Giving back: HS students return to elementary school

Baugher Elementary First grade Teacher Ms. Mary DeLong said she began asking for high school student volunteers for her classroom15 years ago. 

Ms. DeLong explained when they didn’t have parents available, she asked former Student Government Advisor Ms. Kellie Brouse, Early Childhood Advisor Ms. Amanda Smith and NHS Advisor Ms. Angela Davis for high school volunteers.  

The young students enjoy having the high school students help work on projects with them in small groups, said Ms. DeLong. “They also love when they see them in other places like sporting events, concerts, plays, stores etc,” she added.  

Ms. DeLong said that not many things have changed since she began bringing student helpers in as volunteers.  

“I would say the only thing that has changed is that we are requesting student helpers more often due to families not being available to help during the school day,” she added. 

According to Ms. DeLong, there have been many memorable moments. They have enjoyed making leprechaun traps, hiding Easter eggs, helping with gingerbread houses and assisting with field day.  

Ms. DeLong said while working with student volunteers there have been “no negatives, all positives.” 

Currently no clubs have high school students volunteering with life skills children. Mr. Rantz said there are multiple ways to volunteer with life skills kids. However, it would most likely be through an internship, he said.  

He explained that students would need to obtain certain volunteer clearances to help.  

Mr. Rantz that said if any students who aren’t involved in clubs have an interest in volunteering with elementary kids, they should reach out to him.