PERU – About 40 Canton Elementary School children had a get-acquainted visit with their counterparts at Peru Elementary School on Thursday.
Last month, a majority of Canton residents and SAD 21’s Consolidated School Board voted to send Canton students to the Peru school next fall.
“The Peru kids were very excited,” said Peru first-grade aide Jessica Robinson. “They couldn’t wait to meet the Canton kids. All of them. They couldn’t wait to make new buddies.”
She said the Peru children made cards and wrote letters to give to their counterparts.
“The kids were very excited about going to Peru today,” said Canton educational technician Megean Eggert. “They thought it was funny that they got name tags.”
While watching them eagerly get to know their new friends in an name-game beanbag toss, she said, “This is so good for them to be able to interact before school starts next year, just so they can see them, and learn their names, so that the apprehension is not so high when they come in in the fall,” Eggert said.
Every student, teacher and administrator wore a name tag.
It didn’t take long for friendships to bloom.
Eggert said that while watching the children file past her into their classroom after recess, she saw Canton first-grader Reilley Hicks holding hands with Peru student Jessie Carrier.
When the two girls got closer, Eggert said Reilley told her, “I already have a new best friend.”
“That’s how quick friendships are made,” Eggert said.
Comments are no longer available on this story