Technology links Sacramento-area first-graders, retirees ... It didn't take long for Bobbi Donovan's first-grade students to shed their hesitation and greet their new pen pals. Within minutes of meeting, kids from Kohler Elementary School in North Highlands were climbing into the laps of residents at Eskaton Village, a retirement community in Carmichael. In October, each of Donovan's 26 students was assigned a resident in the assisted living unit at Eskaton. The kids now call them "buddies."
The kids met with their buddies at Eskaton in December and over the course of the school year have used Skype, an Internet video calling service, to stay in touch. "I think it's a great program," said Betty MacKinnon, 92, who has two buddies in Donovan's class. "All my grandchildren are grown, so I love it." Besides forging relationships, the program has been a teaching tool for Donovan and Adam Hill, Eskaton's assisted living activity coordinator. The children practice their reading and writing by sending letters, e-mails and Christmas cards – and by reading books – to the Eskaton residents. Eskaton residents, meanwhile, are learning to use computers…