JENKINS TWP. — Christmas joy was spread throughout the Partridge Tippett Nursing Facility, thanks to students from Wyoming Area Catholic School.

Fourth- and fifth-grade students from the Exeter-based Catholic school entertained the seniors at the nursing home by singing traditional Christmas songs and presenting them with gift bags.

The bags were decorated with Christmas themes and contained paper ornaments for the seniors to hang on their bedroom doors as well as a card wishing them a Merry Christmas.

“We try to do this every year,” said James Renfer, fourth-grade teacher. “It’s to get (the seniors) into the Christmas spirit.”

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The students sang a few verses from 15 Christmas songs, including favorites such as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells,” Silent Night” and more.

As the show went on, fifth-grade student Caitlyn Maslar noticed the seniors getting into the Christmas spirit.

“I liked when most of the senior citizens sang along with us,” the 10-year-old said.

Other students had favorite parts of the show, such as fourth-grade student Stephen Renfer, 10, who said his favorite part was when the students took turns playing Christmas songs on the piano in between the singing.

Handing out the Christmas bags was the favorite of fifth-grade student Aiden Morgan, 10, while Claire Conningham, 10, just enjoyed making the seniors happy.

“We just like to make the residents smile,” said the fifth-grade student.

Wyoming Area Catholic School is not the only school to bring Christmas cheer to the seniors at the facility, as Assistant Activities Director Shelli Ratchford said others have participated in the past.

“Pittston Area came previously and we’re trying to rekindle them coming back,” she said. “They couldn’t make it this year, but they did come in previous years. It’s a great thing and we wish we could get more schools to come and do seasonal programs such as Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

Ratchford said other groups, such as the Jenkins Township Lions Club and church groups, will entertain the seniors.

As for the Christmas joy spread by the Wyoming Area Catholic School students, Ratchford said it’s a great stroll down memory lane for the seniors.

“They love children because it reminds them of their own grandchildren and their own children from when they were young,” she said. “It’s reminiscing for them and reminds them of Christmas when they had their own families and when their grandchildren would come to visit. Some of the seniors, their grandchildren are in the programs when schools come to visit, which is great.”

Wyoming Area Catholic fourth-grader Kendall Hadley plays a piano solo.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_PSD122015WACRetirement_5.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area Catholic fourth-grader Kendall Hadley plays a piano solo. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Wyoming Area Catholic fourth-graders Carissa Lombardo, left, and Alexis Romanowski join their classmates in singing Christmas carols to residents of the Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility at Wesley Village in Jenkins Township on Wednesday morning.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_PSD122015WACRetirement_3.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area Catholic fourth-graders Carissa Lombardo, left, and Alexis Romanowski join their classmates in singing Christmas carols to residents of the Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility at Wesley Village in Jenkins Township on Wednesday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Wyoming Area Catholic fourth and fifth graders sing Christmas carols to residents of the Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility at Wesley Village in Jenkins Township on Wednesday morning.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_PSD122015WACRetirement_1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area Catholic fourth and fifth graders sing Christmas carols to residents of the Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility at Wesley Village in Jenkins Township on Wednesday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Residents listen to Wyoming Area Catholic fourth and fifth graders sing Christmas carols at the Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility at Wesley Village in Jenkins Township on Wednesday morning.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_PSD122015WACRetirement_4.jpg.optimal.jpgResidents listen to Wyoming Area Catholic fourth and fifth graders sing Christmas carols at the Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility at Wesley Village in Jenkins Township on Wednesday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Wyoming Area Catholic fifth-graders Morgan Crake, left, Hayden Foland, and fourth-grader Joseph Breck sing ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ to residents of the Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility at Wesley Village in Jenkins Township on Wednesday morning.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_PSD122015WACRetirement_7.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area Catholic fifth-graders Morgan Crake, left, Hayden Foland, and fourth-grader Joseph Breck sing ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ to residents of the Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility at Wesley Village in Jenkins Township on Wednesday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Wyoming Area Catholic fourth and fifth graders sing Christmas carols to residents of the Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility at Wesley Village in Jenkins Township on Wednesday morning.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_PSD122015WACRetirement_2.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area Catholic fourth and fifth graders sing Christmas carols to residents of the Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility at Wesley Village in Jenkins Township on Wednesday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Resident Ann Marie Guitson sings a Christmas carol along with Wyoming Area Catholic students at Wesley Village in Jenkins Township on Wednesday morning.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_PSD122015WACRetirement_6.jpg.optimal.jpgResident Ann Marie Guitson sings a Christmas carol along with Wyoming Area Catholic students at Wesley Village in Jenkins Township on Wednesday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch
Wyoming Area Catholic School students entertain residents at Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility at Wesley Village

By Jimmy Fisher

jfisher@timesleader.com

Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570-704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_JimmyFisher