A program offered currently at Auburn High School is migrating to Seward Elementary School so that fifth-graders can learn the ropes of leadership and strengthen their core values as they head to middle school.
Seven months after making its debut at the high school, L.E.A.D USA, an organization dedicated to teaching young adults leadership skills, will make its mark on 20 Seward Elementary School fifth-grade students to teach them how to be a positive influence in the lives of others.
“I think certainly the earlier you can catch the kids and help them as they are forming their values and opinions, what-have-you, in life, the earlier you can do that I think it's an easier path as far as getting them on the right path,” said John Alberici, program director in Auburn.
The program, which traditionally focuses on middle and high school students, will be piloted at Seward Elementary School with hopes of being established at the fifth grade level of all Auburn Enlarged City School District elementary schools next year.
The Stardust Foundation is providing $75,000 for four years to fund the program, which is a multiple-pronged effort to harvest a population leaders. L.E.A.D. USA programs exist at the high school, its wrestling team, the Blueprint II program, the Booker T. Washington Community Center, Champions for Life and the YMCA-WEIU.
It was through the YMCA program that brought about the idea to reach fifth graders. YMCA L.E.A.D USA co-advisor Steven Franchina, who is also a fifth-grade teacher at Seward Elementary School, said he realized going through the program that the material being taught to the older students could be adapted for younger students.
“As a teacher, I recognize leadership skills they may not see in themselves, or they do the things that a leader may do,” he said. “So we're giving it a name, we're giving it a face. Showing them those skills I thought was important. At fifth grade they are the biggest students in the building, but next year they will go on to the middle school, where they are little fish.”
Franchina said the skills they will learn through L.E.A.D. USA may be able to help them in situations where there is bullying or if there are difficult situations.
While the program typically requires 35 hours of training, Franchina is giving his students an abridged version. Students first started meeting once or twice after school for training at the end of April and will do so until the end of this month. By that time, he estimates that there will be a total of about 15 to 20 hours of training.
Engaging in community service is an intricate part of the training, Franchina said, and that is something he will pass on to his students. His fifth-grade class takes a trip to Albany every year, but this year money is tight to do this. Students are currently planning a student versus faculty basketball game to raise money for the trip, and they are in charge of organizing every aspect of the event.
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
“I think certainly the earlier you can catch the kids and help them as they are forming their values and opinions, what-have-you, in life, the earlier you can do that I think it's an easier path as far as getting them on the right path,” said John Alberici, program director in Auburn.
The program, which traditionally focuses on middle and high school students, will be piloted at Seward Elementary School with hopes of being established at the fifth grade level of all Auburn Enlarged City School District elementary schools next year.
The Stardust Foundation is providing $75,000 for four years to fund the program, which is a multiple-pronged effort to harvest a population leaders. L.E.A.D. USA programs exist at the high school, its wrestling team, the Blueprint II program, the Booker T. Washington Community Center, Champions for Life and the YMCA-WEIU.
It was through the YMCA program that brought about the idea to reach fifth graders. YMCA L.E.A.D USA co-advisor Steven Franchina, who is also a fifth-grade teacher at Seward Elementary School, said he realized going through the program that the material being taught to the older students could be adapted for younger students.
“As a teacher, I recognize leadership skills they may not see in themselves, or they do the things that a leader may do,” he said. “So we're giving it a name, we're giving it a face. Showing them those skills I thought was important. At fifth grade they are the biggest students in the building, but next year they will go on to the middle school, where they are little fish.”
Franchina said the skills they will learn through L.E.A.D. USA may be able to help them in situations where there is bullying or if there are difficult situations.
While the program typically requires 35 hours of training, Franchina is giving his students an abridged version. Students first started meeting once or twice after school for training at the end of April and will do so until the end of this month. By that time, he estimates that there will be a total of about 15 to 20 hours of training.
Engaging in community service is an intricate part of the training, Franchina said, and that is something he will pass on to his students. His fifth-grade class takes a trip to Albany every year, but this year money is tight to do this. Students are currently planning a student versus faculty basketball game to raise money for the trip, and they are in charge of organizing every aspect of the event.
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
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