Northeast Gets A Jump On New Student Anxiety

Starting at a new school can cause anxiety for the best of students. Northeast Metro Tech tackled the issue by hosting a summer enrichment program for incoming freshmen.

From July 10-21, approximately 200 students from Northeast’s 12 districts partook in the free summer enrichment program, which is designed to give incoming ninth graders the opportunity to tour the school, meet their teachers, coaches and peers from other cities and towns, and experience shops prior to the start of the year.

“This program is designed to relieve any potential anxiety students may have coming to a new school and district,” Summer Transition Director Joe O'Brien said “It also serves as a great way for students to make friends from out of their hometown district.”

Each week, students spent time in English, math and biology classes, and rotated through two shops. In auto body, students painted license plates, while in auto tech, they learned how to change oil and tires. In plumbing, students worked with copper tubing, and in electrical, they learned the basic fundamentals of wiring.

Over in cosmetology, students practiced hair braiding, nail painting and makeup application. Instructors in design and visual showed incoming freshmen how to make creative greeting cards that they could send to family and friends.

In the culinary shop, students made chicken pot pies, and for the baking session, were led by Stephen Delios, owner of Kane's Donuts, on how to make dessert pies and turnovers.

During classroom time, teachers went over the summer reading in English class, completed MCAS prep work in math and took part in hereditary experiments surrounding genealogy in biology.

The two weeks concluded with a slush party, where students spent time with new friends and teachers and took home their shop projects.

Photos Courtesy Northeast Voke. Alex Uceda, of Chelsea, works on a postcard in the design and visual shop during the 2016 summer enrichment program. Josh Yandoli, of Revere, works on a car in the auto tech shop during the 2016 summer enrichment program.