FULL IMMERSION PROJECTS UNDERWAY OR IN DEVELOPMENT

*NOTE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of i2i*

My eight years involvement with the Meadows School Intergenerational Immersion Pilot Project with SD #22 and Coldstream Meadows Retirement Community was, without a doubt, the most personally and professionally rewarding time I have ever spent as ‘teacher’.  Although the project was a totally unique initiative, and carried the challenges that new directions bring, the joy in seeing 90 people every day find such happiness from merely being brought together, was overwhelming. I do not remember an end of the day when I disembarked from the school bus, back at the home school again, that my eyes did not mist over when I was repeatedly asked by excited parents and colleagues, “Well how did it go today Sharon?” There were no words that could describe the love, the learning, the companionship, the joy, and the empathy that grew from the intergenerational connecting. It truly was learning about life, in life, for life... and it was so much fun.

I cannot be persuasive enough in encouraging any educator interested at all in the notion of intergenerational partnering on an immersion basis to “Go for it!” It will no doubt be the most memorable and fulfilling experience of your professional life, if not your life as a whole.  Amazingly, across Canada this last 18 months I have found care home after care home excitedly embrace the idea of IG immersion, and almost move walls to create safe spaces for the students to call their classroom.

Watch “Whose Grandma Are You?” in its shortened version, again, and know two things. The seniors in the documentary are almost all gone now, but their days with the children/youth were some of the happiest of their golden years. As for what you see in the movie, well it only scratches the surface of the amazing depth and breadth of human relationships, deep understanding of who we are and the history we have come from that was anchored in this IG activity. And all we really did that was totally different was to move our class from our school and to an on-site community classroom location and talk to people older than we are.

CONTACT US.  WE WILL ASSIST YOU IN MAKING MAGIC.

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PROJECT BC LOWER MAINLAND

School & Pre-School Partners Wanted!

Menno Place in Abbotsford, BC, CA is anxious to find a community partner school for involvement in one of two full intergenerational immersion projects they would like to host, one grade 5,6,or 7 and another grade 8,9, or 10. Their facility is excellent and the staff are working closely with i2i to secure interest. Contact us  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Menno Place (Laurel Page) if you are interested in a partnership in intergenerational education.

Nurse Next Door, Denise Kelly Burnaby, BC, CA is looking for Senior Care facilities in the area who are interested in discussing the potential for pre-school immersion. Contact Denise at  www.NurseNextDoor.com or contact us This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Laurel Place and Morgan Place in Surrey, BC, CA are looking for intermediate or middle schools in their area interested in full immersion discussions. Contact us for more information This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

PROJECT NORTHERN BC

This year we are hoping to start a full immersion intergenerational project between an intermediate school and care facility in Ft. St. John.

We will have an i2i contact in Prince George and on Haida Gwaii soon. Stay tuned and let us know if you are in that area and are interested in a workshop.

PROJECT BC INTERIOR

We have Senior Care facilities in Salmon Arm, Vernon, and Kelowna looking for school partners. Contact us if you are interested in opening discussions.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

PROJECT VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC

We are working towards moving a middle school class of grade nines into a modified full immersion 5 days a week (alternating 3 and 2) in the spring.

A Senior Care Centre in Victoria is starting to work on an immersion pre-school program.

Two Municipalities are going into planning stages of large complex care facilities, and i2i is hoping to connect with them at their planning level and build in classroom space for full immersion rotation upon the Care Facility completion.

PROJECT SOUTHERN ONTARIO

In Frontenac Country, near Kingston, Ontario, we have two excellent Senior Care Facilities ready to commence full immersion projects. We have determined “temporary classrooms” in the centres involved, had meetings with staff, and are looking forward to securing interest from any grade four to eight teacher. We will be doing a one hour presentation on October 22, 2009 for the District LIHN.

Interest has been expressed in Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa, and Barrie. i2i representatives have met with the Administrative staff for Ottawa-Carleton, and spoken with administrators and Superintendent in Toronto. Further connecting will take place this fall.

PROJECT ALBERTA

We will be giving presentations in Grande Prairie, Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge this year. Let us know if you are in the vicinity and would like to meet with us or attend a presentation or set up a workshop, on full intergenerational immersion or any other level!

PROJECT SASKATCHEWAN

Several schools in Saskatoon are interested in looking at IG immersion. Discussions have been initiated with care homes in the area. Contact us if you are interested in participating This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

PROJECT TERRITORIES

Unfortunately last year a planned trip to Iqaluit had to be cancelled, but this year we plan to bring a workshop to the Territories. If your area is interested in a half or full day presentation/workshop, please let us know. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

PROJECT MANITOBA

We are currently working with a community group and seniors’ group out of Winnipeg. We will be setting up presentations and workshops in the area. Please contact us if you are interested in attending, or having your own group attend in another area of the province.

PROJECT MARITIMES

We have already contacted the Administration in Nova Scotia, and the Health Care Community in Newfoundland. PEI and NB if you have any interest in IG work, or if any Maritime community would like to have a presentation or workshop, or consultation on a planned project, please contact us .  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

PROJECT QUEBEC

We have a feature on the i2i website for French translation. Just click on the tri-colour flag in the top right hand corner.  We are currently applying for funding to have the Documentary “Whose Grandma Are You?” sub-titled, as well as working with bi-lingual presentation associates who can bring the word about IG to you in French.