Members of the GJHS Key Club visited with the students of West Side Elementary again this month to encourage good decision making skills, leadership, and to stress the importance and fun of reading. The Reading Buddies program has become an annual program for the Key Club, and one that they really enjoy. “It is great because the elementary students see “cool” kids from the high school reading, and having fun. It shows them that reading is cool.” said Deanna Boerstler. The program helps the older students as well. Boerstler leads a team of Key Clubbers who gain a real-world service-learning experience, by researching age-appropriate books, raising the funds to purchase the books, and then planning a reflection activity that reinforces the themes of the reading. “The younger students learn that reading is fun and the older students learn a lot about the importance of setting a good example, as they practice critical thinking and intra-personal skills.” said Key Club Advisor Tom Staib. The program takes place once a month, and involves about 20 high school students reading with the Pre-K through 3rd grade classes at West Side. Mrs. Kelly Thomas, who coordinates the program at West Side, reports that her students love the program, and is hopeful that it can be continued next school year.
