PHS students helping youngsters to read

   Ten sophomores from Cranbury volunteered for the program, which aims to encourage reading among elementary schoolchildren.

By: Matthew Rick
   The usually quiet children’s section of the Cranbury Public Library bustled with activity one night last week, as students from Princeton High School gathered with children in first through third grades to enjoy the third year of the successful Reading Buddies program.
   Ten sophomores from Cranbury volunteered for the program, which aims to encourage reading among elementary schoolchildren.
   In addition to filling the students’ community service hours needed for graduation, the high school students also enjoy interacting with the younger children.
   "I love the program. It really gives us satisfaction," Sarah Gordon, a junior at Princeton High School and co-leader of the program, said Feb. 28.
   Sarah, along with Bob Vananzi, also a PHS junior, recruit sophomores from Princeton High School and organize the events for the program.
   Reading Buddies events run every Wednesday night for 11 weeks and take place in both the fall and spring. In addition to encouraging reading, the high school students also assist the children with words they do not understand and challenge them to read more advanced stories.
   The children also write short summaries of the stories they read and keep track of the books by keeping folders in the library.
   "It’s a fun experience. My daughter always looks forward to coming," said Barbara Santoro, whose daughter, Lillian, has been attending the program for three years.
   Older buddies say they find the work inspiring because the younger students are usually curious and enthusiastic about learning.
   "It’s really rewarding when you see them improve," said Chuck Sedor, a sophomore at PHS.
   This is Chuck’s first year volunteering for the program and he said he has enjoyed the experience.
   The relationship between the high school volunteers and the children is great, according to Jan Murphy, the youth services librarian and supervisor to the program.
   "They are such nice kids," said Ms. Murphy.
   The program is coordinated by the library group Student Learning Council, or SliC, which was organized to get high school students involved in events at the library.
   Teacher Kristie Vananzi, a high school initiative coordinator and mother of co-leader Bob, worked with SliC to create the program in 2003 to allow students to form one-on-one relationships through reading.
   The Reading Buddies meet in the back of the library at 7 p.m. To sign up for the program contact the library at (609) 655-0555.