Page 12 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 10, 2020 ~ letter-to-the-Editor ~ Ward 3 Councillor Anthony DiPierro sets the record straight Dear Editor, Last week, a local newspaper published a letter to the editor from my colleague, Councillor Gerly Adrien, in regard to her questions surrounding remote learning in the Everett Public Schools. Unfortunately, it seems to be common practice for my colleague to take to local news outlets and social media to create her own narrative of meetings after the fact. In a world filled with fake news and media bias, facts matter. I would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight. On May 22nd, I presented a resolution to The City Council requesting the adoption of the “Everett School Committee’s resolution in support of increased federal support and stimulus funding for public K-12 education.” This resolution outlined the amazing work done collaboratively between the School Department and The DeMaria Administration to keep our students learning, to keep them fed, and to keep them safe. It also outlined the need for increased federal resources and funding going forward. On June 8th, Councilor Adrien presented her own resolution on the subject matter. The following is the councilor’s resolution verbatim – ‘To request the Everett Public Schools and School Committee to share information on remote learning: How many students are in the EPS System, how many students/ households have received a Chromebook, how many students have been set up on a virtual learning planning, how many have logged inconsistently and how many are considered ‘virtual dropouts,’ and include any assistance needed from City Hall that we can help with.” At the June 8th meeting, I commended my colleague’s passion on the issue, and I addressed several of her questions by pointing out that many of the answers she has been looking for were in fact in the resolution she voted in favor of at the meeting prior. I suggested that if the councilor was looking for additional information, it would be more efficient for her to take her concerns directly to the school committee, as they are an executive body. At no time did anyone claim to have any information that did not exist. It was simply a matter of procedure. We can accomplish far more by working hand-inhand with the school department, rather than publically chastising them at every turn. The school department also A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 Same Location * Same Service for 48 Years! gave updates regarding remote learning, chrome book distribution and food distribution during the Mayor’s weekly meeting with department heads and elected officials during the COVID-19 Crisis. I understand that the councilor has summer classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, but I would like to remind her that these meetings started in late March. Boston University did not offer summer courses until late May. I would also add that using the catchphrase “virtual dropout” paints a clear picture of one that cannot comprehend education in our city or the realty of our diverse, low-income student population. In a time when people should be coming together and building one another up, Councilor Adrien’s politics of division seem to be thriving. It’s a clear example of an inability to work well with others. If one is more focused on being the solution, rather than trying to be a part of the solution, one should ask what’s more important? Making unfounded accusations or getting things accomplished? Signed, Councilor Anthony DiPierro Everett residents named to Dean’s List at Fitchburg State University F ITCHBURG – Everett residents Amanda E. Byrnes, Ramsey Philippe and Kyle A. Rosa were named to the Dean’s List at Fitchburg State University for the spring semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. A student is placed on the Dean’s List for the semester if an average grade of 3.20 or better is attained and the student is attending the university full time. Chris Dan Steve We Welcome You Back & Wish You Well! * Desktop Humidors * Travel Humidors * Vapes * Juice * Cigar Accessories * Bongs * Lighters & Ash Trays * Glass Pipes * Gift Cards * Rewards Program * Juuls * CBD Infused Products Cigar of the Month! Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Magnum Box of 20 - Only $149.95 Buy your Cigars by the Box & Save! Plus our “Golfers’ Special” 15 Handmade Cigars - Churchill Size including a Cohiba! Only $43.95 STORE HOURS 8 AM - 7 PM Mon. - Sat., Sun. 8 AM - 6 PM July 2, 1930: Ten-year old William Long of Everett is placed by New York police on the steamship Boston and sent home after stowing away on that ship for a trip to New York to witness the landing of Wiley Post and Harold Getty who were finishing their record-setting round-the-world flight. July 4, 1910: Everett’s Fourth of July Parade is marred by accident when two floats carrying over 30 school children collapse. Two schoolgirls suffered broken bones. July 4, 1919: Baseball game held between Everett All-Stars and the Cuban Giants as part of WWI Victory Celebrstion. The Cuban Giants were actually the 1919 New York Cuban Stars. July 5, 1929: The summer mansion of George Sexton of Winchester, president of the Sexton Can Company of Everett, is destroyed by fire in Marblehead. July 6, 1930: Officer Henry Savage was injured when his motorcycle skidded on a wet patch on Elm Street. Officer Savage was chasing a speeder. This weekly series in The Everett Advocate is published with permission from a book written by retired Everett City Clerk Michael Matarazzo. Enjoy! Weekly Series brought to you by F.J. LaRovere Insurance Agency 492 Broadway, Everett * 617-387-9700 Check out our new website: www.larovere.com
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