LYNN — Wednesday marked the opening of school for all Lynn Public Schools students in grades 1-12, but for one school, it was the first day ever.
City Arts and Sciences Academy (CASA), a new program housed in the Fecteau-Leary building on North Common Street, welcomed 161 ninth-graders and 122 sixth-graders on Wednesday, with Principal Christopher Norkun and staff directing them to their classroom assignments.
CASA is a STEAM school – science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math – designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving demands of the modern workforce. It is located on the second and third floors of the old Lynn Classical High School and will occupy the entire building next year when the Harold Durgin Success Academy completes its move to 195 Market St.
CASA will add two classes each year until it reaches its capacity as a grade 6-12 school. “Welcome back,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Evonne S. Alvarez, popping into teacher Elana Glover’s sixth-grade Humanities class.
The concept for CASA was developed by LPS administrators and teachers in collaboration with experts from the Center of Arts and Scholarship and multiple community partners. CASA offers project-based learning, with students taking on different projects each trimester. There will also be an emphasis on community partnerships with organizations such as Raw Art Works and Girls Inc.
In addition to Norkun, a former Shoemaker Elementary School principal, there are 17 teachers, a paraprofessional, program specialist, nurse and clinician at CASA.
“Good morning. Are you excited to be back? We’re excited to see you,” Alvarez told Dom Voci’s sixth-grade science class. Harold Durgin Leadership Academy Principal Maura Durgin-Scully stood in front of the building, greeting her returning students and seemingly knowing something about each one with whom she interacted.
The alternative school, named for her late father, a 40-year teacher/coach in LPS, has approximately 130 students from high school age to 21.
Alvarez and deputy superintendents Molly Cohen, Ellen Fritz and Julie Louf fanned out across the district Wednesday, checking in at elementary, middle and high schools.
One day down, 179 to go.
