Brave challenge moves beyond middle school

MOSES LAKE - Chief Moses Middle School students are taking "The Brave Challenge" beyond Chief Moses Middle School.

This year, students at the middle school are trekking to elementary schools within walking distance to help teachers and mentor students.

"We're trying to get to where every student in this school is part of the community," said Chief Moses Middle School teacher Samantha Myers. "Part of that is giving back to the community."

The goal is for approximately 16 middle school students to help out once a week, alternating between Lakeview Terrace Elementary and Garden Heights Elementary, she said.

At a visit to Lakeview Terrace last week, middle school students played games with some kindergarten students and read to others.

"Last week, they were outside at recess with them," said Myers. "They had a blast. ... Last week we helped first graders cut out big parts for an art project. Each week it changes a little bit, whatever they need help with."

It's encouraging for Lakeview Terrace Kindergarten Teacher Pam Harris to watch the middle school students mature and progress enough that they're willing to come back to an elementary school to help out, she said.

"It's good for (the elementary students) because they see the positive things that they can do as they get older," she said. "I really think it connects the junior high to the elementary school."

There's also a family element, because of some of the middle school students have siblings in the elementary school classes they help out, she said.