High School buddy program quite a self-esteem builder for students

‘These kids shine when they go over to Webb,’ teacher says

Breanna Cunningham was a shy and a bit nervous freshman.

Thanks to the high school buddy program organized by two Hazel Park Schools teachers – Karen Converse and Deborah Schwegler – Breanna has lost her shyness and nervousness.

“I just love helping the kids,” Breanna said. “I love reading with them and doing math with them so they can understand it better when they get older and become adults.”

The high school buddy program consists of students from the high school cognitively impaired (CI) classroom coming over to Webb Elementary three days a week to assist the 3rd through 5th graders in the CI class.

“Our kids are always used to being the ones getting help, but now our high school buddies are the ones helping out,” said Converse, who’s the CI Teacher at Webb. “They get to be the leaders, the ones that are in charge that know more. It’s really a confidence booster for the high schoolers. My kids love when their high school buddies come over.”

The program has been a huge success since its inception.

“My kids love it,” Converse said. “It’s someone that’s older, cooler, not an adult, that has taken a vested interest in them. They listen to them and they get excited to be with their high school buddy.

“I love seeing kids that are used to being helped become the leaders,” Converse added. “When they first come here sometimes they’re really shy. They’re more observers. Then you see them gain confidence. For the high schoolers, they love it because they are useful, they feel needed, they are helpful and take care of things.”

Schwegler said this is quite a self-esteem builder for everyone

Therapy dog program introduced

Hazel Park Schools has started a therapy dog program. Therapy dogs are not the same thing as service animals. Therapy dogs are trained with their owner to provide emotional support for staff and students alike. Research has shown that therapy dogs support psychological and academic growth while increasing social skills and self-esteem in adolescents.

involved.

“These kids shine when they go over to Webb,” Schwegler said. “They’re stars. Their morale is higher. They’re excited to come to school. Their attendance has improved. They’re more motivated which helps keep them on track to graduating. I am just so proud of them. They all have a purpose.”

An added bonus is when the high schoolers graduate and go to Jardon they’ve built a relationship already so when they come to the classroom it’s not new to them.

“We’re building a continuity between elementary all the way through to the high school and then Jardon,” Converse said. One of those transitioning to Jardon this school year is Brandon Wright.

“I might go to college to be a teacher,” he said. “I was a high school buddy since ninth grade. I always looked forward to coming and helping out.”

Breanna admittedly couldn’t wait for the summer to be over so she could be back in the high school buddy program.

“I’m sad when the school year ends because we don’t get to see our buddies over the summer,” Breanna said. “I always look forward to coming here.”

Dr. Amy Kruppe and her German Shepherd, Rocky, will be our first therapy dog to join our team. Dr. Kruppe and Rocky have gone through extensive training to prepare Rocky to be a therapy dog. Rocky is also up-to-date on all of his shots and will stay with Dr. Kruppe the entire time he is on campus and accompany her on visits to classrooms on a regular basis to promote social-emotional wellness and communication skills.

Therapy dogs provide students with a friend and a safe place to come to every day. They create a comfortable, happy, and judgment-free environment. Studies show that children’s reading abilities improve with the use of therapy dogs. Changes in attitudes toward reading, reading skill levels, schoolwork, attitudes toward homework, attendance, and changes in self-esteem and self-confidence can be seen by involving a therapy dog in a school. Therapy dogs have also been known to decrease levels of anxiety.