Blyska. The kids only had about two weeks of practice, but they spoke and sang confidently throughout the performance, which went off without a hitch.

MacMillan said that her great-aunt, an Atria resident, inspired the event, which MacMillan said was “just something to give back to the community.”

Julia Derkatch, activities director at Atria, said that the contact with young children helps the residents feel connected to the community and reminds them of their own grandchildren. “When you have music and you have children, it’s just the perfect recipe for the residents,” she said. “It makes their day. This will have brightened their whole day.”

MacMillan’s great-aunt, Vanja Johnson, said that the “joy of seeing the little ones” was meaningful. “I got such a high on it,” she said.