MASK UP AND STAY SAFE ALL SUMMER! Vol.29, No.30 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Free Every Friday School Committee approves Equity Advisory Board on split vote By Th e Advocate O n Tuesday night the Revere School Committee approved Member Anthony D’Ambrosio’s motion to create a districtwide Equity Advisory Board. The Board, to be comprised of educators, parents, students and other community members, will devise policy solutions to address systemic inequities that have impacted traditionally marginalized students in Revere Public Schools. This appears to be the fi rst time that an equity advisory board has been used by a school committee not only in Revere, but also in the local region. D’Ambrosio said, “Change is often a diffi cult thing to eff ectuate. There are always reasons not to change. That is the insidious nature of systemic inequity, and that is why we must keep the faith and do what is right.” The motion was approved 4-3, but only after signifi cant debate among the members of the School Committee. Speaking in opposition to the Equity Advisory Board was School Committee Member Stacey Rizzo, who questioned whether the Revere Public Schools is the right place for such a board and wondered if it “should be out of City Hall or out of the Mayor’s Offi ce.” Riz781-286-8500 Friday, July 24, 2020 Revere Beach Partnership launches Ambassador Program BEACH SAFETY: Pictured from left to right, are; The HYM Investment Group Site Activation Manager Jessica Feroli, Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky, Revere Beach Partnership President Jeff Turco, Save The Harbor/Save The Bay Executive Director Chris Mancini, Mae Mancini, 7, and Mayor Brian Arrigo by the newly installed sanitization stations. They are equipped with a scannable QR code that will direct people to a webpage that contains safe use guidelines for the beach. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) Special to Th e Advocate T ANTHONY D’AMBROSIO School Committee Member zo ultimately voted against the motion. D’Ambrosio was grateful to $1.59 GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 Mayor Brian Arrigo and School Committee Members Carol Tye and Susan Gravellese for their support. Referencing the Equity Advisory Board, Tye remarked that “This is the beginning of something that is huge,” and expressed her desire that the composition of the Board refl ect the demographics of Revere. Gravellese also noted that it had “been COMMITTEE | SEE PAGE 9 he Revere Beach Partnership (RBP) as well as its partners the City of Revere and the state Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) announced the launch of RBP’s newest initiative, the Ambassador Program. This program is designed to assist in the effort of allowing beachgoers the ability to enjoy the beach safely and healthily. The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching implications and has aff ected every facet of life, most noticeably personal recreation. As recreation facilities and public beaches are fl ourishing across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, patrons must use these areas in a safe manner in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. RBP along with its partners developed the Ambassador Program to promote and ensure the continued safe use of Revere Beach during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Revere Beach Partnership is committed to showcasing America’s First Public Beach,” said RBP President Jeffrey Turco. “We are pleased to announce the Ambassador Program which will put considerAMBASSADOR | SEE PAGE 12 Parents prefer returning to school in the fall, students opt for a hybrid model By Tara Vocino A fter welcoming new hires – Rumney Marsh Academy Principal Heather Bobb and SeaCoast High School Principal Stacey Mulligan – Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly shared the reopening survey results during Tuesday’s four-hour School Committee meeting over Zoom. “Although this a fluid sitIncoming SeaCoast High School Principal Stacey Mulligan hopes to make it a welcoming experience for all families, especially since her children are dyslexic and have Attention Defi cit Hyperactivity Disorder. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) uation and situations may change, 83 percent of parents said they anticipate sending their children back to school in the fall,” Kelly said. “However, approximately 2,300 students prefer either a hybrid situation or in-person gatherings.” Approximately 41 percent of students answered the survey, making that 3,221 students. According to Kelly, 1,145 students don’t prefer online learning, although 97 percent of families reported that they have Internet access at home. In the survey, 33 percent of parents are pleased with their students’ progress in remote learning; 17 percent aren’t pleased; and 50 percent are somewhat pleased. Approximately 63 percent of parents would be comfortable with early release (around 1 p.m.), the survey indicates. A staff survey had 903 reSCHOOL | SEE PAGE 13
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