It’s rare that a child gets actual mail, noted Fairfield Elementary School fourth grade teacher Alexa Brindisi, so it was an exciting moment on March 20 when handwritten letters arrived for them.
The students received responses to their initial letters to other peers in the Massapequa School District. Ms. Brindisi’s youngsters are now pen pals with Giana DiCostanzo’s fourth graders at East Lake Elementary School. The Fairfield students wrote the first letters, introducing themselves and sharing about their school. A few weeks later, they received responses, which Ms. Brindisi handed out to great excitement.
Both classes hand wrote the initial letters. For the next round, they are planning to use Canva to liven up their letters with colors, fonts and graphics.
“For the first time, we wanted them to have that pencil to paper experience,” Ms. Brindisi said.
Ms. Brindisi and Ms. DiCostanzo are both new to the district this year and met over the summer at new teacher orientation. They became friends and have stayed connected throughout the year. Now their students are forming connections, and Ms. Brindisi said it is great for them to get to know some of their future classmates at Berner Middle School.
In addition to forming new friendships, the pen pal project helps students work on their writing skills, such as using transition words and proper punctuation. Before the school year ends, the two classes plan to get together virtually over Google Meet so every student can put a face with the name.