NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY OFFICE OF ASSEMBLYMEMBER ARAVELLA SIMOTAS For Immediate Release July 26, 2012 Contact:

Samantha Darche, 718-545-3889

Simotas Visits Practice Makes Perfect at Long Island City High School
ASTORIA, N.Y. Assemblymember Aravella Simotas visited the Practice Makes Perfect program at Long Island City High School this Thursday. The seven-week academic intensive summer program aims to narrow the achievement gap within underprivileged communities. The achievement gap is a critical issue that needs to be addressed in our community, said Simotas. It is so important to provide young people from underprivileged backgrounds with the tools they need to set and achieve their academic goals. The relationships built through Practice Makes Perfect help instill a lifelong love of learning and empower these students to reach their full potential. Practice Makes Perfect pairs under-achieving fourth graders with successful ninth grade students from their community. The high school students serve as role models to the fourth graders and provide one-on-one instruction to help them gain confidence before the school year begins. In turn, the ninth grade students receive preparation for college and learn from the college interns who supervise the program. In the programs pilot year in 2011, the rising fifth grade students showed significant improvements in their math and reading abilities. It was wonderful to speak to these students and see the positive impact of this innovative program on the young participants and their mentors, said Simotas. ###