By Mr. Eric White, Student Activities Coordinator, Highlands Intermediate School
Every year, the Highlands Student Council walks over to our neighbor school, Pearl City Highlands Elementary (PCHES) to promote literacy and bond with the 2nd Grade classes. Not only did we read to them, we also played with them too! PCHES Reading Buddies was a great way to take on a new leadership role for us and while having fun at the same time! Inevitably we built bonds and made sure everyone was included and also had the best time 😉 For the Highlands Student Council 8th Graders (big buddies) this program provided an amazing opportunity to practice their leadership skills, taught them how to become better presenters and facilitators. PCHES Reading Buddies was win-win situation for all involved as lifelong memories and bonds were made between big and little buddies 😉
The last day of PCHES Reading Buddies gave a sense of bittersweet closure, as the Student Council reflected on the shared joy of learning and storytelling these past 5 months. The last session ended with gifts, goodbyes, pictures and many, many hugs. While these endings represented the end of one chapter, they also paved the way for new beginnings and opportunities for growth and exploration in the years to come for our little PCHES Reading Buddies.
Video and Photo by Mr. Eric White