NEWS Walnut Valley Unified School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
December 20, 2010 Walnut, CA 91789
Contact:
Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204
Getting Together Students Blossom in Vejar Buddies Program
WALNUT, CA— Earlier this year, two Vejar Elementary School teachers teamed up to launch a Buddies Program with the goals of promoting leadership, relationships, reading skills, and communication for their students.
First grade teacher Mrs. Jamie Highstreet paired her students with Ms. Jennifer Flores’ fourth graders.
Once a week, the two classes get together to read, teach a simple lesson or craft project.
The fourth graders first learn a skill or technique and then spend thirty minutes teaching it to their first grade buddy.
The teachers never dreamed it would lead to bigger benefits for the students. But it did.
In December, after just a few short weeks of learning and interacting from each other, Highstreet and Flores saw the first graders “take charge” and actually teach their buddies a directed drawing lesson.
Both teachers are so pleased at how well the groups are working together and excited to see the communication and leadership skills blossoming at both age groups.
They believe the program is helping in developing strong minded, future community leaders.
Shown:
Left to Right, Felix Gonzalez, Mateo Evangelista, and Vinnie Yip