WHAM
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE MET?
Trimester 3, 2019-2020
TheMetHighSchool.org
401-752-2600
The 2020 Graduation at Home!
SEE PAGE 4
PAGE 6
PAGE 7
Jaychele Schenck
Leads the Way
Jose Takes First
Place at NFTE
Regionals
Alumni Spotlight
Page 11
The Met is a State Operated Public High School · Students First Since 1996
Dear Met Community,!
Without question, BLACK LIVES MATTER.
Equality, Justice, Liberty, Peace and Unity
are not just the names of buildings on our
campuses. They are the foundation of the
community that we strive to build every
day.! But we are not isolated.! We know that
the events of the world impact our
students, our staff, our families and our
community.!!
!
We stand in unity with those who give voice
to injustice.! We face down those who
threaten our liberty.! We strive for equality.
We encourage peaceful protest but know
that peace is not attainable until justice is
for all.!From Providence to the East Bay to
our network of schools around the world,
we must lift our voices and be heard.!
Nancy Diaz and Dennis Littky
Co Directors, The Met High School
This school year has been unprecedented. Who would have thought that when we
started this school year that we would need to completely reinvent the way we educate,
communicate, and live in this age of COVID-19? Our students, parents, and staff have
come together to help finish the school year. We were uniquely positioned to take
advantage of the technology plan that we already had in place. We quickly supported
those who needed Internet connections and maintained the Chromebooks that were
already in place. We moved to virtual advisories almost seamlessly as we adapted
curriculum for at-home use. We want to especially thank our teaching staff, many of
whom were supporting their children at home, who worked so hard to maintain the
high level of student support that we know is crucial to success.
We also want to celebrate our graduating seniors who sacrificed so much to finish this
school year. Though many of our traditions were not fulfilled due to social distancing
restrictions, they made us proud by continuing their commitment to their education and
completed their senior year with dignity and pride. Congratulations, Class of 2020.
We cannot finish this letter without acknowledging our community's courage in the face
of challenging times in our nation. Our statement, which we have reprinted on the
facing page, is only a small part of our response to the current situation. Watching our
students become leaders in the community and organize to make change validates our
role as educators. It encourages us to make sure that our students feel empowered to
question the world around them.
Please stay safe and enjoy the summer ahead. We are committed to keeping you
informed about the upcoming school year and working with you to continue the
tradition of excellence in education at the Met.
Nancy and Dennis
CO-DIRECTOR’S CORNER
Celebrating the Class of 2020
With Billboards, Buses and
Lots of Balloons!
The Class of 2020 has been so open to all of the changes that have been thrown at them
this year. From virtual prom produced by our friends at Hot 106 to Zoom valedictorian
speeches to graduation at home broadcast by Ch10, they have been pioneers in this
new normal.
We are so proud of all the work that they have done over the last four years, and we
don’t want the events of the last three months to overshadow the fantastic careers
they’ve had at the Met. This class as a whole, and each student individually has achieved
so much. They earned over one thousand nine hundred fifty college credits. This class
has received 2.9 million dollars in college scholarships. They have created 20 small
businesses, and some were awarded money to fund their start-ups. These seniors
completed 353 trade certifications, which lead to real jobs - five of our graduates have
already been hired full-time by their internship sites. Students in this class have traveled
throughout the U.S. and the world to speak at conferences, complete their Real World
Learning projects, and become more conscious of the world around them.
The list of accomplishments from this class is impressive, but what is amazing is that
every student is recognized, and every student can chart their own way. Though we were
apart for some of this year, we made incredible memories throughout the last four years.
Congratulations Class of 2020!
Gen Z: We Want to Live is a new youth-led organization co-founded by our own Jaychele
Schenck. At noon on Friday, June 12, the group led a march to the State House, where
marchers “dropped dead” and staged a “die-in” for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the length
of time a Minneapolis police officer knelt on the neck of George Floyd, the black man
whose death has sparked nationwide protests. “We are here to educate and advocate,”
says Jaychele, ”black people’s skin color should not warrant a life sentence of fear.” She
and co-founder Isabella James Indellicati, 15, a student at Classical High School,
emphasized that young people need to lead a movement that will shape the future they
will have to live.
