Buddies blossom over homework at Brooklyn Avenue

Counting and spelling out loud, among other learning-focused conversations, can be heard at Brooklyn Avenue School every Wednesday after school. About a dozen students from South High School come over to help the elementary students with a routine weekday activity — their homework.

The program began on Jan. 19 and South students were all smiles in helping their younger counterparts. “It is very cool to do this,” said Amelia Van Sertina, a 10th-grader at South. “I want to be a teacher when I grow up so this is good experience.”

Van Sertina, along with the other high school students, were chosen by South Principal Maureen Henry to be “homework helpers” as part of the community service that they are required to do for school.

Dr. Scott Comis, Brooklyn Avenue’s principal, came up with the idea at the end of last school year and worked with Henry for the last few months to organize the program, which pairs the elementary students with a homework buddy from South. “The goal is to join the two schools within the community,” he said, “in an effort to assist children, raise self-esteem, raise student performance and provide an opportunity for high school students to contribute to their community.”

Several of the older buddies attended District 24 schools, Comis said. He noted that the new joint venture between both schools is exciting and will allow Brooklyn Avenue’s teachers to assign challenging homework to the youngsters because of the assistance of the South students. The homework buddies will meet once a week for one hour until June and during those meetings, they will focus on academics, student leadership and creating a “supportive bond” with each other.

At the first meeting last month, Juan Madrid, a third grader at Brooklyn Avenue, was enjoying the experience of learning with his buddy, 10th grader Anne Chen. “This is good and I am having fun,” he said.

While South senior Zoey Carpentieri and her younger buddy, Abigail Cedeno, were reading a book, Sushmita Sadhukha, a ninth-grade student, was working on spelling with fifth grader Anda Hudson. “I think it’s very good to help students,” Sadhukha said.

Over at another table, senior Luis Jaco was flying through learning with his buddy, Zion Guzman Milton. Jaco said he loved working with Milton, who is “cool” and does his homework. Milton was happy to work with Jaco, too. “I want to stay here,” Milton said.

Kristine Profete, a former Brooklyn Avenue student, said was happy to give back to her alma mater.

Comis had many positive words about the new program. He noted that District 24 Superintendent Dr. Edward Fale was very supportive of his idea and that he was grateful for Henry’s assistance and the service of the South students.