English students prepping for MCAS

LYNN – For the past several weeks, Lynn English High School students have been participating in MCAS review sessions after school, courtesy of a grant from the Lynn Business Education Foundation. This week, all their preparation will be put to good use when they take their biology exams.”For the past two years our staff has talked about doing this type of program, but with a limited budget, our money had to be used for lab supplies,” biology teacher Lauren Mezzetti said. “We are so thankful to the Lynn Business Education Foundation and Dr. (Fred) Cole for seeing the need for this program to help not just our (English Language Learners), but all students who have the desire to learn more and do well on their upcoming exams.”The program began in April with a parent science night where students and parents learned about the importance of passing the MCAS and the benefits of scoring well.”Parents and students were informed on how to study for the exams and then worked together on biochemistry problems,” Mezzetti said.Following the informational session, an ice cream social was held in the school cafeteria, courtesy of Treadwell’s Ice Cream in Peabody. Each Wednesday in May, more than 130 students participated in the review sessions until 5 p.m., rotating to study a different topic each week. The sessions concluded with pizza and juice provided, at a discount, by Top Notch Pizza and Nicky’s Pizza.”We are so delighted by the the number of students who participated in our after school program,” Mezzetti said. “The students showed a sincere interest in the lectures and activities that helped to give them a greater understanding of the concepts of biology. Now that we have had such a successful program and the students demonstrated a desire to participate in an after school program, we will continue to find a way to offer the program again next year.”