By BECKY FLETCHE
Everyone has heard of American’s Olympic basketball team, the Dream Team; and everyone knows about the A-Team. But there is a lesser known team in Utah Valley.
The Esteem Team is Sunset View Elementary School’s service organization made up of fifth and sixth graders. The team is made up of forty 10- and 11-year-olds.
The name of the game is giving back to the school and the community. The team provides the opportunity for students to give service, explained Dalee James, Esteem Team advisor.
Esteem Team members can serve as teaching assistants. This service entails tutoring fellow students, reading with the early grades and assisting others with their math, spelling and art.
Jennifer Baugh, a first grade teacher, has the team members tutor five struggling students by playing games with them. “The peer tutoring is very positive. My kids love working with them.” Baugh said.
Kathe Torgerson, a first-grade teacher, has several Esteem Team members helping out in her classroom.
“It is very beneficial for the class and a good experience for the students to do during and after school,” Torgerson said. “I hope that the younger students look up to them and want to be an Esteem Team member.”
Kristin Scott, 12, has been compiling over 300 hours of service since July. “I help [the kindergarten teacher] with all the kids. We take them down to the computer and to recess,” the sixth-grader said.
“It is good for my kids to see the older kids doing good things,” said Carolee Barlow, a first-grade teacher. “It’s a great opportunity for them to think about the world around them.”
The fifth- and sixth-graders at Sunset View Elementary school become members of the team by completing 20 documented hours of service for any teacher. The student attends a weekly meeting, tutors three times a week, attends an occasional party and receives an “Esteem Team” t-shirt.
