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Powers Elementary highlights Best Buddies, Big Comets/Little Comets and MTSS gains

3609952 · May 23, 2025
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Summary

At an Amherst Exempted Village Schools board meeting, Powers Elementary staff presented student programs — Best Buddies and Big Comets/Little Comets — and reported measurable gains from the school's MTSS (multi‑tiered system of supports).

Powers Elementary staff told the Amherst Exempted Village Board of Education about two ongoing student programs and improvements in their multi‑tiered system of supports during the board's “good news” segment.

Mary Scott Williams, assistant principal at Powers Elementary, said the school’s Best Buddies program fosters weekly pairings between students and logged broad participation: “we have over 60 students at Powers who participate in this program.” The program included classroom activities, a pumpkin‑patch outing and participation in Special Olympics, Williams said.

Amy Platts and Powers staff described a second program, Big Comets/Little Comets, that partners junior‑high students with elementary pupils for lessons and mentoring. A presenter said more than 100 junior‑high students participated this year and that the junior‑high students create lesson plans and activities specifically for their younger partners.

Teachers and counselors highlighted concrete classroom uses for both programs, including role‑modeling and targeted small‑group activities. School counselors Jill Coleman and Bridal Stalling were credited with coordinating Best Buddies events and trips.

The Powers team also presented MTSS results. A member of the MTSS leadership team said the school has increased the percentage of students “on track,” reporting progress since 2022: “we are closing those gaps and we are having a larger percentage of our students arrive to us on track.” Presenters described grade‑level teams meeting quarterly to review data, adjust interventions and share instructional leadership responsibilities.

Staff said the programs will continue next year and noted plans to restock a small library created as part of the Big Comets/Little Comets initiative and to sustain the MTSS leadership structure. No board action was taken; these items were presented as informational reports and recognitions.