Scobey Program Connects Younger Students With High School Seniors

Scobey fourth-grade teacher Lawren Olson can say first hand how positive the school’s Big Spartan/ Little Spartan program is for students. The program connects high school seniors with fourth-graders so they spend time together in the classroom at least once a week.

“I was a little Spartan,” Olson, who grew up in Scobey, said. She recalls how fun it was to spend time with her older role models. “I remember one time being taken to eat at the Ponderosa,” she said.

After that time period, Olson feels that the program wasn’t offered for a few years until teacher Kyla Cromwell re-started it. When Cromwell switched to be a science teacher, Olson took over as a fourth-grade teacher and the leader for the Big Spartan/Little Spartan program.

This year’s arrangement features 16 fourth-grade students with their corresponding high school seniors.

Activities this year have included going to the playground together, playing board games and cards. “They love to go to the gym,” Olson said. “Sometimes, I have them help with homework.”

Another fun time was when the students interviewed each other with questions such as what is your favorite color and your favorite book. One fourth-grader and a senior had the same pick for favorite book. Last year, for the first time, bowling was held with the students.

Olson explained that the younger students greatly admire the older Spartans.

“The kids have someone to look up to and they watch them play sports,” Olson said. “You will see them do ‘High Fives’ in the hall. It makes all of them feel pretty special.”

The teacher said the program is also a positive for the seniors to remember their role as role models and to do the proper behavior.

Olson said she has heard from the principal in Plentywood who wants to develop a similar program at that school.

“It’s a pretty popular and cool idea,” Olson added.