‘From the classroom to the community’: How a comic book store recently engaged S.I. students | In Class column

IN CLASS: This feature is part of an ongoing education column highlighting the various activities that engage school communities.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — As Staten Island schools work under a new literacy curriculum, a local store recently donated comic books to those in middle school.

Students at Paulo Intermediate School (I.S. 75) took a trip on a Saturday earlier this month to visit Newbury Comics, which is located at the Staten Island Mall in New Springville.

It was an idea developed by teacher Ryan Murphy, who explained that students had just finished reading a graphic novel in English language arts class — “Monster,” by Walter Dean Myers — using the new Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) curriculum.

Murphy said that students “really took to this genre” and that’s when he decided to reach out to Newbury Comics. He got in touch with the store manager, Anthony Lewis, who was supportive of the collaboration.

“It was a wonderful way to bridge our learning in the classroom to the real world, and also, it was a beautiful way of the community giving back to our youth,” said Murphy.

Lewis provided free, brand-new, and sealed comic books to the seventh-grade students, Murphy said. Comics included “Batman,” “Superman” and “The Punisher.” Lewis stated that Newbury Comics “always promotes literacy and supporting children is our mission.”

“We are so fortunate Newbury Comics supported us in bridging literacy from the classroom to the community,” said Murphy.

Students were also able to mingle with each other, browse graphic novels and buy music albums and Funko Pop products.

“I liked how polite everyone there was, and there was a great selection of comic books for me to choose from,” said Bryan Harrison, a seventh-grader.

PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

Staten Island Academy recentlyannounced two students as the 2024-2025 winners of the Michael Gordon Foundation Inc. Scholarship Award.

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the school, located on Todt Hill, acknowledged the two deserving students — Jenna Ruiz, Class of 2025, and Daniel Nowak, Class of 2026.

The award is presented to upper school students who are academically gifted, exemplary leaders and demonstrate strong citizenship in the community.

“One of the most active student leaders in our senior class, Jenna brings an infectious enthusiasm to school each day,” said Michael Mazella, Jenna’s senior adviser. “Her smile and friendly nature are as valued in this community as her outstanding grades and leadership roles. Responsible, thoughtful and selfless, Jenna is easily recognized as one of those students who makes our community better. She totally immerses herself in clubs, sports and activities, and she never fails to impress her peers and teachers alike.”

Mazella has also coached Daniel on the varsity basketball team, calling him the “consummate student-athlete.”

“He is one of the most humble, unassuming superstars both in the classroom and on the court, and he certainly upholds all the values we promote as a school,” said Mazella. “He leads by both word and example, and he possesses the highest standards of class and character. All the members of our community hold him in the highest regard and can easily point to Danny as one of the best and brightest student-athletes at Staten Island Academy.”

The late Michael Gordon was born in Budapest, Hungary, and studied the art of handbag making in France. He moved to the United States and eventually became world-famous for his designer handbags.

In 1991, he established the Michael Gordon Foundation Inc., to help young people in the areas of education, health and welfare. While Gordon died in 1998, his work lives on through his foundation.

Schools can apply to the foundation for grants, with the funds awarded to students as scholarships.

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