Page 12 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 11, 2019 Massachusetts Senate unanimously passes Student Opportunity Act BOSTON – On October 3, the Massachusetts Senate voted (390) to pass the Student Opportunity Act, an unprecedented $1.5 billion new investment in Massachusetts K-12 public education. This legislation ensures public schools have adequate resources to provide high-quality education to students across the state, regardless of zip code or income level. Assuming infl ation, over time the bill could provide an estimated $2.2 billion. State Senator Jason Lewis has long advocated for adequate and equitable funding for our public schools, and as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education, led the eff orts this year to draft the Student Opportunity Act. The Student Opportunity Act signifi cantly helps school districts that serve high concentrations of low-income students. At the same time, school districts across the Commonwealth will benefi t from updates to the existing funding formula, along with increased state investment in other vital education aid programs, such as transportation, school construction and renovation and special education. “Access to a high-quality public education is a fundamental right for every child, and that’s why the Student Opportunity Act will make an unprecedented $1.5 billion investment in our public schools, ensuring that school districts across the Commonwealth have adequate and equitable resources to provide all students, especially those facing adversity, with a high-quality public education,” said Lewis. “The passage of the Student Opportunity Act today marks a bold step into the 21st century for our public schools in Massachusetts and for all future generations of students.” “With the passage of the Student Opportunity Act, the Senate is reaffi rming its commitment to the idea that providing a quality public education is not a luxury – it is both our greatest responsibility and our greatest opportunity as a state,” said Senate President Karen Spilka. “I am proud of the diligent and thoughtful work done VOTED | SEE PAGE 17 Malden’s second annual Public Safety Day a success I TIME PLACE DISTANCE ENTRY FEE 10:00AM Start n commemoration of Fire Prevention Week, the Malden Fire AWARDS T-SHIRTS and Police Departments recently held their Second Annual Public Safety Day at Linden Park and School. Fire Prevention Week is a time when all are encouraged to recognize the dangers that can occur in the places we feel the safest. This year’s theme is “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice your Escape!” The theme works to educate everyone about the actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe. Also sponsoring the event were Cataldo Ambulance, Malden Housing Authority, Malden Redevelopment Authority, Malden Board of Health, Malden DPW, Massachusetts State Police, Ward 8 Councillor Jadeane Sica, Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora, Councillor-at-Large Steve Winslow, Junior Aid Association of Malden, Malden Firefi ghters Local 902, Girl Scouts, Piantedosi Baking Co., Chelsea Police Department, Town Line Ten Pin, Hot Dog Joe, Maxima Auto Sales and Stop & Shop. Families and residents came out in large numbers to the free event for fun and interactive ways to learn more about safety. The “touch a truck” events were a great success, and children enjoyed learning about and climbing on fi re engines and ladders, police cars, an ambulance and DPW trucks. The State Police held an arson dog demonstration to standing-room-only crowds. Children also enjoyed an obstacle course and smoke house demonstrations as well as safety-themed bounce houses, pumpkin decorating, crafts, face painting and games. A DJ kept everyone moving, and guests enjoyed pizza, hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream and received goody bags, safety literature and small trees to plant. Fire Prevention Week is observed every October in remembrance of the Great Chicago Fire that began on October 8, 1871, and killed more than 250 people, along with destroying more than 17,400 structures across 2,000 acres. In 1911, 40 years after the fi re, the Fire Marshals Association determined that the anniversary of this fi re should be observed annually to generate awareness about fi re prevention.
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