Page 12 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 23, 2020 Linden School and Malden Catholic HS close schools and switch to all-remote learning this week By Th e Advocate T wo Malden schools halted their in-person learning and closed their buildings this week amid the COVID-19 pandemic, at least one of the closings due to staff members testing positive for the virus. Malden Public Health Director Chris Webb told the Malden City Council Tuesday night that the Malden Public Schools closed the Linden STEAM Academy as of last Friday afternoon when it was learned three staff members had tested positive for COVID-19. Malden Catholic High School also halted its hybrid in-person learning model and closed its building this week, from Monday-through-Friday, with the announcement it also intended on reopening the building on Monday, October 26. There was no public announcement on what precipitated the Malden Catholic closing and switch to remote learning. In a document addressed to parents on the school website, Malden Catholic Headmaster John Thornburg stated, “Due to the infl uence of events Malden Catholic High School closed its building and halted its in-person learning this week, with plans to reopen on Monday. outside our school, we moved to our Red Phase to exercise extra caution to ensure the wellbeing of our community.” The Red Phase, according to Malden Catholic’s school protocols, is all-remote learning and the building closed to students. Webb said Tuesday that his department’s contact tracing operation is working with Linden STEAM Academy staff members and students who were in attendance last week, and intended on seeing they were all tested for COVID-19 between yesterday and today, Friday. He added that school offi - cials have indicated there is no timeline for a return to in-person learning at the Linden STEAM Academy, though it would be a minimum of two weeks before such a decision would be made. “The health and safety of our staff and students remains our top priority and we will keep you informed with additional information as soon as it becomes available,” Malden Superintendent of Schools John Oteri stated, in announcing the closing Linden STEAM Academy closed its building and is undergoing contact tracing and COVID-19 testing after staff members tested positive for the virus. and the circumstances in a letter to Malden parents released over this past weekend, a copy of which was obtained by the Advocate. Supt. Oteri, in his letter, indicated a staff member testing positive and that the staff member self-reported and stayed home, in accordance with established Malden Public Schools protocol. The Linden School closing came just three days after Malden Public Schools’ initial return to the school buildings of its highest needs students, primarily those intellectually and physically challenged. Districtwide, approximately 200 students returned to in-person learning, with the buildings open to students and staff . At the Linden School, 22 students and about two dozen staff members had returned in-person on October 13. Malden Catholic has been in the Yellow Phase hybrid learning model (some days in-person, some days remote) since school opened on September 9. Plenty of Halloween happenings planned in Malden this weekend Socially-distanced “Pumpkin Patches” planned in Wards 1, 5 and 8 By Steve Freker P umpkins, pumpkins, everywhere you look...more pumpkins! It’s going to get downright spooky around Malden this weekend as kids and families get a head start on the Halloween season. Pumpkins will be aplenty on Saturday – children and families will be able to have some socially-distanced Halloween fun in “Pumpkin Patches” around town. Halloween costumes are encouraged and free pumpkins and candy to take home will be available! Here’s a rundown on where and when the “Pumpkin Patches” are planned. All of these events are being sponsored and hosted by City Councillors in the respective wards and are free to all who attend. All three are being held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. By guidance of the City of Malden and the Malden Board of Health, all attending the following events are directed to wear a face covering and also to maintain social distancing, at least six feet from other families at all times. Families are asked to also have some hand sanitizer with them to use when appropriate. “PUMPKIN PATCH” for Ward 1, Ferryway Park, 150 Cross St. – Ward 1 Councillor Peg Crowe is hosting a “Pumpkin Patch” at Ferryway Park, located next to the Ferryway K-8 School, from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, October 24. Some 400 pumpkins will be spread out across the park as part of the celebration, and candy will be available for distribution as well. Everyone can take home a pumpkin and candy, and photos will be taken. Costumes are welcome and encouraged! “PUMPKIN PATCH” for Ward 5, Forestdale Park, 74 Sylvan St. – Ward 1 Councillor Peg Crowe and Ward 5 School Committee Member Adam Weldai are hosting a “Pumpkin Patch” at Forestdale Park, located next to the Forestdale K-8 School, from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, October 24. About four hundred pumpkins will be spread out across the park as part of the celebration, and candy will be available for distribution as well. Everyone can take home a pumpkin and candy, and photos will be taken of those who attend. Costumes are welcome and encouraged! “PUMPKIN PATCH” for Ward 8, Linden STEAM Academy parking lot, 29 Wescott St. – this is a drive-through event! All participants will remain in their vehicles, where they will receive their gifts. Ward 8 Councillor and Council President Jadeane Sica is hosting a “Pumpkin Patch” at the Linden STEAM school parking lot, located next to the school, from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, October 24. About four hundred pumpkins and bags of candy will be available for all who attend. Everyone can take home a pumpkin and candy. Costumes are welcome and encouraged! **** Highrock Malden Church plans cleanup at Ferryway Park on Saturday Also happening this weekend is a Ferryway Park volunteer cleanup from 10:00 a.m. to noon organized by the members of the Highrock Malden Church. Ferryway Park is located next to the Ferryway School (150 Cross St., Malden). Malden Councillor-at-Large Steve Winslow said the church invites all who would like to help to arrive before cleanup starts. Gloves, masks and bags will be available and social distancing will be observed.
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