Cleveland Elementary school was recognized as a 2006 winner of the School Bell Award by the GAESP (Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals) at their fall conference on St Simon’s Island on November 5. The award was presented to principal Jean Miller in recognition of the “Amigos” program.

“Amigos” is a tutoring/mentoring partnership begun in 2004. The program was developed by counselor Phyllis Bennett at Cleveland Elementary, counselor Lorabeth Stroup at Fayette County High School and Adrine Green, former ESOL teacher at Cleveland to provide individual tutoring/mentoring for elementary level ESOL students. Initially, student volunteers were recruited from the Spanish IV language classes at FCHS.

As the program has grown, some of the high school students who are not in a Spanish language class have asked to return as tutors and they have recruited fellow students from other classes. The high school students with the most proficient Spanish speaking skills are paired with elementary students with the least proficient English speaking skills. Classroom teachers at Cleveland provide specific assignments for each of the elementary level students which include spelling words, number and letter recognition, oral reading and reading comprehension, math skills and other activities based on their individual learning needs. The high school volunteers come to Cleveland every Friday morning to meet with their “Amigo” for individual tutoring/mentoring. Currently, 24 FCHS student volunteers are paired with 25 Cleveland Elementary ESOL students.

The elementary and the high school students who are involved with the “Amigos” program have all benefited by their participation. Strong bonds and friendships have developed between the students. Both groups have gained a sense of pride and increased self-confidence from their experience as a part of this program.

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