Walpole METCO Program
Spring 2026 Newsletter
Walpole High School students joined peers from across the state to advocate for the importance of the METCO program. Students had the opportunity to meet with legislators, share their personal experiences, and speak on the value of diversity, access, and educational equity. Their voices were thoughtful, powerful, and truly representative of the strength of our program.
We are also excited to share incredible news that directly reflects the impact of this advocacy work. Yesterday, Dr. Kandice Sumner announced that, “Because of your collective efforts, METCO has been funded at $35 million in the FY27 House Ways and Means Budget. For the first time in our 60-year history, we will not need to file an amendment for additional funding. We set a bold ask this year because we knew it reflected what our students, schools, and communities truly need and deserve.”
In addition, the $1 million secured from the Senate last week, through the Fair Share Tax, is in addition to the $35 million in the budget. This is a historic moment for METCO and a testament to the voices, efforts, and commitment of students, families, and educators across the state. A powerful student experience.
Our Walpole METCO & Friends Elementary Bowling Event at Kings Dining & Entertainment was a wonderful success! Elementary students and their families came together for an afternoon of fun, laughter, and connection.
Thanks to the generous support of the Building Bridges Initiative, this free event provided two hours of bowling along with pizza, wings, and refreshments for all who attended.
This event created an opportunity for families from different communities to come together, build relationships, and strengthen connections. It is through experiences like these that we continue to bridge the gap between communities and foster a sense of belonging for all.
Battle of the Books was a huge success at both Fisher and Boyden! Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 participated in this exciting and engaging “battle,” where friendly competition encouraged them to explore a variety of book genres while strengthening their reading comprehension skills.
Working in teams, students collaborated with their peers to answer questions based on the books they read, showcasing not only their knowledge but also their teamwork and communication skills. The events were made even more special with a family style breakfast at Fisher and fun snacks at Boyden, creating a celebratory and supportive atmosphere for all participants.
Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 have been working incredibly hard and have successfully completed the ELA portion of MCAS testing.
Across all grade levels, students are also making great progress toward their ST Math goals. We are especially proud of our kindergarten student who reached the impressive milestone of 100% completion, an outstanding accomplishment that reflects determination and a strong start to their academic journey!
Birthday lunch bunch
Star Student
5th graders working
Field trip to Walpole Public Library
Field trip to Walpole Public Library
MDA Youth Leadership Conference
A group of our Walpole METCO students had the opportunity to attend the METCO Directors’ Association Youth Leadership Conference at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, alongside about 160 high school students from METCO districts across the state.
The theme of the day, “My Plan, My Purpose,” really encouraged students to start thinking about their future and what steps they want to take to get there. They participated in workshops focused on financial literacy, future pathways, and goal setting, giving them practical tools they can actually use.
Students also had time to explore a resource fair with organizations like the Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, City Year, Massachusetts State Police, and Bentley University, which gave them a chance to ask questions and learn about different career and post-secondary opportunities.
Mentoring - V.O.I.C.E.S
Over the past three months, our high school students have been traveling to Boyden Elementary School on Wednesdays to mentor elementary students, and it has been such a positive experience for everyone involved.
Together, they’ve been working on a variety of STEM projects, giving younger students the chance to explore, build, and problem solve in a fun and engaging way. At the same time, our high school mentors have stepped into leadership roles, guiding, encouraging, and building strong connections with their younger peers.
It’s been great to see these relationships grow each week, and this partnership continues to be a meaningful way to bring students together across grade levels while fostering curiosity, confidence, and teamwork.
Atisha Winslow
Uma Valluri
Charmaine Burrell
METCO Middle School Academic Liaison
cburrell@walpole.k12.ma.us