Students in Riverside High School’s SIDE leadership class got to revisit kindergarten classrooms as leaders on Sept. 17 as part of the monthly Sidekicks program. Now in its third year, the program brings groups from the Student Initiative for Developing Excellence class to each of the district’s kindergarten classrooms. SIDE teacher Jaime McIntyre said that Sidekicks and the class’ other components are intended to teach the high schoolers leadership skills with a variety of age groups. “The students decided that this was the most valuable event to them, because some of them who were afraid to go back into kindergarten classrooms, actually, this is their love,” McIntyre said. “At the end of the year, they exchange little gifts, they get to see them when they come back for clap outs for the seniors, and their kindergarteners remember them.” She said that each visit takes place mid-month and lasts for about half an hour. In addition to activities related to the district’s core values, she said that the visits include an academic component. “We’ve asked the teachers as to what they would like the kids to focus on, and right now, they’re keeping it kind of basic,” McIntyre said. “They’re going with shapes and color recognitions, and as we go through the year, we’ll add in letters and numbers and things of that nature.” She added that as the high school students get to know the kindergarten classes and talk with the teachers, each team will develop a unique monthly lesson to fit its classroom’s needs. High school senior Mady Warner was part of a group that visited Parkside Elementary School on Sept. 17. “I want to be a teacher when I’m older, so Sidekicks really gets me involved with, or hands-on with the kids and just learning more about their lifestyles,” Warner said. She said that the kindergarteners responded positively. “They’re loving it so far,” Warner said. “I’ve seen a lot of smiles, which is what we love. A lot of learning and getting to know everything.” “What I hope to bring is that they have something to look forward to in the school year,” she added later. “We come once a month, so just having that extra boost and having the high schoolers here to help them out is really going to help them look forward to school.” During that visit, the SIDE students worked with the kindergarteners on a “get to know you” worksheet. McIntyre said that it included activities related to shapes, colors and numbers. “They’re always fun and engaging activities, the kids love having the high school helpers come in each month, they look forward to it on our calendar, and it’s a great connection,” said Parkside kindergarten teacher Stacy Inbody. She added that the students are not the only ones who enjoy seeing the high schoolers. “It’s a great way to kind of see some of the big kids, because some of them I’ve had as either a first grade teacher or as a kindergarten teacher,” Inbody said. McIntyre said that Sidekicks started after the SIDE class’ Halls of Holly event was canceled in December 2021. Instead, groups of SIDE students visited the elementary schools and led activities there. The elementary teachers asked the students to come back, and a SIDE student came up with the idea of the Sidekicks program. Beyond Sidekicks, McIntyre said that SIDE students also run the Side by Side program with students in LaMuth Middle School. There, they work to help seventh graders transition to eighth grade on the Riverside Campus and strengthen the district’s culture playbook. She added that SIDE students also plan events, learn about leadership and practice communication skills. “Each of them get to lead in big groups, small groups, at different levels of our actual district and also events in our community,” McIntyre said.