Alex Kadyszewski: Helping Kids Succeed Beyond Expectation
Alex Kadyszewski is a Site Coordinator with Communities in Schools Pennsylvania. Simply put, Alex was born, created, and educated to do the work he’s doing today. He case manages approximately 60 students at McKinley School in the York City School District–providing them with intensive one-on-one mentoring. Alex is tasked with going into the school and identifying the needs of at-risk students. Working together with principles and community partners, Alex helps build a school-based plan for success.
Alex recognizes that student success is about more than just test scores, it’s about helping children be “ready to learn”. He understands every child’s situation is unique and strives to help meet their individual needs.
Many people are often surprised by some of the reasons why students, especially middle school, aren’t coming to school. They don’t have clean clothes, and they don’t want to be teased. They don’t want to smell. Alex recognized that, stepped up and took action. He contacted a local hardware and appliance store and they donated a washer and a dryer to the school. The donation helped lift a heavy burden away from a student who has one or two outfits to wear, and when one gets dirty, and the other is not clean, they don’t come to school.
Alex also helps manage the Bear Cat Den–a place where kids find clothing and non-perishable food items. Alex interacts with students throughout the school year. Every Friday they come in for food, because they don’t have any for the weekend. They come in for diapers or toiletries, because they have a young child and they just don’t have the money buy those necessities.
By removing barriers as simple as that, Alex’s dedication has a positive impact on students in York City schools. Attendance is improving, parent engagement is increasing…and Alex is helping make a difference! WITF congratulates Alex Kadyszewski for his vital community service and commitment to education.
WITF’s American Graduate Day project is made possible by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and is supported regionally by Orrstown Bank, by the Harrisburg, Mont Alto and York Campuses of Penn State, and by York College of Pennsylvania.
