THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 5, 1995 TAG: 9511040102
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
THE TRADITIONAL ``buddy system'' has taken on new meaning for some local students, thanks to a partnership between Creeds Elementary School and Green Run High School.
With the unofficial theme ``Where the Country Meets the City,'' the program is teaching a class of second-graders and 25 high school students firsthand what diversity is all about.
The partnership pairs young students from the small, rural elementary school with older students from the large, urban high school, through visits, field trips and letter exchanges.
``It's such a wonderful program,'' said Elizabeth Poellnitz, the Creeds teacher who established the partnership with Green Run social studies teacher Marion Broglie in 1993. ``It's so positive for both sets of students.''
The teenagers, who were selected by Broglie based on their involvement in academic organizations, sports and other school activities, have stopped by Creeds twice this school year. During their most recent visit, the high school students dressed in different animal costumes to reinforce the second-grade unit on animals and joined the children's Halloween party.
``We try to tie activities in with the second-grade curriculum,'' Poellnitz said. The pen pal activity, for example, helps second-graders apply their friendly letter-writing skills. ``It's perfect,'' she added.
Upcoming activities include a Thanksgiving feast, a visit from Santa Claus and trips to local museums. ``They look forward to it every month - it really is one of the highlights,'' Poellnitz said of her group. ``They count down the days on the calendar.''
The Green Run students look forward to meeting with their buddies as well. ``All the students enjoy it,'' Broglie said. ``They wouldn't do it if they didn't.
``Many of them have to juggle their schedules because of other activities. They seem to get a lot out of it,'' he said.
Senior Beth Gnatiuk, 17, is proof, as she has been involved in the partnership since its beginning. ``I like the idea of coming here and being a mentor once a month,'' she said. ``It makes me feel like I'm making a difference.''
Some of the program benefits are immediate for the students - such as the exchange of smiles and hugs - while others are long-term.
Not only do the one-on-one relationships allow students to interact in academic and social arenas, they help participants get a grasp of social, cultural and economic differences.
``I think this experience is helping to make them aware of the diversity of a multicultural society by exposing them to different people from different environments,'' Poellnitz said.
Some students, such as senior Christine Bean and Creeds third-grader Kelly Liford, have ongoing relationships from the past. They still talk on the phone and hope to see each other soon.
``I feel like her big sister,'' the 16-year-old said.
Broglie said this kind of responsibility and feeling of belonging helps build the older students' self-esteem. ``They have these little kids that look up to them.''
Poellnitz was motivated to implement the program locally in 1993, only months after getting wind of a similar partnership in the Alabama school where she student-taught. A 1989 graduate of Green Run, Poellnitz approached Broglie, one of her former teachers, and the schools came together.
The program has been rewarding for all involved and the sponsors plan to keep it around in coming years.
They won't hear any complaints from the students. ``It's fun seeing what you were like when you were a kid,'' said 17-year-old Phillip Newallo, a senior. ``It helps you remember the past.
``But it also helps you with the future, since these are the people who are going to be taking care of us,'' he added. ``I think you can make an impact early.'' by CNB