Governor visits GMS to announce new summer learning programs
By Candace Paris
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker visits with GMS students. (Cynthia Rosina photo)
The mood was festive last Friday morning, April 30, for Governor Charlie Baker’s visit to the Galvin Middle School. One person in attendance noted, “It’s a special day.” This was the first time that Baker had come to any of the Canton schools, and the occasion was an announcement of a $70 million commonwealth-wide summer enrichment grant program.
Baker was accompanied by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Secretary of Education James Peyser, and Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley. Also in attendance were state Senator Walter Timilty, Chris Smith, executive director of education nonprofit Boston After School and Beyond, and several members of the Canton Public Schools’ administrative team.
The goal of the new, multi-year grant funding is to help offset pandemic-related impacts on school children. It is expected to benefit more than 50,000 students through programs in schools, at after-school providers, community colleges, and recreation sites. Canton administrators were notified a few weeks ago that the school district was awarded a $50,000 grant as part of the program to support new summer learning opportunities.
Baker was greeted at the door by three Galvin school students chosen as tour escorts: Project 351 Ambassador Jasmine Findlen, Camryn Mendlowitz, and Euniss Yoyo. Visibly upbeat, the governor chatted with the girls briefly, telling Findlen he’s a big fan of Project 351, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering youth leadership and service. He expressed enthusiasm about seeing Galvin students able to play together outside and asked about the pool noodle game, learning it is a COVID-friendly version of tag.
After having his temperature taken by another student, Baker was presented with a Canton bulldog mask. He then toured the school, stopping by two classrooms. One visit was brief, but he stayed in the second room for about 10 minutes to answer student questions, touching on various topics including governing at the state versus federal level, voting, and Massachusetts being the site of the first wind project in the country.
Following the tour, a socially distanced press conference took place in the cafeteria. Canton Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Fischer-Mueller welcomed the group and expressed thanks for the funding, which she said will provide supportive programs. She referred to students’ “many learning challenges this year, resulting in various academic and social-emotional stumbling blocks” and said that those needs must now be addressed …
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Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=74360
Posted by Candace Paris
on May 7 2021. Filed under News, Schools.
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