SAUGUS — A six-week enrichment pilot program at Belmonte STEAM Academy has concluded, and district officials are hailing the impact it had on the school.
“I think (it) had tremendous results,” Superintendent Michael Hashem said at a School Committee meeting.
“I’m really passionate about creating a positive culture for kids, and supporting learning and academics,” Principal Maureen Lueke said. “This has been a true cross section for some socialization for kids, and really some great learning.”
After the meeting, Lueke said that she wanted to limit the pilot program to just six weeks, and added that the students at Belmonte loved it.
Extracurricular activities for the program, including Spanish club, board game club, and golf club, were held once a week on Tuesdays. Lueke said that “the kids got a lot out of it.”
Despite its small scale, Lueke said the program had a big impact on the school. She said that she was familiar with programs of a similar nature and that they are able to teach students problem-solving skills, public speaking skills, and socialization among participating students of different age groups.
“I actually observed kids mentoring and supporting each other, so it was really nice to see that kind of culture of positive environments,” Lueke said.
She also said that the connections students made with teachers helped with their confidence and aided in developing their interests.
There was so much interest in the program that Lueke said a lottery system for students to participate had to be implemented.
Lueke said she hopes the school will have more programs like this in the future.
“Our goal is to help this grow, and have it continue, and expand the program with some funding, too,” she said.
She added that the program was enthusiastically received by the school’s teachers and the School Committee.
“We’ve been talking about that a little bit,” she said. “This has been a goal of mine, to bring this forward… there’s so many positives that come along with this.”
Lueke, a former social emotional learning director in the district, said Saugus Public Schools is keenly aware of “the whole child.”
“It’s definitely about their academics and having high standards, but also, finding those strengths that kids have, and helping develop and foster their confidence,” she said.
