At Oak Hill Middle School, something truly remarkable is happening. A group of 24 middle school students had originally planned to participate in a math competition, but found out at the last minute that only 10 of them could compete. Instead of feeling discouraged, they decided to take action and make a difference in their community. The students wanted to volunteer with their local elementary schools, and reached out to Lakeview Primary for the opportunity.
What resulted was a beautiful collaboration between the two schools, with the middle school students helping the primary school students prepare for their upcoming math assessment. It was a first for both schools, but the initiative was entirely driven by the students' own desire to give back and support their community.
Instructional Coach Crystal Little played a key role in bringing this collaboration to life. When asked about the initiative, she said, "The students came in, they were ready to walk to the primary school, and some of them even attended this primary school. So they were excited to walk in and see all the new renovations. And they got to work with students who are in the position they used to be in. They were once in second grade. What better way to be one team, one mission?"
The benefits of this collaboration are numerous. It provides a sense of community, a free field trip, and an opportunity for students to work with their peers across different grade levels. The middle school students get to mentor and teach the younger students, while the primary school students get to learn from their older counterparts in a fun and engaging way. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved.
But what's truly exciting is the precedent that this sets for other schools in the area. This could be the start of a regular initiative that brings together students from different schools to work together towards a common goal. It's a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when we all come together and support each other.
When asked about the impact of collaboration on student learning, Instructional Coach Crystal Little said, "Many times students only receive information from their teachers. But here we have vertical peer tutoring where they get help from other students in higher grades."
So, to the students at Lakeview Primary and Oak Hill Middle School, we applaud you for your creativity, initiative, and commitment to making a difference in your community. We hope that this is just the beginning of a long-lasting partnership that will continue to benefit students for years to come. Keep up the amazing work!
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