Maya McFadden Photos
Bassett's Batman Bunch at graduation Tuesday.
A bat signal was sent from Lincoln-Bassett Community School — and summoned some sixth-grade superheroes to the stage.
The superheroes in question are members of the “Batman Bunch,” six of the of 27 sixth-graders who graduated from the Newhallville school Tuesday. The bunch bonded with the help of a mentor and upped their work en route to graduation, some of them capturing awards in the process.
The 27 graduates will each move on to new school’s next year for 7th grade, some of which include Elm City College Preparatory Elementary School, St. Lawrence School, and Engineering and Science University Magnet School (ESUMS).
The Bassett graduation was one of nearly 30 New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) elementary and middle school graduations that took place citywide. Many of those schools run through eighth grade. Lincoln-Basett runs through sixth.
The Batman Bunch, an informal mentoring network, was led by the school’s parent involvement coordinator, Keith Young. Young started the group seven months ago this school year after seeing a need mentorship for the school’s young men.
Young, who has coached basketball in the past, has a personal love for Batman. He said the group’s mission is to build character, introduce structure, and encourage self-confidence and strength.
Young mentored the boys by encouraging them to complete their daily reading log, math scores, and keep their grades up. If the students showed signs of declining academically, emotionally, or mentally Young had them do push ups to rebuild their strength back up and try again.
The Batman Bunch mentored younger students at the school.
Young: "Batman Bunch for life."
“It’s all about curbing those behaviors and keeping them unified,” Young said. “I’m strict and consistent because I care.”
When one of the students tired of push-ups or their school work, their peers stepped in to remind them not to “quit on your future.” Young also taught the group to say “I love you” to their friends more regularly. “They were always scared of saying those words,” Young noted.
The bunch remains connected through a routine that starts with a “man’s handshake,” then a “bat signal,” a unified hand grip, and a final pat on the other person’s chest.
Isaiah Nixon with mom.
Young got the idea to start the group after seeing 12-yea- old Isaiah Nixon walk the hallways of Bassett very slowly and with his head hung low everyday. That prompted Young to give Isaiah the nickname “sloth.”
Being mentored by Young, Isaiah said, he became motivated and gained more confidence. He also gained “more strength in my arms.” By the end of the school year Isaiah’s nickname was changed to “cheetah.”
At Tuesday’s ceremony Isaiah received the “great attendance award.”
Mary Gotay.
Mary Gotay, mother of 11-year-old Jacob Vazquez, said the Batman Bunch helped improve son’s self-esteem immensely.
Jacob went from doing push-ups on the wall to now being able to do clapping push-ups.
Gotay is a single parent of two boys, the first whom she had at 15 years old. She said Young’s mentorship has been life-changing for Jacob in school and at home. It has also provided her with support when needed, through daily connections on a parent group chat.
She said her son would often get bullied and now has grown his confidence to believe in himself.
Jacob has learned to take accountability for his actions, be confident, and put school first, Gotay said. She no longer has to remind him daily to take showers, do his homework, get to bed on time, or help out at home, because Young helped to teach the bunch around the importance of keeping to a routine.
Jacob receives principal's award.
“The Batman Bunch saved us, because I know from my own experiences growing up this is the time when kids get bored and need help with finding actives and programs,” Gotay said. “It’s all about breaking cycles.”
At Tuesday’s ceremony Jacob received the “principal’s award” for being kind, helpful, and honest. “His manners are impeccable. Each morning he greets the staff with ‘Good morning’ and a smile. He never forgets the ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ ” Principal Rosalind Garcia said.
Next year Jacob will attend Mauro-Sheridan Interdistrict Magnet School.
LaToya Wilkins, Gabrielle Butterfield, and Shanica Wilkins.
Graduate Gabrielle Butterfield plans to attend Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School next year. At the Tuesday celebration she received the school’s math, Title I, and academic achievement awards.
As Gabrielle crossed the stage to receive her awards and promotion certificate, she wore a T‑shirt with a picture of her as a newborn with her father Derek, who died soon after when Gabrielle was only three months old. The back of her shirt read, “Gabby 2022 Derek.”
With passions for math, art, reading, and music, Gabrielle said she plans to one day run a clothing business.
She celebrated her promotion Tuesday with her mom, aunt, grandmother, and classmates whom she said she missed a lot during pandemic school closings. “It was hard learning at home, because I just wanted to be around others, it helps me to learn better that way,” she said.
Gabrielle’s mom Shanica Wilkins and aunt LaToya Wilkins said they are extra proud of Gabrielle because of her hard work to succeed academically despite the loss of her father and of Uncle Antione on March 31, 2020. The Wilkins sisters took time off of work to join the Tuesday celebration.
Stephanie Skiba and Michelle Bogart.
At commencement, the Bassett community bid farewell to Climate & Culture Leader Michelle Bogart, who is retiring; andto Assistant Principal Stephanie Skiba, who will move on to be principal of Barnard school next year.
“What a Wonderful World,” the grduates sang. Watch it below.
Congratulations to the graduates and best wishes on your continued successes!
Thank you to Keith Young for seeing a need and stepping up to mentor young men who were struggling. We need more people like you to step up and step in to helping young people to succeed in school and in life.