Updates for Boston families from
METCO HQ
JUNE 2020
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Dear METCO families,
The title of this newsletter resonates differently this month. On the one hand, it feels like Boston isn't on the move at all, since we have been staying as close to home as we can, and so many activities are still closed. On the other hand, this last week of tragedies and protests has been extremely upsetting, and events are moving quickly. The bottom line is, if you are like me, you are working harder than ever, both physically and emotionally. The country is in crisis, the children are home, loved ones need support. The future is very hard to predict.
METCO Headquarters is on the move too, but not quite the way we hoped we would be this spring. We have moved completely out of the office at 40 Dimock Street, METCO's home since 1971.
(That's me above with METCO Board Chair
Patrick Kimble,
packing up.) Fortunately, we transitioned all of our systems online over the last two years, so we can access all of our work from home. The thousands of families hoping to enroll their children in METCO when schools resume can upload their documents from home and get all the support they need from our team via phone or even a virtual Info Session
(below)!.
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This transition has pushed us to provide new services to support you and your children. Learning at home has not been easy. No matter how hard our students and families try, there will be some academic and social emotional losses. HQ has been working hard to prepare to fill these gaps with a number of high-quality academic and social/emotional support programs that will all launch starting in June. See below for all the details. We hope to see you and your children in some of these offerings.
With all the uncertainty around us, there's one thing that hasn't changed: how proud we are of your children. The bus rides have gone for the moment, but the resilience, curiosity, humor, compassion, and creativity of the 3,100 students of the METCO program amaze us every day. That's why the whole team at Headquarters is excited to launch a new event to honor the oldest of this cohort
—the members of the graduating class of 2020. Let's unite as one METCO family to celebrate these young people as they complete their METCO experience and step into the world they are going to reshape.
See you on June 27!
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Milly Arbaje-Thomas, MSW
President & CEO
METCO, Inc.
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SUMMER VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
The COVID-19 Pandemic has caused many shifts in our daily routines. Students have lost the ability to continue to bond with their friends, have been impacted with loved ones affected with COVID and have been challenged to keep up with a new world full of virtual classes and self guided learning. We know that for black and brown kids, the educational gaps are even greater and we must continue to work tirelessly to close those gaps. As a result, HQ has shifted all of its programming to provide a wide range of direct supports to help students and family deal with the COVID-19 challenges. We have designed our own programming and have partnered with experts to offer much needed services. Below is a list of all the upcoming programs, along with the applications and registrations for each. We hope to see you and your students at one of our offerings!
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FREE PARENT WORKSHOPS
Virtual classes and workshops designed just for you!
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THE POWER OF PARENTING
JUNE 11-JULY 16, Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-7pm
This signature program of
Families First Parenting Program
includes an interactive, skills based curriculum that strengthens parents’ knowledge of child development and helps them build new skills to promote their children’s learning, confidence, and self-esteem. This program is for METCO parents of children ages 5-8.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Come to a Families First Info Session:
Thursday, June 4 or Tuesday, June 9 from 6-7pm
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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 led by METCO's Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
D. Farai Williams
, 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 experience relief and release of stored-up energy, discover the body/ heart/mind connection, develop mental and emotional resiliency, and practice healthy emotion regulation.
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THE NEW NORM: COVID & A SPACE FOR ME
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 4:30-6pm
In this second "embodied" workshop offerings from
D. Farai Williams,
participants will will engage their body, mind, and heart to recover more internal space for managing COVID-related stress. Learn what happens in the body during a fight/flight/freeze response, the "Intra SEL" approach to build more resilience, and new strategies for managing anxiety and stress. Bring a journal and a water bottle, and get ready to find an anchor inside of yourself. This session can be taken as a follow-up to "The Felt Sense," or it can stand on its own.
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COLLEGE PLANNING 101
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 5:30-7pm
College advisor
Yanitza Medina
shares everything families and students need to know to devise a college plan that is achievable and successful and how to get started with the college application process. Participants will explore higher education options, both traditional and alternative pathways, and learn how to choose the path that is right for you!
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COLLEGE FINANCING 101
FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 5:30-7pm
Learn about all the different financing options available to students to keep costs down and graduate with as little debt as possible. Participants will learn how to apply for financial aid, identify federal and state aid, and find relevant scholarships. Led by college advisor
Yanitza Medina.
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HELPING YOUR CHILD CATCH UP
TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 4:30-5:30pm
Neil Khaund,
CEO of Livius Tutoring, will share what families need to know about how to navigate the unique academic challenges we’re all facing this summer regarding academics, learning loss, and long term impact. Participants will 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, and explore Livius' Two-Sigma academic tutoring program.
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ONLINE TUTORING
Our expert partner
Livius
is offering a summer academic tutoring program that provides the opportunity to close any gaps from this year’s school closures, and help students catch up and/or get ahead for the fall. Any METCO student in grades K-12 can receive personalized, small-group coaching in Math and English, taught by master tutors in 45-minute Zoom sessions. Sessions run from June 22-August 14, twice a week for 8 weeks (times are flexible). Read more about our partner Livius
here
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Three tutoring formats: 1:1, 2:1, 3:1
- 3:1: $300 per student
- 2:1: $500 per student
- 1:1: $750
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TELE-THERAPY
To help students cope with loss, isolation, and school disruptions, METCO is contracting with a team of therapists that are ready to provide this very targeted level of support. METCO students in all grades can be paired with a diverse group of certified mental health counselors for weekly 50-minute sessions at convenient hours, online or by phone. $100 per session, some health insurance accepted.
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CELEBRATE METCO'S SENIORS ONLINE!
This year's high school seniors are experiencing a very different spring than they had envisioned. Remote learning instead of group discussions, small screens instead of long hangouts, and an empty calendar where long-awaited games, performances, social events, and beloved senior-year milestones would have been scheduled. Schools are providing a range of wonderful virtual ceremonies and activities. METCO Headquarters is excited to supplement those, and to specially honor the unique achievements of the graduating seniors who are part of the METCO program.
You are invited to the
first virtual celebration of the entire cohort
of Boston students who are completing their METCO experience!
Featuring
celebratory remarks from dignitaries across the Commonwealth:
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METCO'S CLASS OF 2020 CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, JUNE 27 AT 1PM
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ARE YOU THE PARENT OF A SENIOR?
Send them to
SIGN UP HERE
so they can upload their information and be notified of how to participate
by FRIDAY, JUNE 5.
QUESTIONS?
Email
Colin Stokes
,
Director of Communications, Outreach, and Engagement.
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METCO ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS THROUGH JUNE 15!
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Our Enrollment team,
Wilmary Tejeda and
Kenlyne Exume, are connecting with guardians all day every day as they complete their forms, upload the required documents, and attend virtual Info Sessions in multiple languages to learn about the enrollment process and the METCO experience. Meanwhile, If you know anyone who might want METCO as an option for their child, now is the time to apply! Send them to
metcoinc.org/apply today.
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our Director of Communications, Outreach, and Engagement.
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