NEWTON METCO School Committee Presentation April 2016 Maricel Sheets, Director

 Racial Imbalance Law of  Newton, one of the first of seven communities to establish the METCO program with Boston students joining in September of  Proudly in existence for 50 years, one of the only voluntary integration programs in the nation. METCO, Inc.

Provide opportunity for children from racially imbalanced schools in Boston and children from isolated suburban schools to learn together in an integrated public school setting. Mission of METCO

Increase the diversity and reduce racial isolation, in order for students from different backgrounds to learn from each other in meaningful ways and provide a closer understanding and cooperation between urban and suburban parents and other citizens in the Boston Metropolitan area. Vision of METCO

Provide a strong academic foundation, as well as an environment rich in cultural, educational, ethnic and racial diversity for the academic and social success of students. Newton METCO’s Purpose

Support Student Success, K-12 Provide Staff Support & Training Engage Family & Community Priorities

Increased staff from 4 to 6 METCO Counselors and one intern. Elementary/Middle School Counselor average case load of 80 students serving 4-5 schools.  Newton METCO Staff presence at all 21 schools  Intense Academic & Attendance Progress Monitoring for K-2  Peer group social/emotional skill development  Coordinate in-school and out-of-school services  Effective transition plan to each level Support Student Success - Staffing

 Increase access to programming that supports students academic and social success.  Partner with Title I for the Strong Start Program serving entering Kindergarten students.  Coordinate Transportation for Summer Programming  ELL, Extended School Year, Calculus Project, Summer Success, and Transition Program Support Student Success - Programming

 Equitable presence and support of Newton METCO Counselors at all 21 schools.  METCO Counselors to supervise 4-5 interns seeking Guidance Counseling and Social Work licensure.  Provide opportunity for diverse undergrads/grads students to experience a suburban public district.  Increase the diversity pool for future vacancies in guidance counseling and social work positions. Opportunities & Challenges to Support Student Success

 Increase placement of Kindergarten students in After Care to increase peer-to-peer relationship building and minimize transportation cost and time on travel.  Place students in cohorts and equitably distribute placement among elementary schools. Opportunities & Challenges to Support Student Success

 Courageous Conversations About Race Series  Collaboration with Teaching & Learning and Newton METCO to provide professional development to over 100 Newton school administrators to support the social and academic success of all students.  Tailored Professional Development for Curriculum Coordinators, ELA MS teachers and Special Education Administrators.  Newton METCO Staff support schools with culturally proficient practices. Coaching & Supporting Staff

 Expand Culturally Proficient School Practices  Support school leaders in engaging in effective practices.  Continue to develop Newton METCO staff facilitation and training skills to support staff at schools.  Increase teacher and staff capacity in culturally proficient practices. Opportunities & Challenges Staff Support & Training

 Direct communication between Newton METCO Counselor and families at assigned schools.  Support METCO Liaisons on School PTOs.  Decrease Newton METCO Family meetings from 6 to 3 to support Newton METCO family participation at parent/teacher conferences, school-wide activities and Newton Family Conference. Family & Community Engagement

 Over 400 in attendance – Boston and Newton families of color.  Overall positive feedback from 108 evaluations.  Families found the speaker, forum, and workshops to be engaging, thoughtful and helpful.  Families are asking for workshops to be longer, for Kalise Wornum to return and for more opportunities for networking. Newton Family Conference

 Establish the Newton Buddy Program at each Elementary School for new families.  Institute an advisory council of former “host families” to learn of best practices.  Newton METCO Parent Board C0-Chair to serve on the Newton Citywide PTO.  Draft a Newton METCO Liaison description for PTOs. Opportunities & Challenges Family & Community Engagement

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