THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 Page 3 Path cleared for return to full-time, in-person learning By Adam Swift R evere students through grade 8 will be returning to full-time, in-person learning next month if they so choose. Meanwhile, the district is still waiting to hear from the state’s Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner on the status of a full-time return for high school students. The moves come quickly on the heels of the district’s turn to a hybrid learning model earlier this spring. “We will be welcoming back students to full-time learning in the near term, beginning with early childhood through grade 5 students,” said Superintendent Dr. Dianne Kelly. “We will start back those who want to on Monday, May 3 for a longer, more typical school day, and will also be every day instead of doing the alternating weeks. The option for those families who need it for their children to remain in full remote will still exist, but those will be the only two options. There will no lonPARISH | FROM Page 2 icant toll on us. Even with a return to these activities, which I look forward to in the near future, it will take a long time to get back to pre-pandemic interest and numbers.” Linda DeCristoforo has been Pastoral Associate for both churches for many years and has been a vital part of both staff s. Linda holds Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Emmanuel College and earned a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from the Institute for Pastoral Ministry for Religious Education with a concentration in Liturgy and Worship at Boston College. Her steady, unwavering faith and self-assuring spirituality solidifi es her inner strength that is very evident when she speaks to you. Her leadership role in faith ger be the hybrid, in one week, out the next week.” Students in grades 6 through 8 will have the same options beginning on Monday, May 10 for full-time, in-person or full remote learning. “We are still awaiting word from the [state education] commissioner on whether he is going to order high schools to come back to full in-person learning,” said Kelly. “He told us before vacation in a meeting that we had that he would be making the decision next week.” While there are some high schools in the state that have returned to full in-person learning, Kelly said, she wants to point out that there are districts in the state where the schools are able to have small class sizes allowing for social distancing. “There are diff erent parameters, as we have talked about throughout the pandemic,” she said. “Diff erent communities have different capacities based on enrollment and other factors that deformation, various parish ministries and services, and liturgy and worship are quite respected and appreciated by all parishioners. She and Fr. John are truly remarkable people with complementary personalities that certainly radiate positiveness and togetherness for both church communities. Linda expressed excitement with the new merger and off ered, “All faith formation programs, confi rmations, communions, religious education programs, all ministers (lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, etc.) together, will present new opportunities and not a real change.” Fr. John is clearly excited for both churches and the parishioners of the newly formed parish whose name is expected to be approved in the next several months. “This is good, great for the future. It will certainly help us. termine how they make their decisions.” Revere High School Principal Dr. John Perella said the school will be ready to welcome back students full time, if that is the decision that is made. “Everything is going really well at the high school, and I think we have been able to bring back students in an eff ective way,” said Perella. “Depending on what happens in the next few weeks, there is the possibility the state will ask us to return students full time, and if that happens, we’ll be ready to do it.” School Committee Member Carol Tye said she understands that the state commissioner is under pressure, but is looking forward to a fi nal decision being made about the high schools. “I hate to say anything negative about the commissioner, but everybody has been waiting for him to say something,” said Tye. “We’re all in an impossible position here, and he is, too, but I don’t know, I just hope he says something.” Now we have great hope, joy, and expectations, and can focus on families and children, and bringing everyone together in fully fi lled church soon! We have big plans. As I say we should look up and look ahead.” He emphasized, “During this pandemic we have so many volunteers to ensure protocols were kept – from temperature takers, contact tracers. People sanitizing the churches, cleaners, so many, many people who gave their time and put themselves at risk. I am humbled and grateful.” So, now is defi nitely a time to look up and look ahead as St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Revere and Our Lady of Grace Church, Chelsea/Everett await approval of their new parish name while keeping their current church names in a seamless and natural transition. www.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM Lawrence A. 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