Many Feehan students know about the ARC— the Academic Resource Center— in the library; it is where any student can go for tutoring help, or to say hello to our wonderful Mrs. Esposito-Smith! However, many students may not know about a more recent development within the tutoring center: SpARC, or the Spanish Academic Resource Center. SpARC is a tutoring center that specializes in helping students exclusively with Spanish. SpARC was started by senior student Sarah Barretto in December of 2024. Sarah describes being motivated to start SpARC because of her interest in Spanish and her desire to use her skills to help others. She says, “I wanted to do something that could help make Spanish easier for other students…I remember that I used to struggle when first learning.” Sarah worked alongside AP Spanish teacher Mrs. Harris to make SpARC possible. Sarah attributes much of the development of SpARC to Mrs. Harris: “She has been my biggest advocate, and helped me so much.”
SpARC’s peer tutors consist of Honors and AP Spanish students, which Sarah believes contributes to the success of SpARC. “I think the kids appreciate…get[ting] a new perspective from fellow students,” she remarks. Sarah also shares her perspective on the impact that SpARC has on the Feehan community, saying that she was surprised at how her knowledge could help others, and that she has “learned about the importance of using our own skills to benefit others.”
SpARC tutoring services are offered throughout the week and are available certain days before and after school in Learning Commons 1. There is a sign-up sheet on the SpARC classroom, (join code xdhl3ry), that informs students when SpARC is open. Sarah and those involved in SpARC encourage students to both stop by for tutoring, and to consider volunteering in the future!
