Baratta’s P.A.S.S. Program Highlighted in Staten Island Advance

Joe Baratta, a special education teacher and junior varsity football coach at Curtis High School, believes strongly that student-athletes must keep their priorities in order and understand that commitments and responsibilities go beyond their accomplishments on the football field.

Last year, Baratta began a program for football players at Curtis called Forward P.A.S.S. (Preparing to Achieve and Sustain Success). The goals were to create successful high-school students who would be leaders in the school, contributing members to the community, and responsible people who would be prepared for life after high school and productive members of society.

“We wanted to do something for football players and provide something in the off-season, and I did research with what goes on at the college level and their year-round involvement in things,” said Baratta. “I met John Harris, founder of the Athlife Foundation, which was trying to recapture some of the Play It Smart Foundation programs. Play It Smart had paid for an academic coach (to accomplish off-field goals), but the funding dried up. (Harris figured) if he could provide resources and development, schools might get involved. I connected with him.”