Update: Summer, 2024
From Thomas A. Connors ’68
On June 6 and 7, 2024, members of the English High School Pathways Program Junior and Sophomore classes as part of their studies were able to observe activity at the West Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court. This followed an earlier visit to the Court in April by Seniors who were about to graduate with English High’s historic 200th graduating class (see photo below). The eight Sophomores who visited the Court on June 6 were accompanied by the Class Instructor Chris Green and by Association Board member and retired Superior Court Judge Thomas A. Connors. On June 7, they accompanied thirteen members of the Sophomore class to the Courthouse which is located in Jamaica Plain about a mile from the school.
EHS students to the West Roxbury District Court where they met with Judge Coffey (far right). Retired Judge and EHS Alumni Thomas Connors ’68 (second left) accompanied the students.
In addition to observing Court hearings, the students were addressed on both days by First Justice Kathleen Coffey who arranged to have Court personnel, prosecutors, and defense lawyers speak to the students and describe for them Court procedures and details about their respective roles and responsibilities in the judicial process. Mr. Green’s class, one of our School’s five Pathways programs, has proven to be among its most popular in successfully preparing English High students for future education and for careers in the legal and various public service fields.
English High School Today
English High: Home of the Only Boston School with a Legal & Protective Services Vocational Program
Many are surprised to learn that the English High School of Boston is the only school in the city that has a Legal and Protective Studies Vocational Program.
Chris Green, retired police officer, lawyer and noted expert in Criminal Law, Private Investigations, Firearms Handling, and Homeland Security, leads the Pathways Legal and Protective Studies program at English High School
And they are just as surprised to discover that the program, now in its sixth year, is led by Chris Green, a retired police officer, lawyer and noted expert in Criminal Law, Private Investigations, Firearms Handling, and Homeland Security.
The Legal and Protective Studies Program is part of the Career Pathways Program, one of four key pillars for which the EHSA raises funds to help students excel. The other three are Tutoring, Music & Arts, and Scholarship Assistance.
Chris says, “It’s an eye opener when I tell students that, not only am I a retired police officer, but I’m an attorney as well. I emphasize that education should be a lifelong process, using myself as an example: I went to law school at age 40.”
He notes that having strong Advisory Board members and English High alumni such as Judge Tom Connors ’68, and Migdalia Nalls ’97, has been a real plus. “Every year I have more students who are interested in being a lawyer. When they realize I’m an attorney and meet our Advisory Board members – people like Judge Tom Connors and Migdalia Nalls, they know they picked the right vocational program.”
Chris earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Steubenville, Ohio, where he majored in History, his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice through Western New England College, and his Juris Doctorate from Massachusetts School of Law.
Challenging Students Academically and Physically
The Boston Police Department SWAT and K-9 division came to English High School for a K-9 demonstration. Students were able to see the SWAT team equipment first hand followed by a Q and A session in the classroom.
Chris says the Legal and Protective Studies program prepares students to enter the workforce in the area of public safety and the legal profession by challenging them academically and physically. Students earn many certifications used in the legal field including CPR, First Aid, OSHA and 911.
Students participate in field trips with community partners and Chris invites guest speakers throughout the year to keep students focused on college and career as they graduate from English High. They provide tremendous mentorship as students navigate this chapter in their lives.
Additionally, the rigorous legal curriculum provides students with a competitive edge in a wide variety of criminal justice areas when entering college. Through this program students learn legal theory and its application in real world scenarios. Students gain insight into the philosophies and disciplines of a variety of criminal justice areas such as effective communications, crime scene processing, criminal law and procedure, disaster preparedness, ethics, law enforcement, private investigations, and trial practice.
Chris says a number of recent English High graduates are studying Criminal Justice in college, including Anderson Guerrero ’22, Brandy Rosario Cordero ’21, and Sebastian G. ’21. He also has active members in the military who are looking for careers in law enforcement including Takhi S. ’20 and Pedro B. ’20 when they complete their military service. English Alumni will soon be entering the workforce. Several currently serve in the Boston Police Department Cadet program and in Homeland Security. “What is really special,” Chris says, “is when these graduates come back to talk with my current students about the realities of college life and real-life work experiences. It reinforces the message that I give the students on a daily basis.”
In Spring, 2023 the Legal and Protective Services class visited West Roxbury District Court. With students are staff / mentors. Back row, from left, Moise L., Jason E., Chris Green, Clerk Murphy, Judge Thomas Connors ’68, Judge Coffey, Jamaal C., Kervens D., Sherysmel L., Stefani L., Anderson G., Oscarly M.
Chris credits community partnerships as the lifeblood of the program. “We are especially looking for more female mentors. This is great news as police, fire and legal departments are trying to increase female participation. Our pathway has an incredible Advisory Board. Our partners include the Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, Mass. State Police, Bunker Hill Community College, and Curry College, plus lawyers and judges in the community. Our students have the opportunity to work paid internships with our partners. These opportunities give increased insight into their chosen profession.”
Legal and Protective Studies students took a field trip to the Massachusetts State Police Headquarters in Framingham where Captain Tony Dear exposed students to the Massachusetts State Police airwing, mounted horse unit, SWAT Team, K-9 unit, motorcycle unit and dive team.
