Little Horses for Little Horsemen

Kindergarten students at John Paulding School had big smiles on their faces as they stuffed their very own tiny horses with a bunch of fluff and a lot of love. Thanks to the efforts of the Horsemen Parent Teacher Association (PTA) the students received their very own reading buddies. The goal is to promote a love of reading by providing them a buddy to bring home and read to each night.

“This is the first year we are doing this. It’s to begin their journey as tiny horsemen and grow their love for reading,” kindergarten teacher Paul Rubeis said as he assisted students put together their horses.

The students were able to choose a horse and a heart to put inside of it, dress their buddy in a red t-shirt, and then promptly give it a name.

“Reading buddies are good listeners, add your heart full of love inside and it will become a good listener,” Horsemen PTA Fundraising Chair Lauren McBride instructed the tiny horsemen.

The idea first came to the Horsemen PTA a couple of years ago when they heard of another district selling reading buddies as a fundraiser. “We loved the idea but we wanted to make sure each student could have one,” said Ms. McBride. “The goal is to do this every year so hopefully every child can have one as they start their reading journey.”

Through fundraising events the Horsemen PTA was able to purchase 233 horses with accessories, enough for each kindergarten student to take one home and for one to stay in each of the kindergarten classrooms.