On Tuesday, March 17, Ms. Mann and Mrs. Wilson’s fifth grade class welcomed Mrs. Kulesa’s Leadership class for a fun and meaningful afternoon together. After spending the past month as pen pals, exchanging letters and getting to know one another from afar, both groups were excited to finally meet face-to-face.
The visit began with time to connect, as students eagerly introduced themselves and continued conversations that had started on paper. Leadership students then guided everyone through an engaging icebreaker, tossing a beach ball around the room and answering questions like “What’s your favorite hobby?”, “What music do you like?”, and “How do you feel about going to middle school?” The activity sparked laughter and helped strengthen the growing connections between the two groups.
Beyond the fun, the Leadership class shared valuable insights with the fifth graders about what it means to be a leader. They discussed ways students can demonstrate leadership in their daily lives and explored opportunities to get involved in their school and community. Together, both classes brainstormed how they could continue to lead and support one another moving forward.
The afternoon continued with a festive St. Patrick’s Day–themed scavenger hunt. Working collaboratively, the fifth graders put their newly discussed leadership skills into action as they searched for a missing pot of gold, reinforcing teamwork and problem-solving along the way.
To wrap up the visit, fifth graders had the opportunity to ask questions and seek advice about the transition to middle school, gaining valuable perspective from their older peers. Before parting ways, both classes agreed to keep their pen pal connection going and even began planning a future pen pal–themed kickball tournament to enjoy together in the warmer months.