Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 12, 2025 SCHOOL COMMITTEE ROUNDUP: Malden students will now have use of ‘all-terrain’ wheelchair to enhance access on field trips School Committee endorses ‘Zonta Says No’ against domestic violence By Steve Freker T he legacy of one of America’s most beloved heroes touched Malden Monday night. Someday, a Malden student might even feel like “Superman” for a day because of it. The Malden School Committee unanimously approved the acceptance of a donation of an “all-terrain” wheelchair from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s “Outdoors for Everyone” program. The vote was taken at Monday night’s regular monthly meeting. Maria Luise, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) liaison to the Malden Disability Commission, appeared before the Malden School Committee Monday night and presented information about the new addition to the City of Malden’s accessible transportation ”stable.” ”This will help our students to have access to more spaces when they are outdoors on field trips and other events,” Luise said. Malden Disability Commission Chairperson Amanda Belles appeared virtually at Monday’s meeting and thanked the Reeve Foundation for their generous contribution of the all-terrain ZONTA SAYS “NO” to domestic violence. Members of the Malden School Committee, including Malden Mayor and Chairperson Gary Christenson (center) and Vice Chairperson Jennifer Spadafora (third from left) and Superintendent of Schools Timothy Sippel, Ed.L.D. joined with members of Zonta of Malden, including Special Assistant to the Mayor Maria Luise (fourth from left), Malden Zonta Vice President and Ward 5 Councillor Ari Taylor (at left) and Zonta President and Ward 8 School Committee Member Sharyn Rose-Zeiberg (sixth from left). (Courtesy/Malden Public Schools Photo) Addressing the Malden School Committee at Monday night’s meeting, pictured from left to right: Zonta of Malden Vice President/Ward 5 Councillor Ari Taylor and Z Club President Emily Taylor. (Courtesy/Malden Public Schools Photo) wheelchair — designed for children — an impressive piece of equipment valued at close to $5,000. Malden School Committee Christopher Reeve was the one of the best-known and most beloved actors all-time for his portrayal of Superman in four acclaimed films. (Courtesy Photo) Vice Chairperson Jennifer Spadafora sponsored the donation acknowledgment on the School Committee agenda and said the plan was for the wheelchair to be available to all Malden residents and it could be “signed out” for use. “[Recreation Coordinator] Joe Levine has a lot of programming year-round in the community and our residents could make use of it on many occasions,” Vice Chair Spadafora (Ward 3) said. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation donates millions annually, with over $3.3 million in “Quality of Life” grants awarded recently (funding accessible playgrounds, support groups) and significant funds invested in paralysis research, totaling over $3 million in 2024 alone, showing a strong commitment to supporting the paralysis community through both direct aid and scientific advancement. Christopher Reeve remains the actor who is beloved and best-known for his portrayal of the action hero Superman in four memorable movies: “Superman” (1978), “SILENT WITNESSES”: Domestic violence victims display at Malden City Hall. (Advocate Photo) ALL-TERRAIN: Malden kids will be able to do more outdoors after the donation of an allterrain wheelchair to the city by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. (Courtesy/Reeve Foundation) “Superman II” (1980), “Superman III” (1983) and “Superman SCHOOL | SEE PAGE 16
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