The Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School boys and girls basketball teams got off the court and into the classrooms on Friday.

In an effort to build community and teach the high schoolers some life skills, Old Colony Superintendent Aaron Polansky and Acushnet Superintendent Steve Donovan teamed up to get the basketball players to read stories to the elementary school classes.

"I wanted the basketball players to be more than basketball players," Polansky said. "I want them to mentors and role models."

Each Old Colony student split up and went to a classroom to read to the younger students. Polansky said his hope was that his students could learn "soft skills" such as presentation skills, eye contact and smiling.

"We need to think about what it takes to prepare for the real world," he said. "I'm really proud of what our kids did."

Acushnet Elementary Vice Principal Cheryl Greeson said that not only was it good practice for the Old Colony students, but it was something enjoyable for the younger kids too.

"Our little ones love having people read to them," she said. "This was a good way to build community and connections."

This was the first time Old Colony and Acushnet have teamed up like this, but both superintendents agreed it wouldn't be the last.

"Hopefully we'll be able to do other things too and further our partnership," Donovan said.