Fourth and fifth grade selected students serve as Peer Helpers working directly with pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade students from 8:30 to 8:50 am each school day. 

Students interested in becoming Peer Helpers were required to complete an application indicating why they would be an effective peer helper and they needed an adult recommendation. Potential peer helpers must also be in good academic standing as well as demonstrate positive behavior. 

Peer helpers were trained as leaders, mentors, and reading helpers through multiple sources including Jim Wright’s program: Kids as Reading Helpers: A Peer Tutor Training Manual at www.interventioncentral.org. 

DRES Peer Helper Program's goals are to 

• foster academic skills, 

• increase self-esteem, 

• provide positive role models, 

• and build relationships across age groups.

Dixon Road Elementary Peer Helpers Program is designed to allow students to help each other where everyone benefits, and it is a major contribution to the school. Peers are known to have a powerful effect on each other and this is a way to channel that effect and make this influence positive.

Mission Statement

• Utilize trained peers in a variety of supportive services in order to develop mutual growth for young students and their peer helpers. 

Philosophy of Peer Helpers Program

• Students have the right to self-development, self-direction, and dignity. Students have the capacity to positively influence other students. 

• Every school has an informal ‘helping’ network.  Peer Helper Programs will give peer volunteers skills to more effectively assist others and the program will then use their existing helping network by providing training and supervision to students.

• Peer Helpers Program will promote acceptance, respect for diversity, academic achievement, wise decision making and career exploration.