LYNN – Connery Elementary School launched its 2025-2026 school year by having a back to school celebration on Tuesday.
The celebration was held one day before classes officially start on Wednesday. At the event, students had the opportunity to meet their teachers ahead of time for a smoother first-day process.
Parent Jasmine Adames has been attending the event with her daughter for three years, and says that the atmosphere gets her second grader more excited to start school again.
A series of Lynn community partners were also present at the event to inform students and parents about local educational resources. These partners included: Lynn Public Health, Lynn Public Library, Coordinated Family Community Engagement, Girls Inc, Aspire Developmental Services, Children’s Friend and Family Services, Family Forward Resource Center, Lynn Community Connections Coalition, Brotherhood Credit Union, The REAL Program, New American Center Youth Program, and Constellation Kids.
“Having the parents be able to engage with all of these community resources will help us with our academic success,” Connery Elementary School Program Director Micheal Brown said.
“It is huge. We want to generate excitement around going back to school, so we work really hard to get everyone involved. It’s all about working together as a broader community for the success of our students,” Brown added.
To add extra pizzazz, Connery Elementary School also brought in a DJ, and offered free school supplies and a haircut station so students can feel fresh for their first day of school.
Attendees also had the opportunity to vote on the name for the school’s new mascot, a Quetzal bird. The options? Thunderbird, Coco, or Chico.
“Everybody gets their own input on how the school is represented,” building Substitute Teacher and Connery Elementary School alumni Mercedes Matos said.
Lynn Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Ellen Fritz applauded the organizers of the event for bringing the students, parents, staff, and community partners together.
“You can feel the energy throughout the neighborhood. They’re already starting to build a sense of community before the first day, so all of our students can enter a school where they feel safe and included,” Fritz said.
