Bridgeport High School Students Build Bonds Through Monthly Reading Visits to Elementary Classes

High school students at Bridgeport Exempted Village School District are visiting elementary classes monthly to read to younger students and build bonds across grade levels. On Nov. 4, three high school students visited second graders for the first time, reading books and interacting with the children. The program aims to strengthen connections between different grade levels in the district.

High School Students Share Stories with Second Graders

Junior Adelyn Canter, senior Delanie Allen, and sophomore Eilyn Brinker visited second-grade classrooms at Bridgeport Elementary School on Nov. 4. Each read a different book to the students. Canter read “How to Catch a Dinosaur” by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton. Allen read “There’s a Locket in My Pocket” by Dr. Seuss, and Brinker also participated in the visit. I really enjoyed this opportunity. I think it’s a great chance for kids to see different grade levels at a young age, Canter said. The second graders asked questions and reacted to the stories, with Canter noting their excitement and creative ideas. They were very excited, and they came up with their own ideas for how to trap a dinosaur, Canter said. She added the teacher said the second graders enjoyed the change. They like it, and they said it’s nice to have a different voice sometimes.

First grade reading — Photo: timesleaderonline.com

Students Reflect on the Experience

Allen described the second graders as really interested in the book and having an older kid in there reading to them. She noted their interest in the book’s content. They were really just interested in different creatures that Dr. Seuss has in this book. Brinker, who did not attend Bridgeport Elementary, recalled her own positive experiences with older students and appreciated the program. I remember being in elementary school and loving when older kids would come to our classrooms and read to us, Brinker said. We didn’t have that opportunity as much, but I still remember when we would have a couple high schoolers coming to our classroom, which I always thought was pretty cool and I kind of looked up to them. The three students thanked Bridgeport High School Principal Jack Fisher for inviting them.

Elementary Principal Praises the Program

Bridgeport Elementary Principal Kamaron Sabinski expressed her delight with the high school visits. Absolute pleasure watching our high school students come down and read to our second graders, Sabinski said. She noted the students’ enthusiasm, stating, When asked if they enjoyed this, all thumbs went up immediately. They were all so excited, smiling and enjoyed every minute of it. Sabinski emphasized the value of having older students as role models to showcase the importance of reading. We love having exceptional high school role models come into our building to show the importance of reading and what a joy it truly is to hear the stories read.

Program Extends to Other Elementary Grades

The district’s program also includes monthly visits to other elementary grades, such as kindergarten and first grade, as part of efforts to strengthen ties across grade levels. On a recent visit in early October, sophomore Brett Kuprowicz and freshmen Kason Rosnick and Braylon Brothers visited first-grade classes. Kuprowicz, who is also the elementary office aid, said, It was nice. Obviously getting to read to the younger people. It was pretty cool. Sort of like a different perspective because it’s been so long since I’ve been back there. Rosnick, who has ambitions to go into education, said, It was very nostalgic because that’s where we grew up. That’s where we had some of our best memories as young kids. Sabinski also commented on these visits, stating, It is great role modeling for our amazing children.