ALBANY — Students in Rochelle Cashman’s first grade class in Albany have new pen pals. Each student was matched up with a first grader in Albany, Minnesota. The project started in October and will run through May. The students will mail physical, handwritten letters each month back and forth. The teachers also have been emailing pictures, news of the classroom, information about the towns and videos to each other to share with each class. 

The last envelope sent had Christmas cards and letters. Each student made a paper ornament for their pen pal to hang on the Christmas tree. Students like having a new friend who lives in another Albany. Irene Stokstad was matched up with Leeya from Minnesota. Leeya told Irene she likes animals and she has cats and dogs. Irene shared with her pen pal that she likes candy and her favorite food is macaroni and cheese. Devin Haney from first grade was matched with Nathan and Brayden. They are looking forward to a live chat. 

Students also have been doing research with Cashman to see pictures of the other Albany and compare information. Albany, Minnesota has an EC-grade 5 elementary school with 525 students. It serves the communities of Albany, Avon, Farming, St. Anthony and St. Martin. Their nickname is “The Huskies.” Like Albany, they have a female principal. They have a lake. Students are jealous that Albany, Minnesota has several fast food restaurants; the town is three times bigger than this Albany and is right off an interstate north of the twin cities. This is the third year that Mrs. Hoeschen’s first graders have written to our first graders.