CONCORD — Alcott Elementary School’s METCO program has received a $4,500 grant from the Boston Bridges Initiative that will support an opportunity for students and families from Boston and Concord to spend time together outside the standard school day.
The grant will fund a year-end outing to Launch Trampoline Park on Dec. 17. The event will bring together Concord Public Schools students, some who live in Boston and others who live in Concord, to celebrate the year.
Through its partnership with the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity, Inc. (METCO) program, Alcott enrolls about 50 students from Boston each school year. Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle High School educate more than 120 METCO students in total, continuing a relationship that began in 1967 when 20 students first enrolled at Concord-Carlisle High School.
“Creating authentic connections and a strong sense of belonging is at the heart of the work our staff do every day,” said Principal Naomi Krakow. “The METCO Family Friends program is one of the many ways students and families can build lasting relationships across Boston and Concord. This grant allows us to deepen that work and continue fostering the kind of welcoming, connected school community every child deserves.”
The district’s METCO Family Friends Program connects families in Boston and Concord so they can build relationships outside of the school day. Monthly playdates are held on the second Wednesday of each month, and a late bus is available for students returning to Boston.
“The METCO program has been part of our community for generations, and its strength comes from the relationships students and families build together,” said Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter. “We are grateful to the Boston Bridges Initiative for supporting that work, and I thank K-8 METCO Director Solange Benjamin and METCO Academic Liaison Alyssa Silva for the work they did in securing this grant.”
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