Among those attending the opening celebration of the All-Stars program at Breed Middle School were, back from left, Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Catherine C. Latham, Lynn Police Chief Kevin Coppinger, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutwiler and Bridgewell President and CEO Robert Stearns.
By GAYLA CAWLEY
LYNN — Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett is providing over $60,000 in funding for an All-Stars Program at Breed Middle School to help participating students develop leadership skills and avoid self-destructive behaviors.
When visiting schools, Blodgett typically tells students he only wants to meet them in the classroom and not in the courtroom. Blodgett is backing that up with his funding, which is going towards an All-Stars program at Breed that gives 56 seventh and eighth graders the opportunity to participate in a 25-week after-school program designed to help them develop leadership skills and avoid self-destructive behaviors, according to information from Lynn Public Schools.
The All-Stars program, which runs Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. and is funded by the DA’s office through the Lynn Police Department, is a research-based curriculum geared towards middle school students. Project COPE, an affiliate of Bridgewell, is providing a clinician, according to information from Lynn Public Schools.
The program kicked off on Jan. 4 with an event attended by Blodgett, Lynn School Superintendent Dr. Catherine C. Latham, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, Lynn Police Chief Kevin Coppinger and Bridgewell President and CEO Robert Stearns, according to information from Lynn Public Schools.
Administering the program is Lauren Phelps, a Breed guidance counselor, who said the focus is on substance abuse prevention, creating a belief in social norms, developing a positive rapport with adults and delaying sexual activity, according to information from Lynn Public Schools.
“We are looking at this as an opportunity to develop the future leaders of our community,” Phelps said in a statement. “We’re addressing things that kids typically have a hard time talking about with their parents.”
Phelps said there are four components to each session – homework, a snack and dinner, the All-Stars curriculum and recreation activity, including sports, games, art and computers, according to information from Lynn Public Schools.
“We are very grateful to District Attorney Blodgett for giving us the opportunity to implement this valuable program,” said Latham in a statement. “We are also appreciative of the collaboration with Lynn Police and Bridgewell. Breed students will benefit greatly from this program.”
Also working in the All Stars Program is Theresa Cooney, a Breed social worker, Kristen Dean, a Breed science teacher, Ryan Woumn, a paraprofessional, and police school resource officers Mark Lee, Ryan McDermott, Oren Wright and Bob Hogan, according to information from Lynn Public Schools.
With the program, participating students will also go on field trips, including trips to a Boston Celtics game and Title Boxing Club in Saugus. Shortly after the program began, students were asked to invite a teacher to dinner to show appreciation for what those teachers do. The students and teachers dined on a meal from Jade Pacifica, one of the community partners in program, according to information from Lynn Public Schools.
“It was so nice to see the kids’ faces light up when they saw the teachers,” Phelps said in a statement. “The students put together a slideshow, stating why the teacher they invited inspires them.”
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]