Mastic Beach, NY - October 8, 2014 - In order to ease the transition and alleviate some of the jitters of incoming sixth graders at William Paca Middle School, a group of three seventh grade students, Felicity Marigliano, Cristi Sica and Isabella Castro, approached their school social worker, Ms. Rebecca Kristiansen about creating a “Helping Hands Club” to make the students feel welcome in a new environment.

The three students then recruited other seventh and eighth graders to assist and have helped out their younger peers in a variety of ways including helping them find their lockers and classrooms. They also volunteered to direct parents to the proper locations at “Meet the Teacher Night.”

To celebrate the success of the new club and build school spirit, the students recently gathered for an ice cream social where they had the opportunity to get to know one another and sign a banner that states, “Welcome to the Paca Family.”

“Ms. Kristiansen and the ‘Helping Hands’ students have done an outstanding job in ensuring that our sixth graders have a smooth transition into the building,” said Dr. Michele Gode, Principal William Paca Middle School.
 

Pictured: William Paca Middle School “Helping Hands Club” members with the “Welcome to the Paca Family” banner. The three student organizers of the William Paca Middle School "Helping Hands Club” left to right: seventh graders Isabella Castro, Cristi Sica and Felicity Marigliano.