THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 31, 2020 Page 15 Senators unanimously approve commission to revise state’s seal and motto O n July 28 the State Senate unanimously passed legislation to establish a commission to study and redesign the Massachusetts state seal and motto in order to make it more inclusive and historically representational. The legislation, Resolve providing for the creation of a special commission relative to the seal and motto of the Commonwealth, mandates the creation of a commission to study and revise or replace the state seal and motto. The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Many people, particularly members of Native American communities, find the state seal off ensive and unwittingly harmful, and others feel it perpetuates a misunderstanding of indigenous culture and history. The seal, which was adopted in 1898, prominently features a Native American fi gure. Historical records show that fi gure is a composite based on a portrait of a Native American chief from the Chippewa (Ojibwa) tribe – which is primarily located in the Midwest, not Massachusetts. Above his head is an arm holding a colonial-era broadsword believed to be the sword of Myles Standish, a Plymouth Colony military commander known in part for killing Native Americans. The Native American holds a downward pointed arrow that has been interpreted as signifying the pacifi cation of the native population. The state motto is, in Latin, Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.) The state seal and motto are featured on the Massachusetts fl ag and other offi cial insignia. “COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter demonstrate that the social issues of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are entwined as the collective challenge to social structures solidifies,” said North American Indian Center of Boston President Jean-Luc Pierite, who is a member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. He added, “Today’s vote in the Massachusetts Senate affi rms that we can reconcile the identity of social systems while advocating and establishing needed change.” “This bill provides a chance to begin a conversation about our history and reimagine what a truly inclusive state seal and motto can look like,” said Senate President Karen Spilka. “The Senate will never waver on its commitment to making our Commonwealth welcoming for all, and so I am proud to see this proposal for a commission to study our seal and motto move forward. I would like to extend my gratitude to the many advocates who have continued to raise this issue and to Senators Lewis and Comerford for their work and collaboration on this issue.” “Our collective symbols of identity matter, and if they marginalize some of our fellow residents and perpetuate harmful stereotypes, they should be replaced,” said State Senator Jason Lewis, who is chairperson of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education and lead sponsor of the Resolve. “I want ~Birth Announcement~ T heresa and Dennis Ippolito of Malden are pleased to announce the birth of their granddaughter Rhece Mary Louise McNulty. She was born at 7:15 p.m. on July 24 weighing seven pounds 15 ounces. Her parents are William and Allyson McNulty of Norway, Maine. to thank former Representative Byron Rushing, former Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Aff airs John ‘Slow Turtle’ Peters, and many other Native advocates and allies for championing this legislation for many years.” Indigenous activists in Massachusetts have advocated for decades for a change to the Massachusetts seal, which is viewed by many as racist and overgeneralizing. The original version of this bill was fi led in 1985 by former State Representative Byron Rushing, a prominent Boston civil rights leader, and has been fi led in some form in every session of the Massachusetts Legislature since then. Under the bill, the commission will include: • Five members appointed by the Commission on Indian Aff airs who are descendants of tribes with a historical presence in the Commonwealth • Four members appointed by the governor who have relevant cultural and historical expertise COMMISSION | SEE PAGE 18 SCHOOLS | FROM PAGE 12 • Service providers are special education teachers and related service providers • Special education services constitute more than 75% of the student’s school day • Students who cannot engage in remote learning due to their disability-related needs • Students who primarily use aided and augmentative communication • Students who are homeless • Students in foster care or congregate care • Students whose parents/ caregivers report that they do not have access to a suitable learning space at home • Students who are dually identifi ed as English Learners, SEI Level I [Note: Students meeting the criteria above may opt-out to either the hybrid or remote learning models with parent/guardian approval.] According to the report, “Each in-person classroom will accommodate up to 14 students with desks facing forward six feet apart. If tables are utilized in a classroom, students are to sit at opposite ends and the tables are to be six feet apart from one another. At the elementary level, students will stay in “classroom bubbles” throughout the day, and teachers will rotate to the students for exploratory off erings. At the high school, transitions will be limited to the extent possible and supported with unidirectional travel and the staggering release of students into the hallway.” The school day length would be similar across the district, all grades, from 7:45 a.m.-2:20 p.m. in grades below high school, from Monday through Thursday. Below high school, there would be a halfday, 7:45-11:00 a.m. on Fridays. The entire draft plan is available for review on the Malden Public Schools website: www. maldenps.org. Community Listening sessions held: Final one is today In addition to the successful citywide survey, Supt. Oteri this week hosted citywide “Community Listening times” where parents from around the district could join a virtual Zoom meeting and express concerns, ask questions and give other feedback regarding the reentry to school this fall. Tuesday night’s session featured a lively and positive session where parents expressed some relief that there was so much information made available well in advance of the school start. A second session was held Thursday night and the third and fi nal Community Listening Session was planned for today, Friday, July 31, from noon-1:30 p.m. Information on the links to participate is at www.maldenps.org. ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...Lovely expanded Cape Cod style home offers 8 rms., 5 bdrms., 1.5 baths, 5 yr. old trex front steps & porch, enter into open concept dining rm./family rm. and eat-in kit. w/ sliders to deck overlooking oversize fabulous yrd., 2 bdrms., full bath & living rm. round out the 1st flr. Second flr. offers 3 good size bdrms. & half bath, basement has high ceilings and walk-out to back yrd. Extra storage rm., newer siding and electric box, updated windows, hrdwd. flooring, close to schools, shopping and public transportation. Come take a look, you won’t be disappointed! Offered at $489,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS BUYER1 Wright, Alexandra L Han, Shangxuan Odell, Kaylin A Li, Tingyu Centeno, Ligia L Tran, Tommy H BUYER2 Jack, Dillon M Odell, Dakota L Liu, Zhiyuan SELLER1 Lee Malden RT Yu, Eileen Lan, Quin Wang, Tiancheng Falls, Tracy Hu, Zheng SELLER2 Cao, Xuhai View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com Copyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www.thewarrengroup.com. ADDRESS Gallitto, Stephanie M 52 Grimshaw St Yu, Vincent Lu, Weiliang Liu, Xiaoxi 426 Pleasant St #3 12 Beltran Ter 46 Crestview Dr #46 67 Regent Rd 30 Franklin St #420 CITY Malden Malden Malden Malden Malden Malden DATE 10.07.2020 10.07.2020 08.07.2020 08.07.2020 07.07.2020 06.07.2020 PRICE $555 000,00 $360 000,00 $600 000,00 $420 000,00 $385 000,00 $460 000,00
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