Although the Book Buddy and Big Sister/Big Brother programs are not an official City of Greenville sponsored program, the City sanctions these worthwhile programs through the Greenville Public Schools. Many community advocates for education volunteer their time, talent and money to help make the children’s educational experience exciting and fulfilling. These projects are beneficial to the children, faculty and volunteers. The programs are rewarding and enriching to all. Please enjoy the photos of some of our students and volunteers who participate in the programs.

This working relationship develops caring relationships that increase student motivation, encourage and enable teachers, provide joint community services, and build positive images of all participants. Partners with the schools benefit the students with incentives to stay in school and succeed by improving self-image and by being successful role models.



St. Joseph High School and Washington School have partnered with Stern Enhancement School for six years. With St. Joe and Washington we call it "Trading Spaces!" Both schools provide tutorials on a weekly basis with at-risk students. The emphasis of the "Trading Spaces" program is to build community between our schools with a focus on improved reading skills of the Stern students and enhanced interpersonal skills of all participants.



The focus is the same with the Rotary Club who have been our strongest partners for years. The Rotarians have won state-wide recognition from the Mississippi Partners in Education Association for their participation with Stern Enhancement School.



They were presented the Governor's Award for Excellence in 2003 for their volunteer time with the at-risk students at Stern. They have approximately 40 participants who come in once a week and work with 1 - 4 at-risk students, focusing on reading skills. With all the emphasis on "No Child Left Behind" and the importance of the MCT (Miss. Curriculum Test), we appreciate the assistance of both the Rotarians and the high schools.



The relationships that are formed by these partnerships are phenomenal. The students look forward each week to the interaction with their "big brother/big sister" or their Rotary Book Buddies. Our test scores also reflect the extra attention the students are receiving.



St. Joseph sends their junior and senior classes to Stern on Tuesday and Thursdays. Washington School sends 20 students per week as well. Greenville Weston High School was a participant last year, and we are working on another program with them this year. We also have parents and retired teachers who come in and mentor the students. The Book Buddy program and the Big Brother/Big Sister program have proved to be very worthwhile projects for our entire community.



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