North Ridge Elementary students value reading and time spent together. This is evident in a program that has breathed new life this year called Reading Buddies. The program has history on the campus, starting more than ten years ago, but was not active this year until a group of fifth graders took initiative to launch the program once again.

 

Reading Buddies is a program that includes a younger student and an older student and gives them the opportunity to meet up two times a month to read. It gives students a chance to interact, learn and grow together.

 

The fifth grade Student Council officers were the ones who took the lead to ask Mrs. Stroope, Principal at North Ridge, if they could introduce the program again. These fifth graders were in the grade level that participated as Kindergartners. The administrators at North Ridge voted on whether or not to bring the program back, and it was a unanimous "yes!"

 

Thanks to the leadership of both staff and students, the Reading Buddies program is alive and well at North Ridge again. Both older and younger readers are seeing a huge benefit and look forward to their weekly time together.