New Senior Program Begins at PCS
Controversial Buddy System the first of its kind in NY
Portville Central School has initiated a new program for seniors called the Buddy System, which
randomly selects students to pair up with one another for one week at a time. The idea is to mandate time when
the two-somes can help each other with homework during and after school hours, get to know each other on a deeper level, and
prepare for life after graduation.
The new and controversial initiative began one month ago, spearheaded by the PCS Guidance and Social Studies Departments
in a joint effort that has been two years in the making. Approved by the school board and the State Regents
last year, the senior program was then presented to the teachers, who overwhelmingly voted in favor of offering the Buddy
System to all seniors.
Acoording to the program chairperson, Arlene Chamberlain, "the idea is to pair up seniors with another senior
of either sex... it's all random pairing... and let them interact in controlled, academic and social settings. We believe
it provides a framework for the development of student wholeness, increases understanding of others, promotes empathy, builds
social bonding, and gets students to FINISH THEIR HOMEWORK ON TIME...the last point being the most important goal
of all."
Gerard Christopher, Portville's high school principal, states that the PCS administration was initially
against the program, "but dedicated members of the board and teaching staff convinced us, after months of preparation,
that a program pairing teenagers of the opposite sex would indeed be controversial, but it could put Portville on the map,
and it could get students to FINISH THEIR HOMEWORK ON TIME."
Almost all of the seniors interviewed for this story like the new program, despite the work involved.
Mike Sherwin, a star on the PCS basketball and track squads who also happens to be in the accelerated academic program at
Portville, is elated about the Buddy System.
"It's really neat. Only about half the seniors volunteered for the program, mostly girls, and we've
been paired with four different people so far. I lucked out and got four nice girls," laughs Mike. "It's
been very cool studying and talking with them. I hope more chicks sign up in April when they open the program up
again."
One of those girls that Mike was paired up with was Melody Pollock. "We did alot of homework together
that week. And we talked alot. I enjoyed Mike's company and encouragement. It's no surprise that he was
voted senior with the best personality. Overall, the past few weeks have been a great experience," notes Melody.
"My last week with Lena Lowen, the Swedish AFS student, was interesting. I'm looking forward to spending special time
with more classmates. It's preparing me for college."
At least one student has had a bad experience with the new program though. John Sprague, NHS
member and future engineering major, was not afraid to voice his opinion during a mass interview at the senior table
in the cafeteria.
"Judas Priest! I signed up because Mr. O'Brien told us we HAD TO in order to graduate.
I've had to spend ten hours a week with people I don't know, don't want to know, have nothing in common with, and besides,
we were all taking different classes. Here I'm studying for an advanced calculus exam on quasi-diffential equations
in four dimensions, while my buddy's trying all week to write a one-page essay on what he did over Christmas for Sully's Class.
Judas! I don't have time for this sociological experimental baloney. I'll bet the guidance department is conducting
studies for the government...sexual studies, believe me. And getting paid! I want out."
70 seniors are currently in the program, which will run right up to graduation day. Participants are
not told who their partner will be for that particular week until Monday morning. As a result, absenteeism after
the weekend among these students has dropped significantly, notes Jean Shepard, PCS nurse. "Pupils are excited about
meeting the mystery person on Monday," she says. "My senior Becky and her friends talk about it all weekend...
dreaming, guessing, and wishing."
A few parents in town are worried about the potential problems and risks of the program. Betty Rutterman,
whose son Dave is a senior participant, believes that "school is enough stress on these kids. "Dave never told me about
it when he joined. Why pair adolescent boys with adolescent girls in this manner? We all know what's gonna happen.
Is this where our taxes are going?"
Mrs. Chamberlain states that the community and many parents have been involved in every aspect of the process
the whole way. "It's always good to have dissenting opinions in the discussion, so we understand why some parents would
object to the Buddy System. In the end, I think that everyone in town will see that the positives will outweigh any
negatives, especially if we can get these students to finish their homework on time."
Senior Sue Wormer, who admits that she normally does not volunteer for such school activities, was intrigued
by the "wildness" of it all. "Forty girls. Thirty guys. Twenty-four weeks. Ten hours per week.
Some craziness is bound to happen," calculates Miss Wormer, who is an honors student as well, hoping to go to law school one
day.
A handful of notable seniors declined to participate for one reason or another, but many of them are hearing
the positive stories of fellow students and plan to join up at the half-way point of the program.
"It looked like a really stupid thing to me at the time," confesses 17-year old Joe Caya, "so I didn't sign
up before mid-terms when you were supposed to. Yer darn right I'm signing up in April," confirms the athlete and Alfred-bound
woodsman.
The program has already attracted attention from the press and educational agencies across the state.
"We've had invitations for interviews from educators and politicians from all over the region and state,"
adds Mr. Christopher and Mrs. Chamberlain. "The New York Times, the Department of Education, the NEA, the Times Herald.
They all want to talk to us - the teachers, the parents AND the students. It's an exciting time," says the
administrator.
Long-time Portville resident, Jeremiah Dodge, who has put 12 children through the Portville school
system and who is a town board officer, offers his outlook on the new Buddy System, when he states that "everybody in town
knows that I speak my mind. I graduated from PCS in 1943 and went right into the war, then came back to town.
And I'm sick of these young, liberal educators coming in here with new-fangled teaching methods that only encourage the nasty.
I aim to stop this experiment, even though I'm in the minority around here."
"There's too much momentum to stop the train this semester," thinks shot and disc man Joe Snyder.
"A few parents and board members won't overrule the State Regents and the larger number of seniors participating in May and
June," predicts Snyder. "We'll form an underground system if we have to."
Either way, Joe plans on selling his week to the highest bidder "if I happen to be paired with some popular
person, and the demand is there. For instance, I know some folks who'll pay top dollar for ten sanctioned hours
with an Amy Hildebrand or a Frank Chesner," he adds. "Spraguey should stop complaining and start making some money.
This program is really an updated version of those old slave auctions PCS used to do in the late 60s and
early 70s."
Meanwhile, Portville seniors like Mr. Sherwin hope that their string of luck continues. "I've been
wanting to go out with some of these chicks for a long time. It's a chance for deep conversation. And...in a few
months, I'll be out of this town for good. So I'm jumping on this opportunity... as long as it doesn't affect my pursuit
of the high jump record."
