By Bill Herrfeldt
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

A lot happened in 2003. Fox Run opened the doors to its first residents, including Barbara Birmingham and her husband Roy who moved from Livonia. The Franklin Road Christian School opened right nextdoor, too. Roy was a career educator, and Barbara taught school until their first child was born.

It was only natural that their love of children, and their many years of teaching, brought the Birminghams and the Franklin Road Christian School together almost immediately. Barbara and Roy have been mentoring the school’s fourth grade class ever since.

Today, over 30 people who live at Fox Run are involved with the school, one of many places Fox Run folks volunteer their time. The school has over 200 students attending kindergarten through 12th grade.

School Bell Rings
Barbara developed a program to introduce the students to people who live at Fox Run.

“To start the school year, we invite a class of about 20 children to Fox Run, and challenge them to introduce themselves to people here with different backgrounds than theirs, whether they are from a foreign country, of different ethnicity, and so forth. It is both an ice breaker, and a way for kids to feel more comfortable talking with strangers,” says Barbara.

Later in the year, the children and volunteers turn the spotlight on recent history. They prepare for the project by researching major events, by decade.

“What we had to say about the 30s and 40s came as a big shock to the children, while what they told us about the 80s and 90s took us by surprise as well.

“We all learned so much. Such intergenerational sharing is really interesting, and it is a big reason why we are excited about being involved,” she adds.

Back to School
Learning about people who made a significant impact throughout this country’s history is of great interest to both school children and the people living at Fox Run who are involved with the program.