Kids
to get extra boost of support at Jonata School
Nicastro facilitates a new after school
program this fall made possible by People Helping People and the Buellton
School District.
The
program will focus on helping junior high students with homework, computer
skills, good study habits, and “anything they may be struggling with,” said
Mary Conway, coordinator for Santa Ynez Coalition to Promote Drug-Free Youth.
Sport programs will round out the afternoon.
“This
is an exciting collaboration. We aim to work with young people to avoid some of
the pitfalls that come from not being successful; those students that need extra
support in academics or socially,” said Conway.
The
program centers on leadership and different aspects of self-empowerment. The
program will also include sports and recreation, such as football and
basketball, kickball, physical fitness and fun, and community projects. The
first community project will be promoting the Red Ribbon Campaign in October,
said Conway.
The
after-school program begins Sept. 22, and is offered for free. Students’
teachers and People Helping People will mentor approximately 15-18 students
selected to participate. An accredited teacher will tutor the students four
hours a week.
“I
get in the trenches. One of the ways of being a good mentor is to get right in
there and do it with them,” said Nicastro.
Nicastro will run the program with assistance
from students in the high school’s Work Enforcement Act Service. Nicastro has worked with People Helping People at Olga Reed
Elementary School in Los Alamos in the early childhood education Pals Program
and as the recreation coordinator, and was most recently the special education
assistant at Rigetti High in Santa Maria. Nicastro lives in Vandenberg Village with his wife of more
than 20 years, Suzanne, principal at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. They
have three sons: Brandon, 16; Anthony, 18; and Christopher 26. They also have
an 11-month-old grandson, Dylan.
Adult
volunteers are welcome and needed. “The more adult volunteers we have, the more
latitude and freedom we can give the kids to do more things,” said Nicastro. “We can’t just let them out by themselves.”
To volunteer, or to obtain more detailed information,
contact Mary Conway at (805) 686-0295.