Milly's Monday METCO Message

June 8, 2020
Superintendents pledge action against racism
Above: Top row: METCO President & CEO Milly Arbaje-Thomas addresses the media. Second row, L to R: Superintendents Dr. Dan Gutekanst (Needham) and Jon Sills (Bedford). Bottom row, L to R: Board Vice Chair Mabel Reid-Wallace, Lexington METCO Director and MDA President B arbara Hamllton, the Garver family of Belmont
On Friday afternoon, leaders from METCO's partner districts in the Boston suburbs assembled in a playground in Hyde Park to offer statements of solidarity for the black community, and commitments to dismantle racism in their schools. The 20-minute presentation included remarks from METCO CEO Milly Arbaje-Thomas, Needham Superintendent Dan Gutekanst, and Bedford Superintendent Jon Sills, and Lexington METCO Director and president of the METCO Directors Association Barbara Hamilton. METCO Board Vice Chair Mabel Reid-Wallace presented her poem "Emmet, Till." The event closed with the music of Andra Day and a prayer from Barbara Hamilton. You can watch the event below, and see media coverage from Boston25, CBS Local ( preview and full story), WCVB, WBUR, and the Boston Globe. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend, and to everyone who supported the event online. We have a lot of work to do, but we are inspired in knowing that districts are committing to doing more to dismantle the racism that exists within all structures, including educational institutions. As Milly said at the closing of the event, "We can do better. We must do better. We will do better."
Below: METCO Directors, Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, and School Committee members attending the event with their masks, stepping close together for photographs.
METCO University online workshops launch
We're excited to kick off our series of virtual workshops for parents, students, and educators this week. Space is still available for most of the sessions, so please invite any students or parents you think would value the opportunities.
The New Norm: COVID & A Place for Me
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 4:30-6pm
Led by D. Farai Williams
Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, METCO, Inc.
  • For families and educators
  • Understand what happens in the body during a fight/flight/freeze response
  • Learn the "Intra SEL" approach to build more resilience
  • Learn new strategies for managing anxiety and stress
The Power of Parenting
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, JUNE 10, 4:30-6-7pm
Led by Pam Bailey, Families First
  • Knowledge about parenting and child development
  • Actionable skills and strategies
  • Support systems with other parents and community resources
College Planning 101
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 5:30-7pm
  • Explore higher education options
  • Learn about traditional and alternative pathways
  • Choose the path that is right for you!

College Financing 101
FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 5:30-7pm
Led by Yanitza Medina
  • Learn how to apply for financial aid
  • Identify federal and state aid
  • Find relevant scholarships
Helping Your Child Catch Up
TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 4:30-5:30pm
Led by Neil Khaund & Holly Webster, Livius
  • Understand how the end of this school year is different than years past
  • Learn how to identify the academic needs of your child through online assessment tools
  • Explore Livius' Two-Sigma academic tutoring program to ensure your child is prepared for school in the fall
Deadline extended for grads to join METCO Celebration!
Because high volume led to some technological upgrades that prevented some students from accessing the website, the vendor has extended the deadline for seniors to sign up and upload their personalized content. So there is one more week for all METCO graduates from the class of 2020 to sign up here and get their login. Please help spread the word with your METCO graduates and their families. All 264 names will be read, and we want as many as possible to have contributed their photo, video, and quotation to express themselves. This is shaping up to be a special event to complement the creative ceremonies you've been doing in the districts. It will be a memory they can keep forever!