Leading the Way in Difficult Times
Focused on the Community
Met Class of 2019 alum Lennox Orellana has been busy
documenting the recent protests in Providence. His striking
images can be seen on his Facebook page - facebook.com/
lennox.orellana. His photo “Noah” was also recently featured
on the Italian Vogue website:
https://www.vogue.it/en/photovogue/portfolio/?
id=218194&refresh_ce=
Congratulations Jose Rodriguez,Jr
NFTE Regional First Place Winner
Even in this time of virtual learning, the work of our Center for Innovation and
Entrepreneurship continues. We are proud to announce that Unity’s Jose Rodriguez, Jr
placed first at the New England Regional NFTE Entrepreneurship Challenge. His business,
Ta8tum, focuses on providing clothing with integrated tools for people with autism. You
can view his full pitch here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubPLhoMlxCc&feature=youtu.be.
You can also see the award ceremony on the NFTE Facebook page:
Facebook.com/NFTENewEngland.
Help us find new STUDENTS & MENTORS
It’s always recruitment season at the Met. We are always
looking for new students. Share your stories of student
success with your family, friends and neighbors. New
students can now apply online at -
TheMetHighSchool.org/apply
Mentors are so important to our school. Do you know
professionals in the community who would make great
Met mentors? Ask them to reach out to us on our website -
TheMetHighSchool.org/mentor
High School in the
state for
School
Engagement
#1
#1
High School in
the state for
School Teacher-
Student
Relationships
#1
High School in
the state for
School Rigorous
Expectations
Source: RI SurveyWorks! Available at www.ride.ri.gov
The Met is #1 in 9 of 11 areas surveyed by the Rhode Island Department of Education in 2019
Innovative Real World Education
The Met!is a network of six small,
public high schools located in
Providence and Newport.!
With high standards and strong family
engagement, the Met’s individualized
learning approach has proven
successful in unlocking students’
passion for learning.!
Apply Online!
No tuition,
no entrance exam
Accepting applications
from all Rhode Island
students currently in
grades 8-12.
We have rolling admissions
and we accept applications
year-round.
For more information call
Providence 401.752.2636
or Newport 401.846.5320
or visit TheMetHighSchool.org
NEW
Visit
TheMetHighSchool.org/apply
For Details
2020-2021 RIDE District
Teacher of the Year
Eleanor
Dove Harris
Congratulations!
Real World Learning During Distance Learning
East Bay student, Holly deGrayBirch was
part of a project to paint this mural for
Lawn Avenue Middle School 8th grade
graduates in Jamestown.
Equality’s Brandon Feliz was elected as
the chairperson of the RIDE Student
Advisory Council and as such he will
serve as RI's Student Representative on
the Council on Elementary and
Secondary Education and on the RI
Board of Education.!
Alumni Spotlight
Shout out to Natalia Marte! Natalia
recently graduated from the University
of Buffalo with a law degree and is
pursuing her PhD.
Our own Troy Allen recently had the
amazing opportunity to customize
an outfit for one of his idols - Lady
Gaga.
We are so proud of Alma Alvarez, Met
Class of 2010. She pursued her passion
for public service and became a Rhode
Island State Trooper. Here she is seen,
during the stay-at-home orders,
promoting literacy for young children by
participating in online storytelling. You
can see her video and other state
troopers reading their favorite books at
risp.ri.gov/gallery/storytime/index.php .
College Unbound is designed
for adult learners who want to
complete their degree.
CU recognizes your experience
and what you’ve already learned.
For more information visit:
www.CollegeUnbound.org
Did your college studies get
interrupted?
/metschool @metschool MetHighSchool
Public Street Campus
The Met Public Street
325 Public Street
Providence, RI 02905
Peace Street Campus
The Met Peace Street School
362 Dexter Street
Providence, RI 02907
East Bay !– Paul Crowley Campus
The Met East Bay School
115 Girard Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
Watch it now at TheMetHighSchool.org