Local teachers named Teach Plus policy fellows
Teach Plus, a national teacher leadership organization, selected 21 teachers from around Massachusetts for its 2023-2024 Policy Fellowship cohort, including two from Lowell Public Schools and two from the North Middlesex Regional School District.
Bianca Prieto, from Lowell’s Robinson Middle School, and Jessica Harrington, from Nissitissit Middle School in Pepperell, were named policy fellows. Ralph Saint-Louis, from Lowell High School, and Kevin Cormier, STEM director for North Middlesex, were named senior policy fellows, with Cormier serving as lead senior fellow.
The fellows come from a variety of settings, including district schools, charter schools and early childhood centers, and teach a variety of subjects and age levels from early childhood to 12th grade. They are trained in policy, advocacy, research and communications and develop the skills necessary to advocate for changes for Massachusetts’ students. Each fellow was chosen based on their strong commitment to the classroom and to equity, their ability to articulate the needs of their students and their pursuit of excellence and innovation in their teaching.
“Massachusetts just celebrated 30 years since the passing of the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993,” Teach Plus Massachusetts Executive Director Christopher Marino said. “In the past three decades, we have made a lot of progress and there is a lot that still needs to be done. It is imperative that we have a diverse and highly qualified group of educators at the table as we look to build upon our efforts and work toward ensuring all students in Massachusetts have access to a high-quality and equitable education system,”
Mills42 school supply drive
LOWELL — Mills42 Federal Credit Union created a school supply drive for Butler Middle School students earlier this summer. The school supply bags were filled with items such as pencils, pens, highlighters, glue sticks, tape, notebooks, binders, index cards, Post-it Notes and more.
“Through generous contributions from Mills42 members, staff, volunteers and the credit union itself, we were able to assemble 42 bags filled with mostly everything that was on the student supply list,” President and CEO Derek Cronin said. “Back to school shopping can be stressful, especially when money is tight. By taking school supply shopping off the shoulders of the parents and giving the students all the tools they need, we hope this will lead to a successful school year for those families.”
Outdoor family fun
LOWELL — The Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust is partnering with the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Mass Audubon and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Assabet National Wildlife Refuge to host a Family Outdoors Day.
Lowell is an Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership City — one of only 29 in the U.S. — by the U.S. F&WS. Practice fishing and archery skills and enjoy a wildlife visit on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Muldoon Park, 5 Billerica St. Registration is required for planning purposes. To register, go to bit.ly/47kK02t. For more information, call 978-934-0030.
Movie time at Luna Theater
LOWELL — Catch a screening of the movie “Precious,” a film by Lee Daniels, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 6:30 p.m., at the Luna Theater, Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson St.
The free event is the final Book To Film Book Club discussion, which is co-presented by Lala Books and the Lowell Film Collaborative. After the screening, the audience is invited to stay for a discussion of the novel “Push” by Sapphire, on which the movie was based. For information, call 978-320-5862.
