|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Article originally appeared in the Crier
Middle School. Some of us would rather not reminisce about this time in our lives, when outside distractions sometimes lead us astray. Wouldn't it have been great if one of those outside influences had been a college student? You might be surprised what a significant difference that could make.
For the past 10 years, volunteers and service-learners from Saint Anselm College have been spending time at Southside Middle School in Manchester making a difference. Currently, there are 8 volunteers actively involved in classrooms at Southside.
Southside Middle School is a public middle school in Manchester with 1050 students and 66 teachers. It serves sixth through eighth grades. Fifteen-percent of Southside students are from different ethnic backgrounds and a large majority of these students are enrolled in an English as a Second Language program.
Amy Bragdon, senior Psychology major, is the student coordinator for Southside. "All the volunteers and service learners right now seem to absolutely love the site, love the kids they work with and love what they are doing," says Bragdon.
Volunteers at Southside are generally placed in an Academic Resource Room or a classroom for students with special needs. "As you can imagine these are kids who need extra attention; they need help staying on task and being motivated." says Bragdon.
"Across the football field from the middle school is the high school. Every day these middle school kids look across the field wondering if they will ever make it to high school, and that is where we step in."
One such student is junior Erin Latina. "I'm working in a Resource Room for behaviorally challenged sixth- through eighth-graders," says Latina. "I go on Friday afternoons, so I generally help the students with homework and play games with them if they have earned 'free time' (the reward for good behavior)."
Latina is a Service Learner for her Social Work class, and has found that working with the kids at Southside "helps me see some of the concepts we learn in class put in action."
Senior Barbara Joslin is volunteering at Southside partly to gain experience for another service opportunity; Spring Break Alternative.
"I'm leading a Spring Break Alternative trip to Maryland at a school for kids with developmental disabilities and I haven't had much experience with kids with special needs," says Joslin. "I'm in a classroom for kids who are cognitively impaired, meaning they are on about a third- to fourth-grade level as opposed to a sixth-grade level. There are about twelve kids in the classroom, and some are higher functioning than others."
"None of them are required to be in a typical 'special education' classroom, the type I always used to think of; kids in wheelchairs with Downs Syndrome, Autism, etc. There is one teacher and one paraprofessional who are both great and really love the kids. They have made my experience all the better just by their positive attitudes everyday when I go in," says Joslin.
Student coordinator Bragdon comments that there are more opportunities being created for Saint Anselm volunteers. The 21st Century Program is an after-school program that runs from 2:30-5:00 everyday, and provides activities such as a homework club, drama, music, film festival and Lego league. "Not only is this a great way to get kids involved but it is also a good way to keep them out of trouble," says Bragdon.
Another program is the Adventure Program, sponsored by Boy Scouts of America. This program is targeted to at-risk youth, and provides field trips every Friday. The trips include activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking, cross country skiing, and snow shoeing. There is also the opportunity to be a one-on-one mentor in the school.
Of course there are many challenges at a site such as Southside. Joslin describes, "One of the girls was born deaf and her speech has never fully developed, making it very difficult for her to be understood. They have been trying to teach her sign language and encouraging her to use it in her everyday interactions. I don't know sign language- although I'm trying to learn- so it can be a struggle talking to her, especially because we're practically glued at the hip the entire time I'm there! I'm getting better at understanding her, but I really want to try to communicate with her through sign language."
Latina says, "The most difficult part of volunteering at Southside is having to sit back as a spectator when the teachers respond to a student in a way I don't agree with." But seeing what works and what does not work with kids is all part of the learning process.
Despite some frustrations, the challenges are greatly outweighed by the rewards. Joslin says, "My favorite thing about Southside is the excitement that I feel from the kids when I walk into the room. I love that they remember everything. I love that they can't wait for me to walk in the door. I also love the fact that I'm getting to work with kids that are the most special on earth. They are so resilient. They are teenagers, going through the same things that all teenagers are going through, regardless of learning ability, and they don't see themselves as different. If someone points out their differences to them, they bounce right back and are able to respect who they are."
"My favorite part about working at Southside is getting to bond with kids who, though they are labeled as having poor behavior, are also extremely welcoming to newcomers like myself. They love telling me about their week and what they've been doing," says Latina. "I would definitely recommend Southside to other students who want to volunteer. The kids are great, and since they are just starting to go through those awkward teenage years, they really look up to college students."
Bragdon concludes by saying "My favorite thing about Southside is seeing the smiles on the kids' faces when I arrive. When you report to the same classroom every week you really get to know the students. Many of these kids need positive role models in their life and they really look up to us because we are college students, not their parents. Some kids are so frustrated with their school work and when given a little extra attention they accomplish great things."
For more information about volunteering at Southside Middle School, please stop by the Meelia Center for Community Service in Lower Cushing.
|
|
|
|