Programs

ELEMENTARY METCO PROGRAMS

FAMILY FRIENDS

The METCO Family Friends Program is another supportive aspect of the METCO partnership wherein Lexington families volunteer to become "partners" with Boston families. When a child enters one of our schools via the METCO Program, she/he is paired with a volunteer Lexington family (preferably a family with a child in the same classroom or grade level as the Boston child). The Family Friends Program provides opportunities for Lexington and Boston children and their parents to broaden relationships through the sharing of family, cultural and social experiences in their respective communities. At the elementary level, Family Friend students participate in METCO Friends Visiting Days which are scheduled in advance on specified Thursday afternoons. Overnight visitations may occur (individually arranged, if desired) both in Lexington and in Boston. Open and regular communication between families in Lexington and Boston is encouraged throughout the year to help nurture the mutual development of relationships.

LUNCH BUNCH GROUPS

The primary purpose of METCO Lunch Bunch groups has been, and continues to be, to provide time and a safe space for children of like affinities from different classrooms to come together in an environment where they make up the majority. This lunch group is particularly helpful to students who are in classes where they are one of only a few students of color.

Having our special lunch is not an act of intentional exclusion. Instead, the groups provide a positive environment for students to explore their affinity experience and discuss topics pertinent to them. Students may work on activities or engage in discussions that reinforce positive self-image, reaffirm identity, or address issues of diversity at school. We might also explore feelings, peer relationship issues, or problem solving. Generally, our agenda is driven by the needs of the group of students. At times, our groups are more informal and fun.

Our overall goal in our work with our students is to ensure that all Boston-resident students are being encouraged, motivated, and supported in their academics and social-emotional development.

EFFICACY

The goal of this program is to promote the understanding that intelligence is developmental and “Smart is not something you are. Smart is something you get.” We seek to instill in our students feelings of competence, purpose and identity so they will recognize their capabilities and strive to reach their full potential. We also want them to see themselves as learners, and enable them to turn data into feedback to develop strategies to overcome academic and emotional challenges.

PRETTY BROWN GIRLS

The group will be co-lead by Ms. Crowder, and Mrs. Philippe, (METCO Social Workers). The group is open to 4th and 5th grade METCO and Lexington resident female students of color as space permits.

The Pretty Brown Girl program was developed in 2010 and its mission is to encourage girls of color to celebrate the shades of brown all over the world; while inspiring positive self-esteem and confidence. This Curriculum is used across the country and is one of the fastest growing girls ’organizations in the country, focusing on the well-being of girls of color. In addition, I selected to purchase this curriculum because it supports Common-Core Standards in reading, writing, speaking, listening and vocabulary acquisition and use.

The group will meet on specific Thursday afternoons (see below ) from 12:30pm to 3:00pm at Central Office, 146 Maple Street in Lexington, where we have classroom space.

Pretty Brown Girl Meeting Schedule

10/ 4,11

11/8, 29

12/6, 13

1/3, 24, 31

2/4, 28

3/7

4/11, 25

5/2, 23, 30

6/6

6/8 Closing Ceremony in Boston.

Students will be transported to Central Office via the METCO buses when school is dismissed. METCO students will be dismissed from the program at 3:00pm and transported to Boston via the METCO bus. Resident students will have to be picked up by their parents or designee at 3:00pm.

Whitson’s will provide lunch or you may send a lunch with your daughter to eat at the Pretty Brown Girl Program. If you would like to learn more about the history and how the program is changing the lives of thousands of girls across the country, please go to the following link: www.prettybrowngirl.com.


MELP (METCO ELEMENTARY LEARNING PROGRAM)

MELP is designed to enhance the education of our Boston students and to further meet their individual learning needs. The goal is to provide targeted specific instruction in the areas of mathematics and language arts. Students from all six elementary schools have historically come together on 21 Thursday afternoons throughout the school year to work on mathematics and language arts skills. The program is taught by Mathematics Specialists, currently working in the elementary schools, as well as various reading teachers and specialists. Selected students work in small groups (six studentsto one teacher and one assistant) for approximately two hours per session.

New this year, the MELP program will transition to a 3 week summer program. Which will allow for a more consistent presentation of support and time on task. Transitioning to the summer also allows an opportunity for students to remain engaged with reading and mathematics during the summer thereby addressing concerns of potential summer learning loss.

Middle School Programs

ACADEMIC COACHING PROGRAM - ACP (Extended Day)

Academic Coaching provides middle school METCO students the opportunity to remain after school for one hour to work on homework with supervision and teacher support.

ACP meets after school Tuesday - Thursday 3:00-4:00PM throughout the academic year, supervised by METCO ACP staff. The ACP Extended Day is an opportunity for METCO students to seek out extra help from teachers, work on homework assignment,s and projects with support if needed. Students are required to set a goal/s for each homework session. The importance of good study skills, time management, and discussions around college and career planning are also included as part of the ACP Extended Day activities .

METCO LHS ACADEMIC SUPPORT

AFRICAN AMERICAN & LATINO SCHOLARS

The AAL Scholars Program is a recognition program that identifies African American and Latino students at LHS who are exceptional in their achievement and their potential for leadership. It encourages students to stretch and reach for even higher goals and set even higher standards for themselves. Finally, it rewards them through access to supports, information, resources and, most of all, personal relationships that will help them be successful now and in the future. It does this through field trips, seminars, weekly meetings, academic competitions, and mentoring relationships with strong, successful adults and with other students. The LHS AAL Scholars Program honors academic commitment and fosters a culture of high scholastic achievement by students of color at Lexington High School.

THE CALCULUS PROJECT

Unlike any initiative in public education to close the achievement gap in mathematics, the Calculus Project is designed to increase the number of students of color who enroll in AP Calculus. The importance of enrolling in high level math classes cannot be underestimated. Not only does the rigor of an honors or AP math class prepare students to excel on standardized tests (e.g. MCAS and SAT); but more importantly, those students who are capable of advanced mathematical thinking have more post-secondary educational opportunities available. Students who engage in the Calculus Project participate in a variety of opportunities to strengthen their math skills. They attend challenging yet fun enrichment courses in the summer where highly

qualified instructors pre-teach core mathematical concepts prior to enrollment in high level math classes during the school year. Students become members of a entering “affinity cohort” in order to provide support to each other. Students are taught that success in mathematics stems from hard work and not an innate ability established at birth, as well as learn how to work collaboratively in groups in- and outside of the classroom. They discover how mathematics is applied in the real world through classroom activities and field trips (this experience is enhanced when they have an opportunity to meet African American and Latinos who work in STEM professions during a speaker series that takes place during the summer). All of these supports as well as the challenges of rigorous mathematics curricula lead Calculus Project students to achieve at the highest levels in high school and beyond.

CALCULUS PROJECT will meet in the Photonics Building located on BU's campus at 8 St. Mary's Street.