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MAY 14, 2026—Ms. Wootton’s 5th grade students are creating a special connection with a classroom several miles away.

Her students are engaged in a pen pal program with students at North Street Elementary School, which is in the Geneva Central School District.

As part of the project, students from each school exchange handwritten letters in which they talk about everything from their favorite, and least favorite, things to asking each other questions, among other topics.

Only about 30 miles separate the Districts, but the distance still gives students a chance to build new, non-digital friendships.

Geneva students sent the first batch of letters, and at the time we talked to some of Ms. Wootton’s students, they’d just received their third round of letters. One student, Mia, said she’s learned that she and her pen pal have a lot in common when it comes to things like favorite stores,  hobbies, and even vacation spots.

“I think it's great to just have someone to talk to,” Mia said. “And it's not like texting or like always on your phone. It's good to just write a letter.”

Another student, Declan, said he and his pal learned they played the same position in football.

The project mirrors a similar effort Wootton’s students took part in last year as part of the “Great Mail Race,” in which they exchanged letters with students across the country. Wootton said she wanted to keep that same spirit with the latest effort.

“It has truly been inspiring to watch my students find so many common interests with students from another school in our area,” Wootton said. “Seeing the smiles on their faces when we receive our letters is amazing! It has been a great learning experience for us to write and send letters! I am thankful to have been able to give this opportunity to my students! “

We asked students if they thought other classes should take part in the same initiative, to which they all told us yes. One student, Addy, told us in addition to being a fun experience, it could even help make new friends.

“If they're just coming to a new school and you would get to learn about other people,” Addy said “And I think that they would like it, too.”