THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 Page 11 Assistant School Supt. offers update on Covid efforts By Adam Swift S chool and city personnel worked hand-in-hand to provide leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Richard Gallucci. At Tuesday’s School Committee meeting, Gallucci gave a brief overview of the public health and medical eff orts the schools have made in conjunction with the City of Revere over the past 18 months. Board of Health Chair Dr. Nathalee Kong and city Public Health Director Lauren Buck earned special praise from Gallucci on the city side, and the Revere school nurses were noted for their tireless eff orts during the pandemic. “Every single Revere Public Schools employee inside and outside of our schools had such a contribution to keeping us afl oat this year, and were really doing some great things in the midst of something we’ve never seen before as a school community, or a community in general,” said Gallucci. From the earliest days of the pandemic, Gallucci said, the Stop the Spread testing events at Revere High School were a model for the community and the region. He also noted that the early vaccine clinics hosted for fi rst responders in the schools were a model for future teacher and student vaccination eff orts in the city. “We’ve vaccinated over 200 students during school hours within the school day, gaining permission from their parents, guardians or caretakers,” said Gallucci. In addition, the schools have undertaken an eff ective pooled testing program that has helped to keep Covid-19 numbers down, with 1,200 of the 5,000 in-person students in the schools participating. The results of the tests are typically available the same day, with seven instances of positive results during the testing regime, Gallucci said. The pooled testing will continue on Mondays for students taking part in the summer school program, he said. “The school nurses – I can’t say enough about their work this year; it’s been amazing in every single, solitary way,” said Gallucci. “They have contact traced in the spring and summer of 2020; they’ve coordinated food and other necessary supports for those in need; and, of course, they provided Covid education [for students and families]. They continue to serve as a resource to staff , students, and family for any Covid-related questions or support.” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly had kind words for the eff orts all staff have taken during the pandemic. “Part of the reason we’ve only had seven cases is because all the School Department staff have been so vigilant about making sure everybody is following the safety protocols,” said Kelly. “As we sit here in a room tonight all masked, because despite changes to guidance at the state level, there are different requirements within the schools, and one of them is that all adults and children in all school buildings be masked at all time. With the nurses’ leadership, they have been able to guide all adults to help the children understand how to follow the safety protocols.” ~ FLASHBACK ~ 46th in a series of June 2011 - Former longtime City Clerk John Henry is shown being honored by city councillors John Powers (holding portrait) and Anthony Zambuto (right) with the hanging of his portrait in the DelGrosso Council Chambers in Revere City Hall during a ceremony to honor Henry’s dedicated service to the citizens and city government of Revere. Henry served as the Beach City’s would go on to serve as the city’s parking clerk as well clerk, Ashley Melnik, who took over in 2010. Hats off to the Class of 2021 NO MATTER WHERE YOUR JOURNEY TAKES YOU NEXT, YOU’LL ALWAYS BE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net Right by you. WWW.EVERETTBANK .COM Member FDIC Member DIF
12 Publizr Home