A marvelous new collaboration is taking place between two Catholic
schools in neighboring towns; senior members of the National Honor Society from
Benedictine Academy in the Westminster section of Elizabeth are tutoring
Hillside Catholic Academy third grade students. In a program dubbed “Study
Buddies” by HCA’s principal, Michael J. Butchko, third graders Michael Lopes,
Angelina Sabb and Jequan Stribling are paired one-on-one with mentor/tutors Dinh
Do, Andrea Mendoza and Vanessa Rodriguez.
The BA students assist their charges with
homework, and help them review for tests during HCA’s post-dismissal Aftercare
Program. The Benedictine students and their moderator, Sister Kathleen McHugh,
SSC, who also provides the tutors’ transportation to and from HCA, are pleased to
perform this service. Andrea Mendoza said “it is nice to help the
children...some parents don’t have the time to help at home because they are
working.” Another of the student mentors, Dinh Do, commented “We learn as much
as (the third graders) do, and we get to practice the virtues of patience,
kindness and compassion.”
HCA third grade teacher, Judy Jones, stopped by during a
recent session, and asked the tutors to review a story called “Radio Rescue”,
as the youngsters would be tested on the story the following day. Asked how the
tutoring is going, she responded she is “Very excited to have the opportunity
for HCA students to participate in the program. It is greatly appreciated.” She stated
she “is sure they will be helped tremendously.”
Principal Butchko’s proposal to Benedictine Academy
Principal Kenneth Jennings, was to pilot “Study Buddies” on a small scale and
then, upon assessing how well it worked, to expand it to assist more HCA
students. The program will continue until the end of this term, at which time
it will be evaluated.
Benedictine Academy is an all female Catholic high school
which offers a rigorous academic college preparatory program. Hillside Catholic
Academy is a co-educational K-8 school which prepares students for the
challenges of high school.
For more information about HCA’s “Study Buddies” program,
please call (908) 686-6740 or email admin@hillsidecatholicacademy.org.
PUBLICITY CONTACT:
Rosemary Anderson, Benedictine Academy Office of Development, 908- 352-0670,
ext. 105
