Maldden alld a Vol. 29, No. 11 den AADD -FREEBy Steve Freker S uperintendent John Oteri this week updated the families and staff of the Malden Public Schools on the district’s response and status due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Supt. Oteri, in a letter emailed to all staff members and families throughout the district on Wednesday morning, acknowledged Governor Charlie Baker’s declaration of a state of emergency in Massachusetts and clarifying whether that move would result in any changes in operations for the Malden Public Schools. “As of now, the Governor’s declaration of a ‘state of emergency’ will not result in any immediate actions for the Malden Public Schools,” Supt. Oteri stated in the letter. Specifically, the Superintendent stressed there are no imminent plans to close the Malden schools due to COVID-19. “Our schools will remain open until further notice,” he stated in the letter to Malden families and school staff . Our 81st Year EDUCATION Next Classes DRIVER 1 Week Day Class April 20 2 Week Night Class March 16 CALL - ENROLL or Register Online 617-387-9121 HENRYSAUTOSCHOOL.COM AUTO SCHOOL E EVERETT A “Successful Key To Driving” Since 1938 Gift Certificates Available John Oteri Superintendent of Schools Supt. Oteri, on Wednesday, told The Advocate that monitoring COVID-19 and its potential impact on the Malden schools is of the highest priority. “The situation remains very fl uid,” he said. “We have continual contact with offi cials and agencies at the local, state and federal levels as we monitor the situation and take appropriate steps to ensure the health and safety of our students, families and staff .” The Malden Public Schools district is one of the largest in the greater Boston area with nearly 7,000 students in seven school buildings and close to 1,000 in Malden Schools Close Indefinitely – see page 16 CTE CAT AT www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday Malden Supt. Oteri updates public school families and staff on COVID-19 response Acknowledges Governor’s declaration and stresses schools will remain open staff . As of Wednesday evening, no cases of COVID-19 had been reported in Malden. There was an announcement on Wednesday of a person testing positive for COVID-19 next door in Medford. In the update letter, Supt. Oteri outlined the lines of communication that have been and will continue to be in eff ect, including daily contact with the city’s Board of Health and Emergency Management Team. He stated the local schools “will continue to follow the guidance put forth by city, state (Mass. Dept. of Public Health-DPH) and federal (Center for Disease Control and Prevention-CDC) health experts.” The Superintendent noted the concerns of those with students in the Malden district and staff members. “We understand that families and staff have questions regarding the Coronavirus and how it may impact the Malden School Community,” he stated. “We stress that families need to be particularly vigilant in taking some general precautions to remain as healthy as possible. OTERI | SEE PAGE 9 read of Life, a Malden-based nonprof617-387-2200 A s the novel coronavirus expands, it reaches and constricts many aspects of everyday life, so Malden’s Emergency Management Department has been planning and preparing. Police Captain Glenn Cronin, the city’s emergency management director, was at this week’s City Council meeting to explain steps the city has in place to deal with COVID-19. “In Malden, we are still in a prevention mode,” said Cronin. “If and when we have confirmed cases, we would go into a containment mode.” Cronin said the city is prepared for quarantines, isolation and even mass vaccinations. A widespread outbreak in the city would trigger Malden’s participation in the Incident Command System, a national emergency management program that integrates equipment, communications and other resources in a common organizational structure. “It’s my opinion that we won’t reach that point, but we have to be prepared in case it does,” said Cronin. Public Health Director Chris Webb, who is also a member of the city’s Emergency Management Team, was also at the City Council meeting with some numbers and news. “In Malden, we’ve had 47 casChris Webb Public Health Director es in isolation since this started,” said Webb. “Of those, 36 have completed 14 days of isolation with no symptoms and no one has progressed to the disease.” Webb said there are 10 more residents in isolation, and none have experienced any symptoms. One additional case involving a resident who was symptomatic after returning from a trip to Japan was tested for the virus. “That doesn’t feel like it will be a case, but we are erring on the side of caution,” said Webb. Webb also announced that Communications Director Ron Cochran, another member of the Emergency Management Team, will be posting alerts on the city website with pertinent information about COVID-19. REVIEW | SEE PAGE 13 Bread of Life receives $10K donation from Winchester Co-op B it food distribution organization, has been awarded a $10,000 donation from Winchester Co-operative Bank for its capital campaign to build a new facility. Founded in 1980, Bread of Life is a one of the largest providers and distributors of food to at risk families in the communities north of Boston. In 2019, Bread of Life served one million meals to hungry, homeless or isolated families and individuals. Programs provided by Bread of Life include serving free evening meals four nights per week in Malden and offering food pantry services to families residing in 10 communities: Malden, Medford, Everett, Saugus, Stoneham, Wakefi eld, Melrose, Reading, North Reading and Winchester. Bread of Life also delivers food to senior citizens E Friday, March 13, 2020 City officials: Malden is prepared to manage COVID-19 By Barbara Taormina Winchester Co-operative Bank (WCB) Vice President-Residential Lending Coley Carden, Bread of Life Capital Campaign Chair Chris Chitouras, Bread of Life Executive Director Gabriella Snyder Stelmack, WCB Vice President-Commercial Lending Laurie Leahy and Bread of Life Development Director Patty Kelly. (Courtesy Photo) in public housing and to at risk teens and homeless families sheltered in local motels. Bread of Life is currently working on an “Under One Roof Campaign” to build a new facility where all services can be provided in one building: kitchen, food pantries and a resource multiservice community hall. As part of the building project, 14 units of permanent aff ordable studio apartments for formerly homeless individuals and veterans will be built, to be owned and operated by the nonprofi t Metro North Housing Corp. The Winchester Co-operative donation will benefi t the Under One Roof Campaign. In honor of the donation, part of the landscape design will be named the Winchester Co-operative Bank Greenscape. DONATE | SEE PAGE 16
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