CAPE SCHOOLS TARGETING NEW TYPE OF SENIOR; NOV. 19 RALLY GEARED FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Cape Girardeau's senior citizens are invited to acquaint themselves with the city's public schools at a rally Nov. 19.

In addition to introducing the seniors to what's going on in schools and the services and programs available to them, organizers hope to develop a pool of potential older volunteers to work with students.

Libby Roeger and Jack Grisham are co-chairmen of the event.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for them to go back into the schools and see what schools are like," Roeger said. "Hopefully they will be so enchanted with what they see, they will want to help out. There are certainly a lot of things students can gain from their experiences."

Those who are interested in attending the rally must make reservations by Nov. 5 by calling 335-1867. Bus transportation is available from five locations.

Roeger said the rally's theme is "Won't You Come Home to Cape Schools."

The day begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Central High School auditorium. A musical slide presentation showing buildings and students will be shown. Entertainment is planned by community and student musicians.

Superintendent Neyland Clark will talk briefly about the school district.

Then the seniors will ride a school bus from the auditorium to Franklin Elementary school.

"We hope to give the seniors the chance to see the facilities and realize what they're like," Roeger said.

Seniors will then tour the vocational school and a free luncheon buffet will be served.

Packets of information about the school district will be distributed including a Tiger Card and a volunteer sheet.

The new Tiger Card gives senior citizens special privileges in the district, including free or reduced admission to athletic events and reduced fees at the vocational school.

Roeger said anyone 60 years or older may apply for a Tiger Card. You do not have to attend the rally to receive one. Those who register and attend the rally will receive their card that day.

The packet also includes athletic schedules, a master calendar for school events this year, a list of facilities available to seniors like the tennis court and the swimming pool, and a course schedule for the Vocational School.

"The whole objective is to get senior citizens and people who've been out of school for a while into the schools. What we hope to get out of this is a lot of people involved in the Cape school district," Roeger said.

The long term goal is to recruit senior volunteers.

"My children have no grandparents here to mix with," Roeger said. "Personally, I feel that senior citizens have an awful lot to offer as far as education to all children."

Seniors will be asked to list talents or expertise that they would be willing to share.

Working through RSVP, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, those senior citizens will be channeled into the school district.

Since plans for recruiting senior volunteers were announced in August, Roeger said, one person has already signed up and is working at Alma Schrader school.

Bus transportation is available from the Veterans Home, 8:30 a.m.; Chateau Girardeau, 8:45 a.m.; West Park Mall main entrance, 9 a.m.; Senior Citizen's Center, 9:20 a.m.; and the Public Library, 9:30 a.m.