District 13 recreation staff love their gigs

District 13's summer recreation program ends this week. Each year, the elementary school district hires several local high school and college students to oversee children during the 4 1/2 week program.

This year, nearly 400 children are spending their mornings at Willow Road and Wheeler Avenue Schools. Children in grades 2-6 are supervised by a counselor, a junior counselor and a teenage volunteer. Certified teachers oversee the younger children, but are also assisted by counselors.

Many of District 13's counselors attended elementary school and participated in the summer recreation program as children.

Dan Barbuto
Age: 18
School: Hofstra University, sophomore; graduate of North High
Time with program: Sixth year, first as a head counselor.
Responsibilities: Working at Wheeler Avenue School supervising boys entering third and fourth grade. Makes sure the children stay safe and don’t fight. Introduces them to new stuff. “A lot of them are athletic,” he said, “but don’t necessarily know the rules of the game.
Likes about the job: “It’s great as a summer job,” he said. “The pay is good and it’s fun to come here every day and hang out.” Participated in the camp for four years when he at Willow Road.

Sam Catalano
Age: 15
School: North High, junior
Time with program: Fourth year; was a volunteer for three years and is working for the first time as a junior counselor.
Responsibilities: Working at Willow Road School and supervises kindergarten students. Works with a certified teacher to take the children to their daily activities and make sure they’re safe.
Likes about the job: “I went through this program as a kid,” Catalano said, “and I always wanted to give back to the program.”

Valerie D’Annunzio
Age: 21
School: Queens College, senior; graduate of Central High
Time with program: Eighth year; was a volunteer for one year, then a counselor intern, junior counselor and head counselor.