Made with caring hands and kind hearts: Benches build meaningful connections with residents at Extendicare Countryside

A shared commitment to the community brought students from R.L. Beattie Public School and Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School together to craft custom benches for Extendicare Countryside.

The initiative began from a Community Connect Learning Project launched last year that paired Kindergarten students from R.L. Beattie with residents of the local seniors’ complex – linking classroom learning with meaningful community engagement.

“Our students have formed genuine relationships with residents,” said Christina St. Georges, designated early childhood educator at R.L. Beattie Public School. “Residents recognize students and anticipate their visits, and students are enthusiastic about spending time with residents they now consider friends.”

Kindergarten student Mariya Bootwala has enjoyed fun activities while visiting with residents. “We make things with Playdoh, we paint, sing songs, and sometimes we talk,” she said. “I like when we play BINGO. We even won one time.”

“The residents love meeting with students,” said Joyce Lascelle, President of the Resident’s Council at Extendicare Countryside. “Children bring laughter and a sense of comfort to residents. They make it feel like home.”

Last summer, while attending Extendicare Countryside’s annual Fun Fair, students realized there was no outdoor seating. This inspired them to want to make a difference.

“Students from Lo-Ellen Park were building outdoor benches as part of a skilled trades project,” said Ashley Royer, Kindergarten teacher at R.L. Beattie Public School. “With that, we saw an opportunity to expand our partnership to create something impactful for Extendicare.”

Students worked together to build four benches. Bench renderings were generously provided by the McEwan School of Architecture and the Institute for Northern Housing Innovation under the guidance of Director Steven Beites.

“My construction students were happy to be part of a project that would give residents, staff and visitors of Extendicare Countryside a comfortable place to sit, relax and take in the great outdoors,” said Rob Smith, teacher at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School. “They worked hard and are thrilled with the results.”

Once the benches were built, Kindergarten students visited the school to decorate them. Wearing their “Kindness Grows in Kindergarten” hats, they used their fingerprints and handprints in a rainbow of coloured paints to create cheerful art that reflected the spirit of compassion and community behind this project.

Engraving plates for each bench were made by students from Lasalle Secondary School with the message: “Made with caring hands and kind hearts.”

The completed benches were presented at Extendicare Countryside’s annual Fun Fair on June 17, 2026. Staff, students and residents joined together in celebration.

“The benches are lovely,” said resident Joyce Lascelle. “The art is so beautiful. The ladybugs remind me of my granddaughter.”

“The colours are nice,” said Kindergarten student Vince Javor. “The people who live here can sit on the benches and look at nature.”

Matti-Leigh Lamure, a student at Lo-Ellen Park, was proud to be part of the project. “Our class made one of the benches,” she said. “It was super fun and hard but we got used to it. It turned out really pretty. The benches will make the residents happy and appreciate that they live here.”

Teacher Ashley Royer reflects on the many wonderful outcomes from the initiative. “This project provided authentic, hands-on learning opportunities that helped students foster empathy, communication skills, and a sense of belonging within their community,” she said. “Through meaningful connections with secondary students and Extendicare residents, our youngest learners are discovering the impact they can have and the lasting difference they can make in the lives of others.”

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171 ext. 7217