New peer mentoring program a hit in Battle Ground

Battle Ground — The first year of a new mentoring program at Daybreak Middle School is already exceeding expectations. Students from Tracey Pennington’s class take time to visit with their “buddies” from special education teacher Kristina Heikes’ class. During a recent visit, the students worked together to make pancakes. Other times the students help their buddies with school work, creating arts and crafts, playing games or learning about each other. “Mindsets are changing, lives are being impacted and better humans are developing thanks to this program,” Pennington said in a release from the district. In the same release, Ellen Wiessner, Battle Ground Public Schools’ executive director of special services, said, “Students with disabilities show a higher rate of development when they’re in a program with high expectations and strong peer models.” She added that this program is helping to foster such an environment.