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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 24, 2020 Page 7 Mass. Legislature passes bill to help vulnerable residents, support schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic Provisions address homelessness, MCAS testing requirements, MBTA B OSTON – On April 9, Representative Paul Donato (Medford, Malden) along with his colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature passed a bill that supports those experiencing homelessness and provides testing and budgetary flexibility to school districts. On April 10, Governor Charlie Baker signed the bill into law. “The wide-ranging effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on our schools and communities demand action, and the Legislature took steps to help those most in need and provide flexibility to our schools so that they may operate effectively during this public health crisis,” said House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “By providing emergency funding for the homeless, we are protecting those most at risk. I appreciate the leadership of Senate President Spilka as well as the work of Chairs Michlewitz and Peisch in moving these critical provisions forward.” “Once again, I am proud of the work done by the Massachusetts House of Representatives as we continue to deal with the effects of this pandemic,” said Representative Donato. “This relief package is the combined efforts of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Education Committee to provide emergency assistance.” “This legislation provides much-needed relief to school districts as they face this unprecedented emergency,” said Representative Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley), who is Co-Chairperson of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education. “The bill waives the MCAS requirement while giving the Commissioner and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education the flexibility to modify or waive the competency determination, and requires the Commissioner to delay the due date for the improvement plans required under the Student Opportunity Act. These provisions will allow districts to focus on what is most important – students’ health, safety and continued learning. I’d like to thank Speaker DeLeo and Chairman Michlewitz for their leadership, and the members of the Education Committee for their hard work and support.” This bill, known as An Act to further address challenges faced by municipalities, school districts and state authorities resulting from COVID-19, includes the following components: Student requirements and district operations: To address disruptions caused by the closure of K-12 schools due to COVID-19, the legislation waives the MCAS requirements for the 2019-2020 academic year and allows the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to modify or waive competency determination requirements related to high school graduation. In order to comply with measures under the newly implemented Student Opportunity Act, the legislation requires the DESE Commissioner to extend the deadlines for school districts to submit their three-year plans to address educational disparities in student subgroups. This deadline shall be extended to May 15, 2020, or later, as determined by the Commissioner. The legislation also provides budgetary flexibility for regional schools. Helping vulnerable populations: In keeping with the Legislature’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, the legislation repurposes existing homelessness funds that currently support services that can’t be provided due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The legislation redirects funding to address immediate and critical homelessness needs resulting from the public health emergency. MBTA budget flexibility: The legislation gives the MBTA additional budgetary flexibility amid the COVID-19 emergency. By Virginia Ruane W ell, I just celebrated my second anniversary. I have been a resident at my humble abode, which is Forestdale Park, for two years as of March 29, 2020, and I made a very good choice. As you know, it is an Assisted Living place in Malden, and it is just what I was looking for. I can come and go as I please, even though I do not “come and go” very often anymore. I no longer have the desire to have any dinner get-togethers; however, I love the company of the new friends I A Recipe for Happiness have made here. Some of my old friends are gone, so I have made new friends at Forestdale Park. They were looking for new friends as I was. Their old stories are as interesting to me as my old stories are to them. Thank God for all the memories I have. It has worked out beautifully! This year I will celebrate my 95th birthday with my old friends and new friends. I have a poem that I think is timely for the occasion, “A Sure Way to a Happy Day” written by Helen Steiner Rice. It was given to me by one of my friends at Forestdale Park. She thought I might use it in one of my articles. Helen Steiner Rice wrote many inspirational poems. Some of her verses were inspired by the death of her father during the influenza epidemic of 1918, which is so relevant to our situation today. Here is an inkling of some of her inspiring words: “Happiness is something we create in our mind, / It’s not something you search for and so seldom find / It’s just waking up and beginning the day / By counting our blessings and kneeling to pray.” The poem has such meaning. I believe that the author, since her father died in a pandemic, probably had the same feelings and emotions that we are experiencing today. I imagine she had many difficult days during that time, just as we are experiencing difficult days during this COVID-19 pandemic. The staff here is doing everything they can to make life pleasant. (And they are truly wonderful.) I hope that positive thinking, the love and support of others and our prayers, will get us through these horrible days. It is, however, up to us to remain positive and, as the poem says, create our own happiness. Please enjoy the spring time and please keep well. Virginia Ruane is a lifelong Malden resident. Please send comment or suggestions to virginiaruane@aol.com. Thank you to all the first responders, healthcare workers, and all other essential workers who are working hard to keep our community safe and healthy. RIGHT BY YOU 419 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 • 617-387-1110 771 Salem St, Lynnfield, MA 01940 • 781-776-4444 www.everettbank.com Member FDIC Member DIF

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