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Poland ‘big dogs’ lead the ‘little dogs’
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PSHS senior, Megan Marsico, chats with some of the little dogs. From left, Addison, Kristina, Leeona and Prentiss talk to Marsico about several things. The students are excited to take a break from their normal routines.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.PSHS junior, Briana Musolino, sits with, from left, Alex, Jackson, Paul and Adam. Musolino is glad to help the boys with different activities they are assigned to.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.The pre-kindergarten students at Poland North Elementary School anxiously wait for the Poland .Seminary High School students to arrive at the North Elementary library for the Big Dog-Little Dog program on Nov. 13.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.The Little Dogs wait for the Big Dogs to show up and help with various activities. The Big Dog-Little Dog program started Sept. 18 and has become a regular program at Poland North Elementary and Poland Union Elementary.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Poland North Elementary School welcomed high schoolers from Poland Seminary High School to help the pre-k students on Nov. 12 for the Big Dog-Little Dog program.
The pre-k students of North Elementary waited anxiously in the library for the high school students to arrive. They read books and sang Thanksgiving songs to help pass the time before the big dogs got there.
A few high schoolers would leave during their study hall period and head over to North Elementary. The big dogs enjoy being able to leave their own school and assist the teachers at the elementary school with whatever is needed.
It gives both the high school students and elementary students a break from their regular schedule and switch their days up a little.
“The high schoolers help out with whatever is needed. If the students are working on a project, they help the little dogs with the project. They read stories and are very willing to help out whenever they are needed,” Mrs. Bucci, a teacher at the school, said.
The high schoolers that are chosen to participate are ones who demonstrate leadership and show good characteristics.
PSHS chooses students that they believe will leave a good, lasting impact on the elementary school students.
When the high school students arrived, the children became so excited to see someone new and bombarded the high schoolers with several questions to get to know them.
The Big Dog-Little Dog program is new to the Poland school district starting just this year and so far has been successful.
The first time this event happened was on Sept. 18 and the high schoolers have started to visit on a regular basis every month to mentor and lead the elementary school students with whatever they can help with.