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High school students launch Book Buddies program to boost elementary reading
Summary
High school students presented a volunteer tutoring program called Book Buddies that provides personalized book bags, sight‑word activities and weekly games to support elementary students’ reading and comprehension following COVID‑19 learning disruptions.
Abby Greenlee, a junior and student representative, introduced a new Book Buddies club started by Moline High School students to provide one‑on‑one reading support for elementary students. “Our mission is to provide individualized support to elementary school students,” Greenlee said during the board meeting. The club’s goals include improving reading and comprehension scores and giving high school volunteers leadership and teaching experience.
Savannah Daniels, who presented details of the program, said the club formed in response to learning losses and reduced in‑person reading support after the COVID‑19 pandemic. She said many elementary students lacked at‑home reading support and that Book Buddies aims to close that gap. “We wanted to be the change and help them in their reading and writing,” Daniels said.
Daniels described the club’s core activities: each elementary student receives a personalized book bag with leveled books, flashcards and sticker charts; volunteers read with students and use end‑of‑book comprehension questions to check understanding; the club runs weekly engagement activities such as sight‑word bingo and short games to keep students motivated. A teacher at Jane Addams Elementary helped the students assemble the book bags, Daniels said. Volunteers give small prizes when sticker charts fill a row to reinforce progress.
The presenters emphasized that the program also benefits high school members by providing hands‑on experience; some participants are enrolled in the district’s Grow Your Own program. Daniels and Greenlee said the club tracks student reading levels and adjusts materials weekly to match progress.
Board members asked brief follow‑up questions about the volunteer pairing and duration; the presenters said each elementary student is assigned the same high school buddy to provide a consistent contact and that buddies share the student’s language when possible.
The report concluded with the presenters noting the program’s volunteer and engagement focus and asking the board to recognize the student organizers. There was no board motion attached to the presentation.
