1. The South African Council for the Aged is planning its Age-in-Action 50_year celebrations in 2006 and has requested that all learners reach out to our senior citizens throughout next year.
2. As part of these celebrations, the following special days have been identified to honour our senior citizens in 2006:

  • Week of Older Persons in South Africa, 25 September - 1 October

  • International Day for Older persons, 1 October
  • (Grandparents’ Day in SA is the first Sunday in October)
3. The Western Cape Education Department supports this initiative and principals are requested to include these dates in their planning for 2006 to promote and encourage respect and dignity for our senior citizens.
4. Schools are requested to get involved and to plan at least one project regarding senior citizens during 2006.
5. The SA Council for the Aged has made a few suggestions for consideration:

  • Arrange for seniors to address assemblies occasionally

  • Arrange a tea party for the senior citizens
  • Have an inter-generational fun day
  • Start a food garden at the school which can supply a number of seniors with vegetables.
  • Arrange to paint their facility or spruce up their garden, or start a new one
  • Let learners visit home-bound seniors and interact with them
  • Adopt-a -grandparent
6. Schools are encouraged to add to these suggestions to demonstrate the appreciation of youth for the unselfish efforts of our senior citizens.


SIGNED: DR SHEPHERD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2005:10:19