Handing Down Knowledge

Brentwood, N.Y. (October 2018)—The Brentwood Union Free School District recently began its National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) tutoring program for this academic year. The program offers one-to-one tutoring sessions three times per week between upperclassmen at South Middle School and students at Oak Park Elementary School.

“Members of the NJHS South Middle School take the initiative to understand the way younger students learn, and adapt their techniques to match those needs,” said Brentwood Schools Superintendent Richard Loeschner. “These scholar students work diligently to prove they deserve more responsibility, and it brings them great pride to be mentors to the younger students. The program is a great opportunity to keep our school community together.”

Students involved in NJHS must meet specific stipulations to maintain their position in the program. Academically, they must maintain Honor Roll status of an 85+ Grade Point Average (GPA) for the entire school year. In addition to high grades and demonstrating model character, students in NJHS must engage in community service throughout the school year, and tutoring is the perfect way for them to give back to the district. Adviser Joanne Bartolomeo (6th grade teacher at South Middle School) is thrilled to be working with these students again.

“The tutoring program is a ‘win-win’ situation for both groups of students- the middle school students enjoy teaching and reading to the elementary school students while the younger students look forward to working with the ‘big kids,’ ” said Dr. Bergre Escorbores, principal of Brentwood South Middle School. “It’s fascinating to see students that were once part of the program as the younger students now move on to be the tutors. I foresee future teachers with this endeavor.”

The National Junior Honor Society tutoring program motivates and inspires the younger students to stay focused and organized, prioritize, and study more effectively. The district sees this tutoring program as an opportunity to benefit students in multiple ways by providing community service efforts and encouraging academic success. It is an advantageous situation for all students, and supports the district’s initiative to find new and interesting ways of learning to diversify education.

For more information on the Brentwood Union Free School District, please visit the district’s website at www.brentwood.k12.ny.us.