Inquisitive students build bonds at Clara H. Carlson School club

Elmont’s Clara H. Carlson School recently kicked off its new club, the Build and Bond Buddies Club.

The club, facilitated by school counselor Jane Dragovich and kindergarten teacher Kimberly Ludwin, was created for inquisitive young learners in pre-K through first grade. During the eight-week program, the students will incorporate a social-emotional learning component with STEM activities.

Fifth graders, who were recommended by their teachers, assist the club and serve as the “older buddy” and positive role model for their younger peers. Fathers, uncles and other father figures are also invited to attend the club each week.

The Build and Bond Buddies Club members visited the Lego Robotics Club on March 25. They received a demonstration of the team’s robot, and each had a turn to prompt the robot to complete a task on the board. The SEL theme for that session was sharing. Following a game of Kahoot!, the students practiced their sharing skills by playing with Legos, Lincoln logs, Magna-Tiles and Play-Doh together.

Dragovich created the outline for the club. She chose the SEL concepts to focus on each week, as well as the activities. Throughout the eight weeks, the students will focus on teamwork, empathy, confidence, decision-making and more.