Ferri, ECC buddy program makes friends for life

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Thanks to a successful first year, the Early Childhood Center (ECC) Buddy Program has created friendships that will always be remembered.

The Buddy Program is a partnership between Ferri Middle School and the ECC, where middle school students are paired with children from the ECC. The older students, known as ECC Buddies, act as role models that kindergarteners can look up to.

Buddies help their mentees with everything from assignments, opening milk cartons, and exercising during recess to learning English as a second language. Through the partnership, Ferri students learn responsibility, being a productive member of the community, and gain self-confidence by helping others. Kindergarteners learn valuable skills they otherwise may not otherwise experience.

Patti DelVecchio serves as the ECC Buddy program coordinator. She’s set guidelines for middle school students and expects high standards. Participating students must have teacher approval for classes missed while mentoring at the ECC. They must complete all missed assignments and may lose their privileges if their work is not done satisfactorily.

“I was hoping that they would get that good feeling of accomplishment,” said DelVecchio. “There’s around 50 kids that are involved.”

According to DelVecchio, she started the program for students as an added incentive to come to school and participate in fun activities. Participation also is contingent on a student’s behavior, and all participants must sign a contract agreeing to the program’s terms.

“In order to be part of the program, part of the contract that student’s sign is that they have to be exemplary in terms of behavior and academics, because they are a direct reflection on the school, said DelVecchio. “In order to be part of the program they cannot miss any work, failing or near failing, and I check progress reports and report cards. It’s a privilege to be part of this group.”

The time spent with ECC students is built into the middle school students’ schedules. DelVecchio said that her mentors can help their younger students with virtually anything, and they are free to explore each other’s needs. Typically, students are paired with the same students, however, depending on the situation, the may switch to help another child if it’s necessary.

“I do it because I love kids. Basically, it’s like a teacher’s helper. If they need help with anything, we can do that for them,” said eighth grader Jasmine Guevara. “We didn’t have that experience, so it’s a very nice thing to do for kids now so they can actually feel happy that we’re there to help.”

“There are certain students that, when they see you, their eyes will kind of light up and they’ll give you a hug,” said Sarah Monahan, an eighth grader. “I think the students have favorite buddies, and then they become our favorite students.”

Students have worked on collaborative projects, such as creating the Polar Express Train that decorated the hallway in the ECC during Christmas, and they’ve painted murals at the ECC playground for children to enjoy.

“These buddies have been phenomenal, teachers have raved about the work that they’ve done,” said DelVecchio.

While most of the Ferri participants in the program are in eighth grade and are now moving to the high school, demand from current seventh graders to join the program is high. Those leaving said they would definitely recommend the program to others and hope that it is successful next year.

“It’s the best program that we have at the school,” said eighth-grader Maria Soares.

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