YOUR LOCAL NEWS & SPORTS ONLINE. SCAN HERE! Vol. 35, No.4 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Free Every Friday Revere High Patriots girls track team sets five school records at MSTCA Relays By Dom Nicastro T he Revere High School girls track team picked up another two Greater Boston League dual meet victories, moved to 6-0 on the season and set fi ve school records the next day at the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association (MSTCA) D1 Relays. The girls defeated Chelsea in their closest battle of the season so far, 57-37. The Patriots also defeated Lynn English, 70-21, and can complete a second straight undefeated dual-meet season in their fi nal meet. GIRLS TRACK | SEE Page 16 781-286-8500 Friday, January 24, 2025 MCAS exam still measure for student scholarship and job opportunities By Barbara Taormina R evere Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Dianne Kelly explained the recent change in state law regarding the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) at this week’s School Committee meeting. “A letter will be going home shortly about how things have changed, or I should say, how they have not,” Kelly said. The Revere Teachers AssociaDistance Medley relay team, from left to right: Olivia Rupp, Gemma Stamatopoulos, Rania Hamdani and Gigi Zierten. tion joined the Massachusetts Teachers Association in the recent campaign for Ballot Question 2, which excluded MCAS exams as a graduation requirement. Teachers argued that the high stakes tests do not refl ect student achievements or performance, do not prepare students for college or the workforce and take away time spent on individualized learning and developing creativity and critical thinking skills. Dr. Dianne Kelly Supt. of Schools Kelly stressed that while MCAS is no longer a graduation requirement, it’s important to understand that MCAS has not gone away. “Students are still required, by federal law, to take state assessment tests,” said Kelly, adding that there are reasons why MCAS is important for students. MCAS | SEE Page 13 Legislature Passes Bill to Combat Substance Use Disorder Latest step to combat opioid crisis will expand treatment options and help save lives Special to Th e Advocate B OSTON — The Massachusetts Legislature on Wednesday approved legislation to combat the opioid crisis and support residents living with substance use disorder (SUD). H.5143, An Act relative to treatments and coverage for substance use disorder and recovery coach licensure, will expand non-opioid pain treatments, establish licenses for recovery coaches, and support pregnant people and their children who have been exposed to substances. It will vastly expand access to opioid-reversal drugs like naloxone. In 2023, 2,125 lives were lost as a result of an overdose, 232 fewer than in 2022, according to the Department of Public Health (DPH). Since 2023, naloxone has reversed more than 10,000 overdoses in Massachusetts. “As families across Massachusetts know all too well, the impact of opioid addiction can be utterly devastating for the individual and for their loved ones, which is why a continued focus on combating substance use is a critical responsibility that we have as elected offi cials,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Chairman Madaro for his tireless work on this legislation, as well as all my colleagues in the House and our partners in the Senate, for recognizing the need for reforms that will help those dealing with addiction on their journey to recovery.” MASS. | SEE Page 7 Jessica Ann Giannino State Representative Jeff rey Rosario Turco State Representative
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