by Jen Myers
Scissors are snipping. Clippers are buzzing. A blanket of hair covers the tiled floor. Through the doorway, fingers move quickly and rhythmically transforming straight hair into beautiful braids as women sort through hair extensions and skin care products, chatting in Spanish, Portuguese, and English.
Must be a scene from a high-end salon or a corner barbershop, right? Nope. It’s a classroom at the Greenhalge Elementary School.
After school on January 24, families came to the school to participate in the first “Braids and Fades” event. Barbers Alex Delgado and Willie Cabrera from Billy’s Barbershop on Andover St. set up a pop-up barbershop in a classroom, providing free haircuts to Greenhalge students and their siblings. Next door, teacher Shalisa Lamb and Family Liaison Abby Phillips are braiding the hair of both girls and boys looking for a new style in the new year – some opt for one or two large, heavy braids, others choose meticulously crafted small tight braids. Everyone is encouraged to shine with their own style at the Greenhalge.
Greenhalge Community Schools Manager Monica Melo Ernest and Social Worker Darcie Coleman said the idea was hatched when the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Subcommittee of their Family Engagement Committee was brainstorming ideas about what programs and services they could offer to families. They realized that many of the Greenhalge students, particularly those of color, could use some assistance in maintaining their hair styles or maybe could use a good trim and styling.
“We were really looking for ways to meet some of the unmet needs of our families,” said Coleman. “And this is really working out well.”
The Greenhalge is one of Lowell Public Schools’ eight schools that run under the Community Schools model. Community schools are places where the strengths and needs of students, families, and neighborhood are addressed through partnership. A network of local agencies bring resources, services, and programs directly to the school buildings— these services could include things like an onsite food pantry, clothing and toiletries, vision and dental, adult English classes, mental health care, family cooking classes, access to resume building and job opportunities, tutoring, mentoring programs, and much more.
What better illustration of a “community school” is there than a barbershop set up in a classroom?
“This is great and so easy,” said Cheryl Brazeau, whose son, Jayden, a 2nd grader, got a pretty cool buzz cut. “Money has been tight, my van broke down, so this has been a huge help for us.”
In addition to the braids and fades, families enjoyed pizza and were able to take home goody bags filled with culturally appropriate hair and skin care products.
When you look good, you feel good. When you feel good, you’ll do better in math class!
“We are hoping this is the first of many of these kinds of events,” said Melo, as she scrolled through her calendar and began planning to hold this event again in the Spring.
