Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010

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In the "study buddies" partnership, volunteers from Morton Middle School help out next door at Cassidy Elementary.

The buddy system is working well for two neighboring schools on Tates Creek Road, where students from Morton Middle spend time with youngsters next door at Cassidy Elementary.

Friends Lauren Bryant and Lauren Ruddy, both eighth-graders at Morton, have volunteered as “study buddies” for three years now. “I like coming back to my old school,” Bryant said one recent morning.

“Ms. (Candice) Frye was my first-grade teacher, and it’s fun working with her,” Ruddy added.

At the beginning of each school year, Cassidy’s teachers can ask for aides from Morton. This year, more than four dozen students signed up to be buddies for a half-hour or so in the mornings before their own school day begins. They serve as tutors, homework helpers and overall classroom assistants.

“Cassidy teachers love having the extra help, and the elementary students develop amazing relationships with their middle school role models,” said literacy specialist Karen Ziegler, who helps coordinate the Morton volunteers.

Terri Potter, a first-grade teacher, is a big fan of the initiative. In her room, the tweens usually read one-on-one with the children and assist with the online Accelerated Reader comprehension tests – especially the logging in and typing part.

“The kids read the questions out loud to their study buddy and then answer the questions,” Potter said. “It gives the kids pride in what they do to be able to show someone how they read.”

The youngsters also review their spelling words and math problems with their buddies.

“They’re kind of like a teacher who’s still in school,” said 6-year-old Daniel Wilds.

Volunteering was a natural choice for Dua Sheikh, who has a little sister in first grade. “I started this to help other kids her age,” she said.

Drawing on her experience as a big sister, Dua has found ways to enrich her buddy time.

“While we read, we also talk about what happens,” she said, adding, “We’re not just teachers – we’re really good friends.”

The Cassidy students really get to know their study buddies because of the ongoing connection. Most of the Morton students volunteer roughly twice a week.  

“We do a training session to let them know how responsible they should be,” Ziegler said. “When you sign your name and a date and time, then you’re committing to this.”

The volunteers not only learn leadership but also provide a valuable service.

“The kids are gaining skills, and the teachers are benefitting,” Ziegler said. “It’s a real neat partnership.”