Page 6 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 Legislators urge Baker-Polito admin. to prioritize schools in low-income districts for vaccines & pool testing T hirty-fi ve legislators are calling for the Baker-Polito administration to prioritize schools in low-income districts for vaccines and pool testing in order to ensure the quickest return to in-person learning in communities that need it most. While remote learning has changed life for every student and family, it is evident that the consequences and negative eff ects are disproportionately felt in low-income districts. Led by Rep. Andy X. Vargas (D-Haverhill) and Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfi eld), the 35 legislators signed a letter to Governor Charlie Baker, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders and Secretary of Education James Peyser, asking for “a deliberate prioritization in the application and marketing of both pool testing and vaccine deployAUTOTECH 1989 SINCE CA$H FOR YOUR CAR! DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! Cold Hard Cash For Your Car, Truck or SUV! 2013 KIA SORRENTO 4X4 Remote Start, Third Row Seating, Premium Sound System, One Owner, Only 73K Miles, One Owner, Warranty! PRICE REDUCED! $10,500 Easy Financing Available! 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Sport Package, 4X4, Leather Interior, Loaded, One Owner, 105K Miles, Excellent Condition, Warranty! PRICE REDUCED! $10,500 781-321-8841 1236 EasternAve • Malden EddiesAutotech.com We Pay Cash For Your Vehicle! City Council President Anthony Zambuto is shown being administered the oath of offi ce by City Clerk Ashley Melnik as former City Council President Patrick Keefe looks on (left). Visconti also thanked his colleagues for their support. “I look forward to working with [Zambuto] as well as my colleagues on the council and the administration in what I expect to be another challenging year in our city,” said Visconti. “I am humbled by this, and I will work diligently and hard with this council group to move this city forward.” Outgoing City Council President Patrick Keefe congratulated Zambuto and Visconti on their new roles. “To the residents of Revere and my fellow City Council members and friends, I wanted to thank you again for allowing me to serve as president of the City Council this past year,” said Keefe. “It will be one we will all hope to forget, and like the entire world, the residents of Revere have the positives of the year…Our city government has been behind its residents since day one on recovery, treatment, support and general kindness. Neighbors from all walks of life have chipped in and helped, and I’ve never witnessed such a collaborative eff ort to serve the residents of Revere, and for that I am grateful.” Given the new reality of the Covid-19 era, the handing over the gavel was met with elbow bumps rather than handshakes. And more importantly, the control of Zoom for remote participation was transferred from Keefe to Zambuto. After a few minutes to get everything straightened out, the remainder of the council meeting went smoothly, both in the City Council Chambers and online. ment” in low-income school districts. “With vaccines for all K-12 staff on the horizon and the recent announcement of pool testing resources available, we hope the administration can prioritize low-income school districts fi rst. Several studies and evidence from our constituents have shown how challenging remote learning has been for low-income schools and families,” said Representative Vargas. “There is no question that lower income communities have been hit the hardest since the pandemic began,” said Senator Gomez. “This letter makes clear, through the support of my colleagues, that the Administration should prioritize the needs of low-income school districts for vaccines and pool testing, particularly in communities where COVID-19 cases are at their highest.” “Communities like Chelsea and Revere have been some of the hardest-hit during the COVID pandemic, and many families have made clear that rePRESIDENT | FROM Page 1 great things in partnership with the administration, with a lot of mote learning is not the preferred method of education for their children,” said RepreJESSICA ANN GIANNINO State Representative sentative Jessica Ann Giannino. “Some children in the Sixteenth Suffolk District do not have access to internet in their homes, and many parents are faced with the challenge of either going to work to provide for their family or staying home to be present with their children because they do not have anygreat communication between the administration and the City Council, so I’m looking forward to a very productive year.” one to watch their kids during what would be a normal school day – a choice no parent should be faced with having to make. Remote learning has served its purpose, but we need to work effi ciently to get our children back into the classroom in a way in which is safe for all – students, faculty and staff . I am proud that one of the fi rst letters I am signing onto as our communities’ State Representative is to ask the Baker administration to prioritize vaccine and pool testing for school districts like Chelsea and Revere to ensure our children can be back in-person as soon as possible.” The Baker-Polito administration has placed K-12 workers in Phase Two of the vaccine deployment plan, but it has not specified which K-12 schools would come fi rst. Additionally, the administration announced pool testing resources last week and funding available on a fi rst come, fi rst served basis. Legislators would like to see both offered and deployed in low-income districts fi rst. faced much adversity and struggle. It’s easy to want to move on; however, I would be remiss if I couldn’t refl ect on some of
7 Publizr Home