As the big kids of the school, fifth graders are taking on a leadership role at Wantagh Elementary School. During recess, volunteers from the Fifth Grade Helpers program visit other classrooms to assist teachers and younger students. 

More than 75 fifth graders are serving as helpers this year, and each gets a chance to participate once a month. They are assigned to kindergarten through third grade classes, as well as special areas classes like art, music and physical education.

“It’s a leadership opportunity in which they get to model to the younger kids how to be community helpers while supporting another class,” said Assistant Principal Rachel Iannuzzi, who oversees the long-standing program.

The fifth graders take on a variety of tasks such as helping younger students with classwork, cleaning up after a project of assisting teachers with organizing their rooms. 

“A lot of kids look up to you, so you have to do the right thing,” said Jake Mercus, who recently helped out in a physical education class by running an activity station.

“I like working with kids younger than me and helping out,” added Hannah Vezzuto as she and a friend sorted books by reading level in a first grade classroom.