Melrose Public School Families Invited To Attend METCO Event

MELROSE, MA — On Saturday, Aug. 19 from 12 to 4 p.m., Melrose families with children in the public schools are invited to join METCO students and families for an afternoon of free, family-friendly activities, vendors, and more at Garvey Park, located at 340 Neponset Avenue in Dorchester.

Organized by Metafold, a Boston-based community and education non-profit, the event will feature sports games and activities, refreshments, a market fair of black-owned businesses, community resources, and a backpack and school supply raffle.

Event organizer Aiyana Spencer-Lakes, whose son is a rising seventh grader at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School through the METCO program, says this year’s event will build on the success of last year’s.

“Not only was 2022 a huge success, but it was also memorable, with over 113 attendees and multiple black-owned businesses and community partners," Spencer-Lakes said in a statement. We are excited to build on that this year with more families, more fun, and more community connections!”

“We’re always looking for ways to build partnerships between the Melrose residents and the Boston residents, and this event is an exciting way to do that," Melrose METCO director Nyra Hall added.

Each year, more than 100 students from Boston attend the Melrose Public Schools through the historic METCO program. For more information, contact friendsofmelrosemetco@gmail.com.