Getting by with a little ‘HELP’ from friends at Old Mill Road

A new initiative in North Merrick Schools is uniting third graders with their sixth-grade peers to build bonds, foster a sense of community and pursue a growth mindset. 

Project HELP, currently being piloted at Old Mill Road School, is designed to train sixth grade students to be peer helpers who assist and support third grade students as they adjust to academic, social and emotional challenges. Sixteen students are helping to kick-off this program at Old Mill Road. 

On April 3, sixth graders visited third grade classrooms to provide academic support, guidance and friendship, which will regularly occur throughout the school year. Boosting their leadership skills, Project HELP mentors guided third graders through the power of having a growth mindset.

Students discussed challenges they’ve faced and shared how they overcame them, discovering that mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow. Through engaging and fun small group challenges, third graders practiced using a positive mindset to tackle obstacles and celebrate their progress, all while building confidence in their abilities.