Teens, adults find reward in helping youngsters
By ROWENA PLETT
Reporter / photographer
Rex Wilson goes to Marion Elementary School three mornings a week to meet with students and help them with math problems. He is a participant in a volunteer program instituted by MES Principal Stan Ploutz.
When Wilson volunteered, he was given the choice to assist with reading or math. Math seemed the likely choice because he taught the subject for many years before retiring from teaching.
"I really enjoy the students," he said. "We've been working to try to improve some math skills and, according to reports, there's been positive progress."
Kylie Hardey is president of the Key Club at Marion High School. She and other members also are participating in the volunteer program. She assists third graders.
"We hang out with the kids and help them with reading or math," she said. "I like it a lot. You get to interact with the kids and help them."
Ploutz is in his first year as principal at Marion Elementary School. He wanted to find a way to bring volunteers into the school to assist students one-on-one.
"Every student can use a volunteer," he said. "It's a healthy, constructive thing."
Ploutz asked Title I aides Anne Collett and Laurie Secrest to coordinate the volunteer program.
They sent letters to adults in the community, asking for their participation. So far, twelve have become involved.
In addition, 11 members of the Key Club at Marion High School, who were looking for a community service project, were recruited. The local chapter was established several years ago. It seeks to develop leadership skills, provide service opportunities, and give vocational guidance.
Collett and Secrest accept specific requests for assistance from teachers, then line up volunteers who contact the teachers and work with the students.
Adult volunteers tend to have more time than high school students, Collett said. They can offer a bigger block of time and often are available at any time throughout the day. They focus on basic math concepts and reading practice.
Teenage volunteers more often are available at the end of the school day. They help students in various ways such as gathering and organizing materials to work on at home or making a phone call. They also provide extra practice in math and reading.
Key Club participants are Amy Waner, Krystal Williams, Natasha Steinborn, Kylie Hardy, Lena O'Connor, Misti Richmond, Stephen Bowers, Amanda Steiner, RoxAna Cozarrubias, Whitney Wear, and Katie Zogelman.
The program has been active for only one month and already it is producing results, coordinators say.
"The elementary school students love to see the high school students," Secrest said. "They easily become friends. The teen-agers become the children's role models."
Collett and Secrest encourage others in the community who would like to volunteer to call the school. They suggest that businessmen could come in during the lunch hour and spend a half-hour with a student.
The coordinators are planning to send more letters to people in the community and are hoping for more volunteers.
"I'm very pleased that we were able to get so many involved," Ploutz said. "We hope to form a good link between the schools and the community. As a result, we will see growth in student learning and success."
