New program helping student performance in classroom

_{A new district program initiated at the start of the school year is already paying dividends as students in grades seven through 12 failing one or more classes was down 28 percent in the first marking period compared to the same period a year ago.}

_{Academic Student Assistance (ASA) was introduced at the start of the school year and takes place during eighth period each school day. It allows students to receive additional support from teachers and staff, make up assignments, or participate in academic enrichment activities.}

_{“I truly believe that Webutuck is poised for great things with the number of programs that we put in with these types of supports and our students are going to gain from them,” said Superintendent of Schools Raymond Castellani.}

_{“Regardless of what we put in this year, our teachers and our staff are very committed to supporting our students. It’s a privilege to lead a group of educators that are student-centered and want to see students succeed. That’s something that is special for this district.”}

_{Teachers and staff always made themselves available before and after school, and during lunch and prep periods. Students did take advantage of}

_{these opportunities in the past, but ASA holds students more accountable for their work and takes place during a 41-minute class period during the school day.}

_{“I’m glad we did this,” said Tammy Nethercott, president of the Webutuck Teachers Association. “I think it gives students the support they need to improve performance and provide enrichment for those who are already doing well. This program is built into their schedule so they don’t have to sacrifice their own personal time to get assistance.”}

_{Nethercott added she believes there is more to come with the program.}

_{“I would like more enrichment opportunities,” she said. “We have to see what that would mean and how can we do that. I don’t know if we have those answers yet. We’re working with this period and tweaking it to make it better.”}

_{Megan Fisher, a science teacher, had several students in one of her ASA sessions working on various topics.}

_{“I think the program is working,” she said. “It’s helping them stay organized and on top of their work.}

_{“I find with the students I have in ASA, I hold them accountable. We go through their grades at least once a week. We look at what’s been done and what needs to be completed. If there are any missing assignments, that’s what they’re going to work on.”}

_{Anthony Macagnone, a junior student-athlete, takes ASA with his English teacher, Sherry Fisher.}

_{“ASA is where I’ve gotten the most hands-on help,” he said. “It’s definitely impacted my grades in a positive way. ASA has pushed me to get my work in on time.}

_{“I think it’s a really good program and it should stick around.”}