By Michael Boriero
Beverly Hebert, Carol Tawse, and June Alarie have been dubbed ‘the grandmas’ by the students at Farnham Elementary School, after the three spry volunteers spent the past six weeks participating in the Yamaska Literacy Council’s Reading Buddies pilot project.
Every Friday since mid-October, Hebert, Tawse, and Alarie have been visiting the elementary school between 8:30 and 9:50 a.m. to read books to students in pre-k, as well as grades 1 and 2. And they have quickly endeared themselves to the students, teachers and support staff.
When The Record arrived on Friday, the last day of the pilot project, Hebert was reading her students a colourful children’s book, and teaching them simple sign language, as well. Hebert told The Record she has been showing the students how to use sign language since day one.
Tawse was occupying the classroom trailer attached to the building, where the students were listening to her read a book, while colouring and playing games. Alarie was in the teacher’s lounge, keeping her small group of students, one of which is her grandson, happily entertained.
“For me, we have a beautiful trailer and the kids have all of their supplies and they do art and play little games while they’re reading and it works out well because they can’t sit for that length of time just because they’re younger, but they’re really good,” Tawse told The Record.
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