By DAN TOMASELLO
BOSTON — Parents and school officials sung the METCO program’s praises during a recent School Committee meeting held in Boston.
With the exception of two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, the School Committee has held one meeting a year at METCO, Inc.’s headquarters in Roxbury. The Administrative Leadership Team and a large number of METCO students and families attended the meeting.
“We are thrilled to be at METCO Headquarters,” said School Committee Vice Chair Stacy Dahlstedt. “We were able to chat with some METCO families, and it was nice to make some connections. It’s great to be here with all of you.”
METCO Director Curtis Blyden said 45 METCO students from Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Roslindale, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain and the South End are attending Lynnfield Public Schools this academic year. He also noted a girl from East Boston enrolled at Lynnfield High School this academic year.
“I am really excited about where we are as a program compared to when I started six years ago,” said Blyden. “We have expanded our program to East Boston. We never had a student from East Boston before. It’s awesome.”
There are 17 METCO students attending LHS, 13 have enrolled at Lynnfield Middle School, 10 are attending Huckleberry Hill School and five have enrolled at Summer Street School.
“We had 32 students when I came here six years ago,” said Blyden. “We accepted 10 new students this year.”
Blyden said 83 percent of METCO students have a sibling enrolled in the district.
“I anticipate the 83 percent of sibling sets will be over 90 percent going forward,” said Blyden. “We have 45 students right now, and next year we will be at a high of 49. It will taper down to 45 or 46 students. For the next two to three years, those numbers will reflect new students but not new families. I am trying to turn us into a legacy program, which will provide long-term parent buy-in. The kids who will be coming will know what to expect because their older siblings and families have been in the district long-term.”
Blyden said seven METCO students have been named to the honor roll this year, which is higher than the two students who were named to the honor roll last year. He said four LHS students have enrolled in a SAT prep class this year.
“I felt this was really important to make the educational experience equitable so that our students can access the same colleges as Lynnfield students,” said Blyden. “We introduced the SAT prep course two years ago, and I have mandated that all of our juniors take an SAT prep course.”
Blyden said METCO students have enrolled in a variety of extracurricular activities. He said 64 percent of students are playing sports such as basketball, football, softball, tennis and volleyball. He also said 12 percent of elementary school students are enrolled in Lynnfield Community Schools’ Late Extended Day (LEDS) program. He also noted that 8 percent of students are volunteering with A Healthy Lynnfield, 8 percent are involved in performing arts programs and 8 percent of LHS students are participating in a work-study program with LEDS and the Technology Department.
“I want students to broaden their educational experience by doing things outside of the classroom that supplements what they are learning in the classroom,” said Blyden.
Blyden noted that more girls are participating in extracurricular activities.
“I want to make sure our girls feel part of the community,” said Blyden. “When I started a few years ago, the morale for our girls was pretty low. We wanted to improve that by giving them access to opportunities. I have been pushing our girls to get involved in more extracurricular activities. The number of girls participating in extracurricular activities has gone up, and this year we are at 100 percent. We have girls playing basketball and working with LEDS. There are two girls playing tennis this year who have never played before. They love it.”
Blyden said the late bus has led to more METCO students “developing friendships outside of the classroom.”
“It’s not uncommon for several of our kids to stay in Lynnfield over the weekend,” said Blyden.
Blyden said he is “incredibly proud” of METCO students.
“They are awesome,” said Blyden. “We brought in several students at the high school this year. There is always going to be an adjustment coming to a new school. I asked a lot of our new kids, and they exceeded everything I have asked of them. Last year our GPA was 2.9. This year, we are comfortably over 3.0. Our students came in, put their heads down, got to work and have excelled. I am proud of them.”
Blyden recalled that the girl from East Boston attending LHS drove with her father to the high school after she got out of her old high school last year.
“She wanted to be here,” said Blyden. “She was willing to put in the work. What is remarkable about her is she applied to be in the program on her own. That kind of character and that type of integrity is what makes our program great. She is unique in terms of what she did, but she is not unique in terms of having that level of tenacity and that level of grit. That is true for all of our students. I am so proud of them. We have something great going on here, and I am looking forward to keep it going.”
Program funding needed
METCO Chief Administrative/Finance Officer Kim Houston recalled that METCO officials joined hundreds of students, parents and school officials from around the state, including Superintendent Kristen Vogel, during Advocacy Day at the State House last month.
Houston said officials from around the state are looking for METCO’s line item to be increased in the fiscal year 2024 state budget. Gov. Maura Healey has recommended level-funding the program in her budget, and it does not renew a one-year $500,000 earmark needed to implement a new racial equity system.
“We are a line item and we must advocate every year to receive our funding,” said Houston. “We are asking for an increase of $32.2 million. We need that for our salaries, increased transportation costs and continuing to do racial equity work. We are actively trying to give our kids an equal education and a balanced one.”
School Committeeman Phil McQueen inquired why the METCO program is a line item in the state budget.
“That is something that should be part of the state budget,” said McQueen.
Vogel said she did not know the reason.
“It’s actually a grant,” said Vogel. “It’s not a standard amount in the state budget. That is why we have to advocate for money to support this grant. It’s crazy that it is still a grant after 57 years.”
Parents, SC praise program
A mother in attendance said her daughter enrolled at LHS for the first time this year.
“It was the best decision we have made,” said the mom. “That is thanks to you. She has a lot of respect for you because you push her. I really appreciate it.”
Another mom who attended Westwood Public Schools’ METCO program said Blyden has been a positive role model for her sons.
“It’s great for my boys to have another male presence in their lives,” she said. “I think having teachers and a support team that engages with kids makes a big difference.”
A mother said Blyden is very responsive with communication.
“Curtis is always there to support you,” said the mother. “He is a big help. I also like the way he pushes the kids.”
The mother also noted Blyden gave her daughter a sweatshirt because he was proud of how she was doing in school.
“She had a big smile on her face because she was so proud of herself,” said the mom. “It’s those little things that really make their day.”
Another woman in attendance said she felt “invisible” while attending Lincoln-Sudbury’s METCO program. She said her daughter doesn’t have that feeling in Lynnfield.
“Lynnfield is a smaller district,” said the mom. “I always get updates from you on how she is doing, even if it’s something small. You are great. I am so happy that I sent her to Lynnfield. She wakes up happy and comes home happy. She is involved with after-school activities. She talks about her teachers and everyone at school. I want to thank you. You are amazing.”
School Committee member Jamie Hayman said he was “very, very pleased” with the progress the METCO program has made under Blyden’s leadership.
“What makes a big difference is our students are seen and acknowledged,” said Blyden.
School Committee member Kate DePrizio said she frequently sees Blyden attending sporting events, plays and other activities.
“You are doing everything,” said DePrizio. “You help students feel included. We couldn’t do it without you.”
McQueen agreed.
“It’s really exciting to see how the program is growing, particularly how students are getting involved in more extracurricular activities,” said McQueen. “You have done an amazing job and the kids have done an amazing job.”
Dahlstedt said it’s “amazing” to see METCO students’ progression both academically as well as with extracurricular activities.
“I want to thank you for everything you do for METCO students, families and the district,” said Dahlstedt. “I also commend and applaud our METCO families for putting their children on the bus so early and entrusting our school district with their children. I am thrilled we have been able to expand the METCO program in Lynnfield.”
— The State House News Service contributed to this report.