Milly's Monday METCO Message

June 1, 2020

They're scared of the color of our skin

The beauty deep within our melanin

It ain't our weapon, it's our pride

Enjoy our roots and our heritage

It's part of what makes us young kings and queens

Today, we are listening to the young people, our black and brown students. Students like Andrew, the poet in this video, who goes to Newton North High School through METCO. The language is explicit, but we share it anyway, because it is also true and profound. We can only support these children by listening to them; we can only heal by listening to each other and ourselves; we can only build a better world by listening to those who have been devastated by this one. We are working with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on a potential roundtable for students in METCO to express how they are experiencing this time and share the change they wish to see and the actions they want done. Please let us know if you would like to help plan this critical conversation using this link. We grieve with you, and with all who seek justice every day.

Next week we are offering three powerful and FREE professional development opportunities for all educators.

First, the scholars and practitioners at the Harvard Graduate School of Education's RIDES Institute are re-convening, with a corrected registration link (apologies to those who could not get in to last week's session). This free, highly interactive conversation with experts in successful school integration programs is especially important during this traumatic time. Moderated by Dr. Darnisa Amante-Jackson (Tri-Chair), Dr. Mary Anton (Coach and Principal of Learning), and Dr. Lee Teitel (Founding Director & Tri-Chair).

Sharing Ways of Keeping Race and Equity on the Table During the Pandemic

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 4-6:30PM

What opportunities do you see in your planning for reopening schools next year to keep race and equity at the center? What do you want to make sure to return to, or to make sure you don’t return to? What innovations and adaptations are taking place during the pandemic that you would like to hold onto because they are actually reducing inequities?

Second, METCO's own D. Farai Williams, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is offering a series of two unique virtual workshops for educators and parents drawing on "embodied practice."

The Felt Sense: A Social-Emotional Journey for Wellness

MONDAY, JUNE 8, 4:30-6pm

All of us need tools to ground ourselves, regulate our emotions, and heal—particularly during ongoing trauma. This virtual workshop is experiential, meaning it is much more than watching a webinar. Participants will go on a physical and mental journey together and learn how emotions live in our bodies, and build skills to stay in touch with both. Participants will e xperience relief and release of stored up energy, discover the body/heart/mind connection, develop mental and emotional resiliency, and practice healthy emotion regulation.

The New Norm: COVID & A Place for Me

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 4:30-6pm

This session can be taken as a follow-up to "The Felt Sense," or it can stand on its own. Participants will engage their body, mind, and heart to recover more internal space for managing COVID-related stress. You will understand what happens in the body during a fight/flight/freeze response, learn the "Intra SEL" approach to build more resilience, and learn new strategies for managing anxiety and stress. Bring a journal and a water bottle, and get ready to find an anchor inside of yourself.

SATURDAY, JUNE 27 AT 1PM

We are excited to share the line-up of dignitaries from across the Commonwealth who will be making celebratory remarks in honor of the METCO Class of 2020 during our virtual celebration:

Governor Charlie Baker

Commissioner of Elementary & Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley

Mayor Marty Walsh

Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz

Senator Jason Lewis

Rep. Alice Peisch

Rep. David Linsky

Dr. Jean McGuire

ALUMNI KEYNOTE

Boston City Council President Kim Janey

STUDENT KEYNOTE

Shawn Bernier, Wayland High School

Remember: in order to customize their virtual "walk across the stage," seniors need to register and upload their own photo, message, and/or 10-second video. Thanks to the enthusiastic outreach by METCO Directors and staff, almost two-thirds of the graduating METCO students have registered. Check with Colin to see the status of your seniors, and send them to metcoinc.org to complete the sign-up form. The new deadline to provide this content is Friday June 5.

In the midst of all the tragic events around us, METCO staff continue to create opportunities for students and families to thrive and be celebrated.

On Saturday, Bedford hosted their 10th annual academic scholarship competition, the Tenacity Challenge — their first using the virtual Zoom format. You can find out which teams of Latino and African-American students from urban and suburban high schools across Massachusetts took home the prizes on social media. But we want to share one special award, given to retiring Bedford Superintendent Jon Sills. METCO Director Akil Mondesir announced that future challenges will be known as the Jon Sills L&A2 Tenacity Challenge, and presented him with a plaque featuring each of the t-shirts given to participants over the years. Congratulations, Jon, and thank you for your service to the whole METCO community! Read more about it here .

The Wayland community honored all of the graduating class last week by organizing a parade of cars, and held a special date to celebrate the Boston resident seniors this past Saturday. Present at the festivities were eight of the seniors graduating from Wayland High School, along with high school principal Allyson Mizoguchi, Milly Arbaje-Thomas, METCO CEO, Superintendent Dr. Arthur Unobskey, high school METCO Coordinator Mark Liddell, and METCO Director Dr. Tony Laing.

Special thank you to La Toya Rivers, METCO Director in Weston (top row, far left), for being a guest speaker in last week's enrollment Information Session. She gave the Director's perspective about parent expectations, and what parents should know and understand about joining an integration program. Parents appreciated the insights!