Seventh and eighth-grade AVID students at Edison Jr. High School have been making trips across the street to Earl Hanson Elementary School. 

 

It's part of an AVID Service Learning Project. AVID (Advance Via Individual Determination) is a set of strategies used by educators to prepare students in the academic middle for four-year college eligibility.

 

Students in Mrs. Weber's class visit third-grade students at Earl Hanson once a month. The students had their first visit in September. 

 

"it was a huge success," said Mrs. Weber.

 

The students introduced themselves and asked getting to know you questions to spark discussion. Then students read for 20 minutes together. They ended their time playing outside to continue to build the relationship.

 

"My AVID students loved this experience and look forward to going back," said Mrs. Weber.

 

In the past, Weber's students used to work with residents at Friendship Manor but COVID put an end to that. With Earl Hanson's location and being an AVID school this year Weber says it seemed fitting that the two schools partner together. 

 

The goal is to place the junior high students in a leadership role, using the skills they work on in class. The hope is the elementary students gain good sportsmanship by working on winning and losing graciously during game time and building their reading skills. While also continuing to build their AVID program.

 

Mrs. Renee Williams's class is one of the classrooms that is participating.

 

She says the partnership has been great for the elementary students as well,  "It was a fabulous idea and I am so glad we are doing it."