VIDEO: Catholic Schools in Brooklyn, Queens Expand Reading Support for Students
CYPRESS HILLS — A literacy program helping students strengthen their reading and writing skills is making a difference at Catholic academies across Brooklyn and Queens, giving young learners the support they need to succeed in the classroom.
Response to Intervention in Academies, known as RTI in Academies, was launched by Deanna Losinno, a former Catholic academy student and parent who spent a decade working in public education before recognizing an opportunity to bring additional academic support to schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
“I felt like that was a big missing piece,” said Losinno, the program’s director. “In order to really service those students and help keep them grounded in their Catholic schools.”
Now in her second year working in Catholic schools, Losinno provides targeted instruction to students at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy in Cypress Hills and several other schools throughout Brooklyn and Queens.
For fourth grader Sophia Almonte, the small-group lessons have become something to look forward to each week.
“I really like my little small group, and she helps me a lot with writing, reading,” Sophia said. “She’s like my favorite teacher.”
At Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy, Principal Andy Estevez has seen increased motivation among students as they develop their literacy skills.
“A lot of our students are English language learners. They have IEPs. They may not have that foundation coming into the school, but you really see the eager look on their faces when Deanna’s addressing all modes of learning,” Estevez said.
The program offers students individualized attention to help them address learning challenges and build a stronger foundation in reading and writing.
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For fourth grader Carlos De Los Santos, who speaks both Spanish and English at home, lessons on vowel sounds and pronunciation have helped him recognize differences between the two languages.
“I isn’t E in Spanish. It sounds like E, but in English it’s different,” he said.
The program’s impact is already showing in academic results. Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy has seen a 10% increase in scores since Losinno began working with students, according to the school.
For Losinno, the work goes beyond improving test scores. She sees it as a way to ensure students receive the support they need to thrive in Catholic education.
“I feel like this is where I’m meant to be. This is what I was called to do, in service,” she said.
Through RTI in Academies, Losinno hopes to help more students gain confidence in their reading and writing abilities while remaining engaged in their Catholic school communities.