Revere Weighs Shift from Lottery to Neighborhood Model for Middle School Placement Special to The Advocate S uperintendent Dr. Dianne Kelly, Revere Public Schools officials, School Committee members, and Mayor Patrick Keefe gathered with families, caregivers, students, and staff on Tuesday evening to solicit community feedback on a potential overhaul of how students are assigned to the city’s three middle schools — Rumney Marsh Academy, Garfield Middle School, and Susan B. Anthony Middle School. The meeting focused on whether the district should transition away from its longstanding, lottery-based placement system and adopt a neighborhood middle school model, beginning as early as the next school year. School leaders emphasized that no final decision has been made and that parent City Council to hold hearing on $37M bond for McKinley School renovation By Barbara Taormina T City Planner Tom Skwierawski, who worked with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), presented three neighborhoodbased middle school scenarios developed over several months of analysis. (Courtesy photo) input will play a key role before a vote expected later this winter at the February 10th School Committee meeting. Mayor Keefe opened the evening by welcoming families. He described the discussion as one that has been ongoing in Revere for nearly two decades and MIDDLE SCHOOL | SEE Page 6 Advocate Staff Report he Rossetti-Cowan Senior Center Knitting and Crocheting Group is a dedicated circle of women who gather every Thursday from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. to share their love of crafting, exchange stories about family and current events and enjoy each other’s company. What makes this group truly special, however, is how they use their talents to give back to the community. With needles and hooks in hand, these women generously create handmade items for anyone in need—from elementary schoolchildren to friends and neighbors at the Revere Senior Center. Shown here with one of their most recent projects, the group proudly displays knitted and crocheted Christmas stockings made especially for Revere’s veterans. Each stocking was crafted with care, compassion and a genuine desire to brighten someone’s day, bringing joy to both the giver and the recipient. Over the years, the group has completed countless meaningful projects that have touched many lives throughout the community. These include scarves for Senior Center fundraisers and for the Senior Singers during holiday performances, Christmas stockings TALENT | SEE Page 3 he City Council will hold a public hearing on a $37 million bond authorization for the renovation of the McKinley School at their next meeting on Jan. 26. McKinley School, which has been closed since 2014, will be redesigned into an early childhood education center, the Metro North Regional Emergency Communication Center, which will serve Revere, Chelsea and Winthrop, and city office space. The early Childhood Education Center will serve 100 children, have four classrooms on the first and second floors and have indoor and outdoor playgrounds as well as a thirdfloor space for activities. City Chief Financial Officer Richard Viscay explained that the authorization is needed to execute the construction contract. Work on the renovation project is expected to begin this winter and be completed by 2027. “The $37 million is the gross amount,” Viscay told the council. “We anticipate $20 million back from the state’s 911 Department’s grant program.” The state has been encouraging mergers of 911 call centers to promote efficiency. Call volume and populations served are key factors in deciding on regionalization, but cost savings, fundCITY COUNCIL | SEE Page 4 Knitting with purpose: talents and gifts that keep on giving T The Rossetti-Cowan Senior Center Knitting/Crocheting Group—pictured with some of their most recent projects, from left, are Paula Roberts, Leticia Gasca, Janey Murphy, Tina Notaro and Sandi Lozier. With talent, goodwill and a shared passion for helping others, these remarkable women turn simple stitches into lasting impact.
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