Lt. Correale, among other duties, is tasked with instructing Malden residents — particularly students and staff in the city’s public and private schools — on how to respond to a “What If?” scenario involving an armed intruder on the grounds at a school. According to Lt. Correale, MalTHE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 7, 2025 ~ Excellence in the Malden Public Schools ~ HOMECOMING DANCE: Malden High hosts a special night for over 300 students den High’s students and staff passed the hands-on test of school safety in the recent controlled environment with high marks. “The students and staff did an excellent job,” Lt. Correale said of the drill performance at Malden High School. “They demonstrated through their response that they listened to the training instructions and followed through with the appropriate actions. “It was the best response since I have been coming here,” Lt. Correale added. The main task of the MHS staff and students during the simulated school lockdown was to respond to the announcement of the lockdown by locking the classroom doors from the inside and then blocking/barricading the doors to prevent entry. After a short time following the lockdown announcement, which was made by MHS Principal Chris Mastrangelo, small teams made up of Malden High administrators and Malden Police personnel fanned out across the high school building and began checking doors of classrooms, testing the security of the barricades. Students and staff were instructed to “shelter in place” if they were unable to flee the building safely and to turn off the lights. Then, accordSenior Class of 2026 ‘scores a touchdown’ with ‘Great Gatsby’ theme and a large turnout By Steve Freker CHECKING CLASSROOM DOOR: Malden Police Sgt. Elijah McNeal checked the door of a classroom at Malden High during a schoolwide safety drill. (Courtesy/Malden High School) ing to protocol, students and staff were instructed to move away from doors and windows, sitting on the floor or hiding in an area not visible from the hallway or outside. The teams of police and school administrators quickly checked the over 120 classrooms at MHS, with Sgt. Elijah McNeal conducting the very last such room check on the third floor of the Jenkins building. Sgt. McNeal had been paired up with Jenkins House Principal Jason Payeur. They were unable to get into the room due to the barricades established by the staff and students. Sgt. McNeal spoke briefly to the students in the Jenkins classroom, praising them for their efforts and encouraging them to be alert and vigilant — always — as they were that day. “Everyone did a very good job here today, but you all have to be ready to keep yourself and others safe every day,” Sgt. McNeal said. All the officers and administraREVIEWING THE DAY: Malden High School administrators and Malden Police personnel gathered in the lobby to review the safety drill results. tors who took part in the room checks who assembled in the MHS Main Office lobby agreed the safety drill was successful, including School Resource Officer and MPD Sgt. Rob O’Brien, who supervises the contingent of four SROs in the district. “They followed instructions and followed protocol well,” Sgt. O’Brien said of MHS students and staff, noting that these drills would continue next year and “each year after that.” “The potential danger is not going away,” Sgt. O’Brien said. “We have to be ready.” I t was a special night at Malden High School for over 300 students at this year’s Homecoming Dance, featuring music, refreshments and lots of dancing. The popular event was hosted by the MHS Class of 2026 for the second year, and attendance surpassed last year’s numbers as more than 300 students turned out on Friday, October 17. “It was a fantastic evening for all who attended,” said Malden High School educator and Class of 2026 Advisor Nancy Wentworth. “Most of the students went all out to get dressed up for this event and everyone had so much fun!” The theme was “The Great Gatsby” and many of the students followed it to a “T” with some great semiformal-style fashion on display. J.J. Scott served as the DJ and students danced to tunes both new and old, as well as the customary line dances. The MHS open air Courtyard served as a gathering spot and dance floor while refreshments were on sale in the adjacent enclosed gallery area. The Homecoming Dance is one of the largest fundraisers of the school year for the Senior Class of 2026, Wentworth said. This fall, students also stock and staff the home game concession stand at Golden Tornado football games for an additional fundraising opportunity. Traditionally, all of the respective grade level classes at Malden High School begin fundraising efforts in their sophomore (10th Grade) year and continue each year right up to the spring of their graduating year. The main goal is to reduce the price of the Senior Prom ticket for each attendee in their graduating year. “We are off to a great start [with fundraising] and events Page 13 THE BOYS CHILLIN’: Above, from left, are Blake, Nick, Diego, Davante, Devin, Jayden and Chris really enjoying themselves at the Homecoming Dance. “Girls Night” for these Malden High School students at the Homecoming Dance (All Photos Courtesy/Malden High School) like the Homecoming Dance are so much fun for the students and they really take ownership of all the details involved,” Wentworth said. “It is great experience for them in so many ways.” Malden High School Principal Chris Mastrangelo said the Homecoming Dance was revived three years ago. “We brought it back with the whole Homecoming theme, connected with the Football Team and the Cheerleaders and [the Homecoming Dance] has become a big success,” Mastrangelo said. “It has become one of our best-attended school social events. It brings all of our four classes together in an opportunity to hang out, mingle and of course, get out on the dance floor.”
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