Olympia School District leader lauds students for reading leadership 

Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy highlighted Roosevelt Elementary School’s Reading Buddies, a reading mentorship program, at a March 27 meeting. 

The district’s Spotlight on Success for March stated that Roosevelt’s Reading Buddies began organically when a few teachers paired older students with younger students for reading sessions.  

“The Spotlight on Success came out today, and I'd really encourage you to look at some of the things in that, including a really cool article About the Reading Buddies program at Roosevelt Elementary School,” Murphy said. 

The program offers students a supportive environment to strengthen reading skills and build enthusiasm for all learners. 

“Kindergarteners loved the connection with older students; reading together helped promote fluency. The older students guided the younger students in learning small words, creating meaningful interactions and fostering a love for reading,” the district said on its website. 

The district noted that other elementary schools had also implemented similar programs, further promoting literacy and student connections. 

The benefits of the program include giving kindergarteners confidence by practicing their reading aloud while the older students reinforce literacy skills to help younger peers become comfortable reading. 

“Students also appreciate the social aspect of the program. Many expressed joy in spending time with their reading partners, enjoying both reading to them and being read to,” the district stated.