Picture yourself from elementary school: you were a lot shorter, you had baby teeth, and you got excited every time you saw a lollipop. That same kid that got excited over a lollipop was also excited for the day they will step foot into the “big scary high school.” The children in East Lyme have always looked up to the older students as they are some of their biggest role models.
East Lyme High School senior Ryan Novick created Friends of Flanders, a club that serves as an opportunity to help teachers care and educate their students at Flanders Elementary School. The club allows ELHS students to go to Flanders Elementary after school to tutor a student, assist in classroom management, and help with children’s behaviors. There are many different activities for students to do with the kids.
“Everyone knows that little kids love working with highschool students,” English teacher and club advisor Emily Archer said.
Novick made the club because of his mother, a kindergarten teacher at Flanders Elementary.
“I went to work with her after school and she said that a lot of other teachers could use this, so then I set up the club. After that, we’ve had students coming all of the time to help out,” Novick said. Students can help out after school any day when they have the time.
“I just wanted as many teachers as possible to have the help they need,” Novick said when speaking about his goals for the club. The club will continue to thrive with the help it gives to the teachers at Flanders.
“A lot of the kids love it. I feel like the best part of it for me is seeing all of the kids smiling,” Novick said. Friends of Flanders is a great club for those that enjoy spending time with kids. After all of Novick’s hard work with Friends of Flanders, the little kids at school can hang out and learn from their role models, allowing them to be happier than ever.
“I’m so proud of Ryan. He didn’t just make the club. He is actually organizing it and turning it into something amazing. He really has been working hard for the club,” Ms. Archer said.
