On Thursday, May 15, Steck Elementary School and Hill Middle School will jointly host a picnic to celebrate the end of a successful and fun year with the Book Buddy and Lunch ‘N Book Buddy programs. The picnic will be held at the Steck field, 425 Ash St., at noon.

The Book Buddy Program pairs up sixth and seventh graders from Hill Middle School with students from Steck Elementary School. The two schools share the same property in east Denver. Wonderful friendships have developed through this excellent reading program.

For the Lunch ‘N Book Buddy Program, medical students from the nearby University of Colorado Health Sciences Center read to students from both schools. The medical students visit the schools during their lunch break and read with their Buddy for an hour.

“The programs have had a positive affect on everyone involved in both programs. In addition to higher reading scores, there has been a noticeable increase in self-esteem, confidence and pride among students at both schools,” said Hill Middle School principal Don Roy.

For more information please contact Steck Elementary School at 303-355-7314, or Hill Middle School at 303-399-0254.