Coffeyville ? The first kindergartners to have their classes in a southeast Kansas nursing home are preparing to move on to first grade.

But another kindergarten class will take their place in the fall, much to the relief of the elderly residents who have been a part of the first program in Kansas to merge all-day kindergartners with nursing home residents.

“Sometimes I feel lost,” said 87-year-old resident Marian Nelson as she waited to read with the children at Windsor Place nursing home. “I would really be lost if it weren’t for this program. These kids have filled a void in me.”

This summer, the Coffeyville facility will find out what strides have been made with the program that included residents reading to the 5- and 6-year-olds, singing with them, even exercising with them. Gayle Doll, director of the Center on Aging at Kansas State University, plans to measure what difference the children being at Windsor Place has made in the residents.

But she said, regardless of the results, the stories tell of success. “I think it’s been great for both parties, old and young,” she said.

“The synergy between the two has exceeded all of our expectations,” said Monte Coffman, executive director of Windsor House.

The children have learned compassion and kindness, how to be patient as they wait behind someone in a wheelchair or using a walker.

“We knew it would be beneficial for our kids,” said teacher Sherri Chittum. “But we didn’t know how much.”