People say kids these days don't care about anything and aren't willing to help anyone else out. Lori Penzi's developmental reading classes are out to prove them wrong.
FHS students in Penzi's reading class tutor second graders at Elrod elementary school once a week, with each high school student having a second grade "buddy" from Toni Gunnerson or Dee Manning's second grade class. This is the beginning year of the reading buddy program.
The buddies read together for half an hour each week. Between the two groups, each second grader gets an additional hour of reading per week.
"It's a great opportunity for them to get more practice reading," said Manning. "I think their reading has already improved."
It may sound easy, but the high school student does not simply hand the second grader a book and sit back and to rest. The groups work from a very structured program called "First Steps."
This program was set up by Dr. Carol Santa, a reading specialist. The high school students also spent a few weeks in training to teach the program. The program includes reading and phonetics.
"We're teaching them a lot," said junior Todd Vetrone. "My buddy has learned a lot about phonetics and reading skills."
All of the teachers involved think that the program is successful so far.
"It's working really well," explained Manning. "My students really look forward to reading with their buddies."
"The kids are eager to go out and read," agreed Gunnerson.
Many of the high school students feel that they are helping "My buddy goes through stuff so fast now," said senior Amanda St Marie. "She's learned a lot since we started."
Sophomore Dan Mullis also believes that the tutoring has made a difference.
"It's very educational for them," said Mullis. "I think they will learn a lot."
The program not only helps the second graders, but the high school students as well. The students learn how to carry out a lesson plan, as well as hone observation skills, pride, responsibility, become more observant and see how helpful they can be to another person.
In Penzi's opinion, the most important thing they get from this program is the rapport they gain with the second graders.
"The relationship that the second graders have with the high school students is very special," said Penzi.
One way to measure the success of this program is the attitude of the second graders.
Said Penzi: "Their faces light up when they see their buddies standing at the door."