Calhoun County ISD
◄ Fourth grader Matthew Stapp (left) helps his writing buddy, Maddix Delgado, with an activity. Photo by LeaAnn’s Photography.
Writing buddy program promotes higher-level thinking, boosts student confidence by Bobby Hawthorne
L
ike most of the other children attending Port O’Connor Elementary School in Calhoun County ISD, first grader Nicholas Ragusin loves the new Writing Buddy program.
The program pairs younger children with an older mentor-student. They talk, share stories and correct each other and, in doing so, often form a special rapport. Nicholas’ favorite writing buddy is a third grader. Her name is Rylie. When he’s working with her, he listens intently, almost reverentially, as if every word she speaks is pure gold. LeaAnn Ragusin
This brings great satisfaction to one of the Writing Buddy instruc-
tors, because Nicholas is her son and his favorite writing buddy is Rylie Ragusin, his sister.
Superintendent James Cowley
“At home, it’s a different story between them, but when they’re working together at school, they hug and act like they haven’t seen each other in years,” LeaAnn Ragusin says. So, here’s the bottom line about the elementary school’s Writing Buddy program: It works so well that even occasionally combative little brothers and big sisters are happy to sit down and learn together. The program is the brainchild of Principal Tiffany O’Donnell, who is in her third year at the school, located in Port O’Connor. The campus is teeny-tiny: eight teachers for its 100 students in grades pre-K through fifth. > Calhoun County ISD, page 12 Texas School Business BRAGGING RIGHTS 2015-2016
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