Program unites students, kids

Fairview Elementary School's third grade wing bustles with excitement and energy Friday morning. \nSomething is in the air.\nCollege and third grade students are scattered on floors and seats throughout classrooms, hallways and crannies in the wing.\nThey are excited because their Book Buddies from the Honors College have arrived for their weekly reading time.\nAbout 60 students come every Friday morning and read to the third grade students at Fairview, 627 W. Eighth St., in a program that began this past fall.\nCollege students arrive at the school at about 10 a.m. and spend about 45 minutes with their buddy.\nJulia Bondanella, Honors College associate director, created the program early last fall when she was looking for a community service activity in which honors students could participate. She spoke with Fairview third grade teachers who came up with the idea of having college students read with the children. The teachers said they believe the program gives the children individual attention and to gets them interested in reading. \n"The teachers have said they feel the IU Book Buddies have made their students make progress in reading," Bondanella said. "I think what IU's students are doing is really terrific. I've seen such pleasure on part of the children, who have gained confidence and improved their social skills."\n Karen Popadopoulos, the third grade teacher in charge of the program, said the program has been wonderful for the students.\n "The two best things about the Book Buddy programs is that it helps their reading skills and it provides a relationship with an adult -- a positive role model," Popadopoulos said. "I've seen both their interest in reading and their reading skills improve. They get excited about their buddies coming and it provides a constant in their lives that many don't have."\nShe said another of the program's positive aspects is that the third graders are given individual attention that sometimes cannot be given in class.\nMark Ewell, a third grader, said his Book Buddy is special because "she is nice, and I read books to her and she likes my reading."\nSenior Melissa Pelky, who has been volunteering in the program since it began in September, said she would encourage anyone to become involved with a program like Book Buddy.\n"There's a large need for students to help out in the community, especially with younger children," Pelky said. "These kids need some mentorship, and this is a great opportunity ... to get to know kids, and if they need help with their reading to help them, and if they're very good readers to pick out some books for them and to really share a hobby with younger children."\nMany students participating in the program are juniors or seniors who have cars on campus. But carpooling is an option for students, said Elizabeth Smith, a senior. \nVolunteers can bring books from home or use books from the class library. \nJunior Amy Steinberg said she bought a few books the first time she volunteered. She said she plans to check out from the library in the future.\n"Here, it's kind of a friendship. There's a nice trust that's built. We got them books for Christmas to encourage them to read over their breaks and their weekends," Pelky said.