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Primary school principal spotlights long-running 'Reading Buddies' volunteer program
Summary
Shana Reskowitz, the primary school principal, showcased the Reading Buddies program (run with Kinship) that pairs volunteers with the same child twice a month; the program began in 2002, volunteers have declined from ~50 to about 22, and the principal showed a student video and photos.
Shana Reskowitz, the primary school principal, presented the school’s Reading Buddies program to the board, describing it as a long-running community-volunteer effort run through Kinship that pairs community volunteers with the same student twice a month to build reading relationships.
Reskowitz said Reading Buddies has operated at the primary school since 2002. She told the board that volunteer participation peaked at roughly 50 but now about 22 volunteers regularly visit classrooms; volunteers include retired teachers and working adults who come during the school day. The program matches volunteers to students so the same child is read with by the same volunteer on each visit, and volunteers often share lunch with students and attend end-of-year celebrations.
Reskowitz showed a short video of students talking about the program and shared photos of volunteers and classrooms. Board members praised the program and noted succession planning and recruiting will be important if long-serving classroom teachers retire.
The board acknowledged Reading Buddies as a meaningful community partnership and thanked staff and volunteers for their work.
