In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, P256Q, a school serving K-12 students with special needs in Far Rockaway, Queens—suffered huge setbacks. Students and staff were relocated for weeks following immense damage to school property, and many in the community lost homes and spent days without power or heat. Following this devastation, P256Q’s Mouse Squad and their Mouse Squad Coordinator, Mary Bozzone, decided to take action.

With teachers and students displaced and school schedules rearranged, the Gateway High School—P256Q’s Mouse Squad—stepped in to support their younger peers. Gateway senior Matthew began teaching Virtual Mouse Squad as “Mr. Tech,” meeting with younger students at another campus via FaceTime once a week to teach them the Mouse Squad basics. 

Their lessons included learning about hardware essentials: how to identify the components of a desktop computer tower and understanding what each piece does, how to change printer ink cartridges, and how to use classroom peripherals like SMART Boards and tablets.

“Matthew is a special needs student himself, and this program is helping him get ready for college,” said Mary. “The students look forward to seeing Mr. Tech every Friday—they love to learn about fixing computers and printers.”

Gateway Squad members also produced a detailed, thorough multimedia ebook called "Sandy and Me." Their goal was to share what life after Sandy in one of New York’s hardest-hit neighborhoods was like for young people, and particularly for young people with disabilities.

Students from the Gateway Squad interviewed youth in P256Q’s other Mouse Squads and around the community, creating narratives with text, videos, and photos. The project, now in its final stages of completion, presents a unique and empathetic view of post-Sandy life in the Rockaways.

Gateway Squad students presented their Virtual Mouse Squad and Sandy and Me projects at Emoti-Con! 2013.  Andera (pictured right) presented "Sandy and Me" and was also featured in the iBook as she was caught outside during the storm.

The Gateway Squad wowed audience members and inspired everyone present to reflect on the many ways dedicated youth can support a community through disaster. Congratulations on the fantastic work of P256Q!

Learn more about the amazing P256Q Mouse Squad in this video: Special and Needed:  Mary's Mouse Squad