Bobcat Buddies build Reading Culture

Students across the district were paired up to launch a renewed Bobcat Buddy program.

The first Bobcat Buddy meeting was held April 17 and organized by the Superintendent Council. The Superintendent Council is a leadership group of high school students dedicated to fostering connection and voice across all three schools. The bookmark making activity was supported through grants received from the Estes Park Education Foundation and the NoCo Foundation. Funding from the organizations allowed the Council to purchase supplies. 

Secondary students joined elementary students to make bookmarks using stencils, stickers, and their imagination. Students enjoyed getting to know one another. The younger students connected with the ‘big kids’. As part of the activity the students discussed topics they like and books they enjoy reading. It was a joyful experience. One highlight came from a second-grade student giving a bookmark to their high school buddy that said, “Best Friends.” 

The district’s goal is to build mentoring relationships, connection, and a strong reading culture across all three schools. Bobcat Buddies returned on Friday, May 9th where students exchanged books with one another. The book exchange will help kickstart student’s summer reading. The district encourages students and families to make reading a priority and to keep the habit through the summer months.

District Librarian, Jen Maley, arranged for every student in our district to receive a free book. The books were generously donated through the efforts of the Estes Park Education Foundation and Macdonald Book Shop.