BVEF Spotlight Series: BHS PAL program advisor Rick Manderine

BVEF grants chair Ellie Bricmont with Richard Manderine, PAL advisor at BHS. Photo by Bev Walborn. 

In November 2012, the Bay Village Education Foundation awarded grants to several innovative educators in the district. Bay High special education teacher Richard Manderine received $400 in support of the PAL (Pupil Assistance in Learning) Program that he’s advised at BHS for the past four years.

The groundbreaking PAL program pairs students with special needs with peer mentors for social outings and interaction, benefiting everyone involved. During the 2012-2013 school year, 36 student mentors (upperclassmen who must apply for this position and be accepted) were paired with 12 multi-disabled students. Each mentor spent four hours a month with their PAL, giving the mutli-disabled child 12 hours of monthly activities with peers, excluding their large group activities and daily interactions at BHS. A group of 22 student “floaters” (freshmen and sophomore students who will eventually be mentors) has also been developed, who can provide assistance where needed in the program.

Large group outings have included a Homecoming tailgate party, Bowling Extravaganza, Crushers baseball game, and a gameday at Dave & Buster’s. Neighboring districts have also teamed up with Bay’s PAL program to host a St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Dance (Westlake), a Fall Harvest Dance and Festival (Fairview Park) and a Valentines Holiday Dance (Rocky River). Group outings such as these create lasting memories for all students involved and establish invaluable relationships between students and their mentors. Peer mentors learn tolerance, empathy, and gain perspective on how challenging life can be with a disability.

The PAL program is an inspiration to surrounding school districts as well as a resounding success in Bay Village. BVEF is honored to support such a program within the Bay Village City School District.