Bomber Buddies Program Promotes Reading

At S. S. Palmer Elementary School in the Palmerton Area School District, the principal and teachers found a fun way to foster peer relationships across grade levels with a reading twist. One branch of the school’s Student Council, known as the Student Lighthouse Team, is composed of fifth- and sixth-grade students. These students are paired with a second-grade student twice a week to enjoy the treasures of reading during the Bomber Buddies program. The pairs meet in the morning to read together during arrival and breakfast. During this time, they take turns reading books to one another. Of course, there are so many more conversations occurring as a result of the books they share. The second graders look to the older students as role models and become so excited when they see one another in the hallways or at other school events. This program began as a way to help struggling readers and has become so much more.

“The relationships that form as a result of Bomber Buddies are meaningful to both older and younger students. This is so important as we continue to cultivate leadership and meaningful relationships in our school,” said Mr. Ralph Andrews, principal of S. S. Palmer Elementary.