Dear …

That simple, one-word salutation has started some of the greatest letters in history as kings, philosophers, civil-rights leaders, artists and more have sat down to share their thoughts with loved ones and friends.

Letter writing is an art that has been almost obliterated in the current age of easy-access cellphones, text messages, emails and other technologically truncated forms of communication. That will not be so, however if some members of the Cranston Senior Center and teens at Cranston High School West have their say.

They are taking part in a collaborative pen pal program that pairs the young and older participants – and has them write to each other, sight unseen. And, to make it more fun and interesting, the seniors have assumed pen names drawn from literature, pop culture and movies. As a result, the students are getting letters signed with intriguing noms de plume such as Cheetah, Katniss Everdeen (from the Hunger Games book and movie series), Mary Poppins, Minnie Mouse and Ellie the Elephant.

The pen pals exchange letters each week, and the more they get to know each other, the more May-December friendships are flourishing. Sky Marcos, director of programs at the center, said she launched the multi-generational program to encourage letter writing skills and to give seniors a project where they get a chance to interact with younger people.   

Marcos and Cranston West teacher Lynn Shaw, a literacy specialist, say it has been an unqualified success. And it’s hard to tell, they say, which group is more excited when each new packet of letters arrives. Shaw said the students meet once a week to write together, but many spend more time on their own perfecting their missives. She is joined in working with the students by other teachers and the school librarian – all of whom are enthusiastic participants.

Heidi Carla, an employment specialist with the Cranston School Department, worked with Marcos to get the program started. She said she is excited about both its academic and emotional benefits.

“In this day and age when kids spend more time on their phones and social media sites than in face-to-face communication, this activity is a vibrant and meaningful one,” Carla said. “This intergenerational activity is an opportunity for students to practice engaging with others and to delight in their shared interests and discoveries. “

The letters have become more personal as students ask their new friends about places where they have lived, their families and even about the first love of their lives. The seniors are learning about what the teens like, their travels and their favorite snacks.  Recently, one senior writer included an easy peanut butter cookie recipe in her letter to a student, and librarian Susan Evje baked a batch for the class.

Marcos said that the friendships being made mean so much to both the young and older writers. One week, she said, a student who was out sick insisted that his parents still deliver his letter to the school so he wouldn’t miss a week of corresponding.

The 10-week project will culminate on May 15 when the seniors plan to visit the school and will reveal which fictional name they’ve been writing under.

Student Haily Blais said she can’t wait. “I really feel like I’ve made a friend,” she said, adding that her correspondent signs their name as Minnie Mouse.  Blais loves each new letter she receives and has lots more she wants to share as well.

And she’d really to make some of her own favorite recipes for her new friend. “The more we write,” she said, “the more I think that we have in common.”