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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 24, 2024 Page 13 Emmanuel Baptist Church Women’s Brunch O n May 17, Emmanuel Baptist Church hosted a Women’s Brunch in Malden, Mass., with Guest Speaker Rev. Dr. Vivian Stephens-Hicks, Pastor of Beyond Boundaries Christian Ministries, discussing the confl uence of spirituality and physical health for holistic wellness. In addition, Dr. Stephens-Hicks provided benefi cial strategies for self-care and mental health awareness – www.awellnessconversation.com Rev. Dr. Vivian StephensHicks, Pastor of Beyond Boundaries Christian Ministries Friends of the Fells advocates for Fells-friendly upgrades to redevelopment proposal at Stoneham Hospital site “T he Residences at Spot Pond,” a proposal by the Gutierrez Company to demolish the former site of the Boston Regional Medical Center and build a 378-unit apartment complex, is nearing approval; the Stoneham Board of Appeals is expected to wrap up hearings and issue a determination soon. As the site is surrounded on three sides by the Middlesex Fells Reservation, redevelopment efforts have faced public scrutiny for many years, with concerns raised mostly about traffi c and potential impacts to the adjacent forest. Proposed under the state’s Guest Speaker Rev. Dr. Vivian Stephens-Hicks addresses attendees. (Courtesy of Emmanuel Baptist Church) 40B regional planning law, the project enjoys a streamlined planning process. Nevertheless, Friends of the Fells has been a vocal, persistent presence during this latest redevelopment push, sharing recommendations with the developer and the Town and defending the values of the Fells at every opportunity in public hearings over the past four months. “We urge the Board of Appeals and the developer to give serious consideration to our set of conditions for approval that would protect the Middlesex Fells Reservation,” said Friends of the Fells Executive Director Chris Redfern. Friends of the Fells has recommended permit conditions to make the project more Fells-friendly, including requiring the developer to pay for a new trailhead and roadway changes to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety; add a trailhead parking lot to their site plan; prohibit the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides during demolition, construction and operation of the site; and use responsibly-sourced native plants in landscaping. “We support the addition of more affordable housing in Stoneham,” Redfern said. “However, we believe the project should be improved to take into consideration the site as an ‘inholding’ of the Fells, and include modifi cations to safeguard the adjacent natural resources of the Fells and provide new amenities to allow the public to sustainably enjoy and care for the forest.” Friends of the Fells also asked the developer to make a direct contribution of at least $200,000 to the Middlesex Reservation Fund, which was established by the state legislature to support ongoing maintenance of the Fells. “This housing proposal is anticipated to be the fi nal redevelopment project by the Gutierrez Company at this site,” said Redfern. “Considering the signifi cant nature opportunities the Fells provides to both new and existing residents, we believe the owner should make a meaningful investment in the sustainability of the Fells upon ~ Guest Commentary ~ End test and punish approach to education in Massachusetts By Jessica Gold Boots E very educator knows that the high-stakes nature of the MCAS means a signifi cant amount of learning time is eaten up by test prep, limiting our exploration of diverse subjects and impeding our ability to provide a well-rounded education. A colleague added up testing days for all required assessments and realized that almost a quarter of our days are spent testing students. Instead of fostering a love for learning, educators like me fi nd themselves trapped in a cycle of never-ending test preparation, sacrifi cing opportunities to delve into critical thinking, creativity and genuine understanding of the material. Malden educators and parents know that education should be about opening doors to opportunity, not slamming them shut. And that’s exactly why we’re raising concerns about the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) graduation requirement. The current system has denied high school diplomas to thousands of students, disproportionately impacting students with disabilities, English language learners, low-income students and students of color. Students without high school diplomas are at a severe disadvantage when pursuing career training, jobs and higher education. The Commonwealth remains one of only 9 states still enforcing the high-stakes testing graduation requirements, despite widespread recognition of its ineff ectiveness and inequity. That’s why families and educators are spearheading the charge for change. In public hearings in front of the Malden School Committee, educators raised concerns that the MCAS graduation requirement reduces students to mere test scores, overshadowing their unique talents and potential. Additionally, educators of English learners like myself know that academic English takes 5-7 years to master. The Thrive Act would instead require students to demonstrate they have met the state’s high standards through all of their coursework and exams. It is not a departure from accountability but a shift towards a more comprehensive evaluation of student achievement. By replacing the MCAS graduation requirement with a more accurate statewide measure grounded in our high-quality curriculum, we aim to create a common educational environment in which every student can demonstrate mastery and reach their full potential. The detrimental effects of this testing regime extend beyond our students to the very fabric of our education system. The Thrive Act seeks to rectify this by putting students, communities and real learning at the forefront. Students are multidimensional individuals with diverse talents and strengths that a single, highstakes test cannot accurately measure. It’s heartening to see the Malden City School Committee advocating for a shift towards high-quality education. Now, it’s imperative for those on Beacon Hill to follow suit by passing the Thrive Act and dismantling the barriers imposed by the MCAS graduation requirement. Jessica Gold Boots is a teacher at Malden High School and serves as Vice President of the Malden Education Association. completion of the project.” “As co-chair of the Middlesex Fells Caucus, I strongly support the Friends of the Fells’ permit condition request that the Gutierrez Company make a $200,000 contribution to the Middlesex Fells Reservation Fund,” said State Representative Paul Donato (D-Medford). “The Middlesex Fells Reservation Fund was originally implemented by the legislature to support and provide funds for the general upkeep of the Fells. While the planned development will be crucial in providing aff ordable housing options for residents, the permit condition request set by the Friends of the Fells will be integral in providing critical funds towards the maintenance and preservation of the Middlesex Fells for years into the future.” Public hearings continue with meetings scheduled for May 21 and May 29 (located at Stoneham Town Hall at 35 Central St.). Details of the project can be found at https://www.stoneham-ma.gov/270/Board-of-Appeals. Friends of the Middlesex Fells is a dynamic and growing nonprofi t organization working in partnership with the Department of Conservation & Recreation to promote the conservation, appreciation and sustainable enjoyment of the Middlesex Fells Reservation – www. fells.org

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