On Friday the Celtics will kick off the 19th season of their Stay in School program. Kendrick Perkins and Marquis Daniels will host an assembly of honor students at the Mildred Avenue Middle School in Mattapan and encourage all students to take pride in their academic work.

The Celtics will visit Boston public middle schools throughout the season to motivate students and emphasize the importance of staying in school.  Top students will be honored for academic success and perfect attendance at the end of each year. The Stay in School program, presented by Arbella Insurance, is a collaboration of efforts from the Celtics, New England Sports Museum, Northeastern University Center for the Study of Sport in Society, and Boston Public Schools.