Schools

Long Beach Students Dance with Seniors, and Everyone Wins

The Life Skills students took a special dance class at the Magnolia Center.

On Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, Long Beach High School’s Life Skills students visited the Magnolia Center in Long Beach, where they joined the Senior Citizen Dance Class taught by Lisa Wisel.

Wisel led 12 of the life skills students along with 15 senior citizens in a dance therapy workshop. The two groups were able to connect and provide each other with support, motivation and happiness.

“The structure and boundary of the choreography, the welcoming spirit and love from the participants, the focus on socialization and opportunity for self-expression all created an educational and healing environment,” said Wisel. “It demonstrated the essence of what happens in a dance/movement therapy session."

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Life Skills teacher Megan Scully said that “the experience was moving and profound for participants.”

Former Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg donated $1,000 to continue the joint dance class at least once a month.

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“This contribution illustrates the strong partnership Long Beach School District has with its community and values the relationships between our seniors and our students,” Scully said.

Photos: Long Beach School District

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