Bilingual Buddies Blossoms at
Jack Abrams School
Sabrina Palacios waited patiently for more than two hours to speak. The Huntington High School junior came to Monday night’s Huntington School Board meeting to share her enthusiasm for an initiative that is making a real difference in the lives of the youngsters participating in the district’s bridge program at Jack Abrams School.
Ms. Palacios stood before trustees “to shed light on a blossoming mentoring program” that has jumped off to a fast start. Bilingual Buddies consists of 25 high school students who have partnered with Jack Abrams School to “better acclimate” members of the bridge class to the Huntington School District and the community at large.
The bridge program is a bilingual transition initiative designed for English language learner newcomers, according to Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky. Students remain in the class for a year or a portion of it and then transition into a regular class setting.
“The very first day we walked in to meet the kids was nothing short of delightful,” Ms. Palacios told trustees. “Seeing each child’s face light up with happiness was quite honestly the most gratifying moment I’ve ever had, both as an individual and as a mentor. I can undoubtedly say that my peers felt the same.”
Many of the students in the bridge program are recent immigrants to America. Bilingual Buddies has been effective in its mentoring mission with the elementary grade youngsters.
“Being a part of such a rewarding program has given us and the students the chance to create lasting, positive friendships,” said Ms. Palacios about the Bilingual Buddies participants and the bridge class members. “Even more so, it has given us the opportunity to be the true bridge between these new students and their community.”
Trustees were attentive as Ms. Palacios spoke and those in the audience at the meeting were anxious to hear her insight. “It can go without saying that while it is our job as mentors to leave an impact on the lives of these children, it is truly the children themselves who will impact us and our community,” the teenager said. “Hopefully, we will be able to see more of this growth and positive change as the program develops from where it is today.”