Sandy Hook School Mentors Add ‘A Little Extra Help’

By Laurie Borst

Late last fall, Sandy Hook School’s Assistant Principal Cathy Mazzariello became aware of a few students in the school who could use a little extra help. The students were not failing or disruptive in class, but their teachers felt the youngsters would benefit from some extra attention.

Mrs Mazz, as she is affectionately known around SHS, was directed to third grader Joey Savia. She asked him what he really liked in school and he replied he didn’t know. She persevered, asking, “What do you like to do?” Build robots was his reply.

“There are children in the school that you know would benefit from more practice and interaction,” Mrs Mazz said. “A mentor would be a good influence.”

She contacted the high school and found senior Joe DeVellis who agreed to work with Joey once a week after school. The school purchased a Robotix Building Kit for Joey and Joe. The mentor program was born and grew from there.

Interested high school students were paired up with the younger students after the child’s parents met the mentor. Tony Magliocco, a senior, was the second mentor recruited. He worked with second grader Mehrab Ahmed. Sophomore Emily Kluga joined the group, working with first grader Stephanie Stoyak. Senior Teddy Gissen became a mentor to first grader Bekim Imeroski.

“This was good academically for the children,” Mrs Mazz said. “Their teachers rave about students’ improvements.”

Stephanie’s spelling and sight word recognition improved. Mehrab improved his English. Bekim got his homework done. Joey found satisfaction in completing his robot.

To wrap up the first year of the mentor program, Mrs Mazz and Principal Donna Pagé arranged a small celebration for the students and their mentors the first week of June. Mentors were presented with a gift certificate and certificate of appreciation. Mrs Pagé expressed her thanks to the mentors for their help.

“These are very successful high school students,” Mrs Pagé said. “The younger students could see what it takes to succeed — the hard work, enthusiasm, juggling academic and sports schedules.”

Joe DeVellis will attend Ithaca College in the fall to study physical education and elementary education. “I had a good time,” he said of the mentor experience. “It was fun learning along with them.”

“Every time I came, Mehrab said he hated to stay after school,” Tony said. “But if I missed a session, he told me he missed me.”

Tony, who will start basic training at West Point in a few weeks, said Director of Guidance Neil Culhane introduced him to the mentor project. “It sounded like something I’d like to do,” he said. “I found out later the impact it had on the kids.”

“Both my sisters are teachers and my mom is involved in the schools,” Emily explained. “My mom heard about this and told me about it. I liked the idea.”

And what did the younger students think of the program?

Mehrab said the thing he liked best about working with Tony was they had a lot of fun. “I learned about coins,” he said. Mrs Mazz explained that he was learning about American money.

Bekim was pleased that, with Teddy, he got his homework done. And Joey was very happy that he got to build his robot. “The most fun was getting the head together,” Joey said. The robot was displayed in the school’s cafetorium for everyone to enjoy.