Pupils lend a helping hand

By Denise Dick

This marks the sixth year for the mentorship program.

BOARDMAN — Fourth-grader Jessica Fowler likes helping other people, especially children with disabilities.

That’s why she volunteered to spend each day of her recess at Robinwood Lane Elementary School being a fourth-grade friend.

“It makes me think that I should do it more,” said Jessica, 10.

Children in Jan Zorman’s and Jeanette Tamulonis’s fourth-grade classes at Robinwood are matched with Nicole Hagerty’s multidisabled pupils.

“They give up their recess to be with my kids,” Hagerty said of the fourth-graders.

The program started about six years ago, and Hagerty now has a waiting list of fourth-graders who want to help.

“This year, I have five girls and two boys, and they’re going to be hard to replace,” the teacher said.

Both her pupils and the fourth-graders enjoyed games, activities and a picnic Monday at Boardman Park, marking the end of the school year.

The fourth-graders are teamed with the one girl and four boys in Hagerty’s class, whose disabilities range from severe attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and autism to a chromosome disorder, behavior problems and cerebral palsy.

Jessica and Amanda Jorendt, 10, work with Nicholas Cutlip, 10, one of Hagerty’s pupils.

“He loves these girls,” Nicholas’ mother, Sandra, said. “He talks about them all the time.”

Jessica works with others from Hagerty’s class, too.

The work is sometimes challenging as some of the pupils are prone to behaviors like hitting or spitting. When that happens, Jessica tells one of the teachers, who address the problem.

It’s frustrating sometimes, but not enough to discourage Jessica from participating, she said.

Her mother, Christy Fowler, said the program has benefited Jessica, whose younger brother has autism.

“It’s helped her with ways to deal with him,” she said.

Jessica can use the lessons she learns at school at home, and the knowledge she garners from working with her younger brother to help with the multi-disabled pupils, her mother said.

Fourth-grader Alex Birchfield, 11, and Key’shawn Ivory, 9, searched for a small pebble and muticolored leaves during Monday’s scavenger hunt. Alex signed up for the program because a friend of his participated. Key’shawn calls Alex his friend.

Fourth-grader Brittney DeCapita, 10, works with Gabi Gallo, 6.

“Gabi likes to move,” Brittney said, keeping an eye on the younger girl.

Brittney says she enjoys helping.

Chris Merlino, whose son Anthony, 9, is in Hagerty’s class, said her son enjoys the pairings with the fourth-graders. This marks Anthony’s third year in Hagerty’s class.

“He’s come a long way,” Merlino said.

Anthony’s fourth-grade friend, Nicole Double, 10, likes helping the younger boy and doesn’t miss recess.

“I wanted to help them and make them feel better,” Nicole said.