Sixth-grader aids baby delivery

Eleven-year-old Schneider Metellus arrived at school a little late on Friday, December 1, but with a much better excuse than the average tardy pre-teen.
The sixth-grade student at the Jean Nuzzi Intermediate School 109 (I.S. 109) in Queens Village had his hands full delivering his new baby cousin, Isaac Metellus.
&#8220I first saw the baby was about to fall down,” Schneider said, explaining how he caught the newborn boy as his aunt gave birth in her bathroom, all the while being careful to protect the baby's head.
His aunt, Mireille Metellus, had gone to the hospital just hours earlier believing that she was in labor, but went home after being told by staff there that the baby would not be born for few more days, he explained.
Metellus, who has been taking pre-nursing courses at school, said that he did not hesitate for a moment to go to his aunt's aid. His mother, whom his anxious uncle had called for help, was nervous and the serious young man knew the situation called for calm. He had been told as much by his teacher, Samuel W. Green Jr., on numerous occasions. The message had stuck.
&#8220I saw that the blood [on the baby] was red, so I knew there was good blood flow,” Metellus said. &#8220And he was crying, so I knew his lungs were working fine.”
Metellus, wearing the yellow Oxford shirt that is part of his school uniform and a white lab coat, is one of about 300 sixth, seventh and eighth graders studying pre-nursing at I.S. 109, where the program is now in its fourth year.
Taught by Green, who is a registered nurse, and Dr. Theresa Rowe, the program is a modified version of the New York State high school Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) curriculum available at schools including Hillcrest High School in Jamaica where successful completion of the program leads to a state LPN license, Green said.
The high school curriculum has been modified for the younger students, in part because I.S. 109 does not have laboratory facilities, Green said. Nevertheless, because the students use a college-level textbook, they are required to have high reading and math skills before entering the program.
Green was not surprised to learn of his young charge's cool head under pressure. &#8220I knew they would apply this knowledge sometime in the future,” he said of his pre-nursing students. &#8220I just didn't think it would come so soon,” he mused.
Nonetheless, in Metellus' case, &#8220I was surprised but not shocked,” he continued. &#8220Schneider is a serious, self-directed and self-motivated student.”
In fact, Metellus, who described the baby's delivery as &#8220a little weird” said that he already knows he wants to become a doctor, although he has not chosen a specialty just yet.
Walking down the school's hallway the slight young man appeared self-conscious as he confessed that his classmates called him a hero. And what does he make of all the attention that has been lavished upon him?
&#8220I don't know,” he said in a quiet voice, shrugging his shoulders.