Finley’s Community Club Making a Difference

Faculty advisors Ingrid Moreira and Jessica Mollica have collaborated with a group of energetic students to produce a spectacular J. Taylor Finley Middle School community club this school years.

“The program is a way to build foundations, leadership and a sense of community and family within the middle school,” explained Mrs. Moreira, a dual language teacher at the school. “The program identifies student role models and places them in the role of leadership.”

The community club offers guidance, support and encouragement aimed to develop competence and character of the students. “Community brings upon many benefits to our students from which they can enhance their skills,” said Ms. Mollica, an English as a new language reading teacher. “Such benefits include, but are not limited to, help to develop school culture and appreciation, increasing peer support and encouragement, a sense of belonging, improving reasoning and better decision-making skills.”

Club members really have produced a sense of community within the group, from its monthly meetings and initiatives to participating in Huntington UFSD’s Homecoming Day parade last October.

The seventh and eighth graders who comprise the club’s membership are always pursuing some worthwhile endeavor. “The students created holiday cards for residents at the Sunrise of Huntington assisted living facility,” Mrs. Moreira said. “The students also participated in the district-wide toy drive. We have been discussing some topics such as respect, kindness, responsibility and other themes related to good values. We have a positive outlook for their future and resources available to them within the community.”