Page 6 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 TEACHERS | FROM Page 1 sition during ongoing contract negotiations. But teachers, students and parents say there’s cause for genuine concern. Wednesday’s incident follows an August 29 brawl, which involved dozens of students and spilled out onto Beach Street. According to school offi cials, 12 students are facing charges in connection with that fi ght and nine of those students have reportedly been expelled. School and police offi cials will work together to review Wednesday’s incident to determine the appropriate response. At this week’s City Council meeting, teachers asked for support in the form of additional staffi ng, social workers, psychologists and school resource offi - cers. But according to the Mayor’s Office, over the last four years the district has increased the staff with 70 teachers who work with English language learners and inclusion classes, and counselors and social workers have also been brought onboard, to work with individual students on their social emotional well-being. Supt. Kelly said she wants to correct some misinformation about the Aug. 29 fi ght. It was widely reported that one school administrator was hit and knocked unconscious; another staff member was said to have been taken to a hospital by ambulance. Kelly said neither of those stories were true, and social media and the rumor Reportedly, a photo of the arm of an RHS educator shows an injury to his arm during a fi ght between students, the second in a week. (Courtesy photo) mill had amplifi ed “an unacceptable high school fi ght.” Kelly also reported that 18 students have been identifi ed as taking part in the fi ght in the high school and in the brawl that spilled out onto Beach Street. She said those students are facing disciplinary actions that include long-term suspension and expulsion, or the full level of what’s allowed under the law. Although teachers want help, most did not support the proposals for private security or metal detectors. Instead, they called for more staff and services to deal with students’ problems before they lead to fi ghts. “We urge you to find more constructive ways to address the problem,” said School Committee Vice Chair Jacqueline Monterroso, who suggested funding for transportation and afterschool programs to avoid crowds outside the building at the end of the school day. City Council President Anthony Cogliandro said a private security company would provide more eyes and ears to help staff identify potential problems and intervene before anything escalates into physical violence. But he and other councillors agreed to hold off and listen to more teachers and staff before voting on any measures. Mayor Keefe, in a press conference on Wednesday, announced that a fourth school resource offi - cer will be assigned to the school district and the Revere Police Behavioral Health Unit has been deployed to the high school to foster positive relationships among the student population. Keefe also said there will be increased access to resources for clinical and social emotional needs, which educators believe are the root cause of many incidents. The city is also engaging with outside resources, such as Roca of Chelsea, and working to provide more equipment and training on confl ict resolution and de-escalation tactics for staff and security personnel. Statement from Mayor Patrick M. Keefe Jr. Regarding Student Health, Safety, and Wellbeing R EVERE, MA — Since the start of our new school year, there have been three physical altercations in our schools. Unfortunately, this has given a platform to suggest the City and the School Administration have disregarded faculty and residents’ feedback, calling for a safer and healthier school environment. I can say for certain that we, the City and the District Administration, take this feedback very seriously, and that we have been working diligently to make the necessary adjustments at Revere High School. The following measures are in addition to robust resources and increased staffi ng across our school district over the past several years: Effective immediately, we have inserted a fourth SRO (School Resource Offi cer) into our school’s environment. We have housed our Behavioral Health Unit at Revere High School, to create better relationships with our student population, and to provide the clinical and social-emotional support we believe can be a root cause of many incidents. We are engaging with other outside resources, such as further partnering with ROCA, and working to equip our staff security personnel with more training regarding confl ict resolution and de-escalation tactics. As a parent, and someone who has worked with Revere youth and the schools for many years, I understand everyone’s concern regarding a safe environment for education. For that same reason, our goal is to work with everyone who plays a role in our children’s education: the faculty and staff , families, public safety, elected offi cials, and other stakeholders. Due to the recent incidents, our district decided to suspend and expel over 12 students. As consequence of today’s incident, 2 students were emergency removed from Revere High School for disciplinary reasons. While our model is to educate, we hear families and staff loud and clear: Students who cause trouble in our schools will be disciplined accordingly, and those who endanger themselves and others will face the highest consequences-- no exceptions. I want the public and our school community to fully trust that we have always been and are committed to fostering a safe and healthy learning environment. We will remain nimble enough to make the necessary adjustments, if and when it is called for. Students come to school to learn, to make friends and to grow as a child and young adult. Faculty share in this obligation by providing the mentorship and guidance these young minds yearn for. The administration is here to support the entire team. We look forward to working together, listening to our families, faculty, and staff , as we move forward with proactive approaches to make sure our students receive the quality education they deserve. We, the City and the School District, would like to continue to hear feedback from families and staff , and have scheduled a Community Forum later this month.
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