Lynn English celebrates award from Intel

LYNN – Lynn English High School held a community celebration on Thursday to thank the Intel Corporation for bestowing the mathematics department with its School of Distinction Award for excellence in preparing students to be future innovators.Representatives from Intel, as well as program sponsors SMART Technologies and Elluminate, attended the celebration and reception to award curriculum materials, professional development resources and software prizes valued at over $200,000. The school also received $2,500 from Intel for being named a finalist and an additional $10,000 for being named an award winner.”We’re celebrating a prestigious national award for our math department,” LEHS Vice Principal Jennifer Mancaniello said. “The faculty and staff could not be more proud.”School Committee Secretary Thomas Iarrobino spoke on behalf of the school committee and commended the students and faculty who helped make the event possible. Iarrobino attended an awards reception in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 15 to accept the award along with Mancaniello, math department chairman Kathleen Bonnevie and Lynn Public Schools Superintendent Catherine Latham.”English stands proudly here among some of the finest schools in the nation, and this has brought great pride to the city of Lynn,” Iarrobino said.According to Intel, Lynn English was chosen as to receive the award based on its challenging learning environment, which encourages students to take active roles as self-directed learners and teachers to assume coaching roles. The school has produced high test scores as a direct result of its strong commitment to a technology-driven learning environment.”It is critical for U.S. schools to invest in math and science education,” said Shelly Esque, vice president, Legal and Corporate Affairs director, Corporate Affairs Group. “Because education is the foundation for innovation, the schools recognized as Intel Schools of Distinction are performing valuable services that will open doors to unprecedented opportunities for their students.”All Lynn English students take algebra and geometry, with numerous additional courses available for upperclassmen. There are opportunities to enroll in biotechnology, computer-aided design and technology certification courses as well as work as interns in various fields.”You have something very special here,” said Brian Lenaghan, New England business development manager for Intel. “Not only are you teaching 21st century skill sets, you’re giving your students opportunities to go out there and find a job? the commitment from the community, the faculty, the school and the students is commendable.”Lynn English – as well as nearby Revere High School – was named as one of three high school finalists for the mathematics award in April. More that $1.3 million in cash, products and services were awarded to the 18 schools named as finalists for the mathematics and science awards.Bryan Schofield of SMART Technologies and Gary Dietz of Elluminate also congratulated the school and Schofield awarded the math department with technology classroom packages for three classrooms. SMART Technologies will also host a teaching workshop on the school’s campus for 15 teachers.”We hope to reward inspirational teaching, inspirational schools and inspirational teachers,” Schofield said. “I am very proud to present a Smarter Kids Foundation Award to your school.”School of Distinction honors for mathematics excellence also went to Cedar Park Elementary School of Truman, Ark., (elementary division) and Urban Assembly for Applied Math and Science of the Bronx, N.Y. (middle school division). Three schools were also awarded for science excellence.