YOUR LOCAL NEWS & SPORTS ONLINE. SCAN HERE! Vol. 34, No.38 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Free Every Friday 781-286-8500 Friday, September 20, 2024 KA-Boom! Volunteers gather to build brand new playground at Cooledge St. complex Approximately 70 Delta Air Lines employees and 40 Revere Housing Authority employees, along with city and state offi cials, helped build a kid-designed, community-build playground at the Housing Authority’s Cooledge St. property on Saturday. Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll and State Representative Jessica Giannino came in the morning. KABOOM! is helping to end play space inequity. Shown from left to right: Councillor-At-Large Robert Haas, Delta Air Lines Community Engagement Director Tad Hutcheson, Mayor Patrick Keefe Jr., Delta Regional Sales Manager Candice Stover, Revere Housing Authority Executive Director Dean Harris, Matteo Turco, State Representative Jeff rey Turco, Revere Housing Authority Treasurer Richard Viscay and Revere Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Chairman Tony Perrone prepared to cut the ribbon. See page 10–11 for photo highlights. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) School principals support supt.; decry false information over High School fracas Community meeting planned for Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at RHS in Learning Commons By Barbara Taormina T he School Committee began their meeting this week with school principals using the public speaking segment to express their support for the administration, and their frustration with how Revere High School has been portrayed in the media as a result of the fi ghts that took place over the last two weeks. Nancy Martell, principal at the James J. Hill Elementary School, said her son, a junior at Revere High, feels safe in all parts of the school. Martell said the recent fi ghts involved a small number of students in need of additional services and have nothing to do with the majority of the high school community. She criticized those who have been giving inaccurate information to the media and stressed that the recent fi ghts at the high school do not defi ne Revere as a community. Joanne Willett, principal of the Susan B. Anthony Middle School, said she came to the meeting to express her unwavering support for Schools Supt. Dianne Kelly, who she said has brought visionary leadership to the district. Willett praised Kelly for her focus on equity, academic rigor and student well-being. She described media accounts of the recent incidents as very untrue and very unfortunate. Revere High Principal Christopher Bowen said he was sickened by accounts that described Revere students, particularly students of color and immigrant students, as criminals and animals two weeks after the large fi ght at the high school. He also said he was troubled by accounts that educators do not receive the needed support from school and city leaders. Bowen said he has received everything he’s asked the administration to provide to bolster social and emotional support services for struggling students. School Committee Vice Chair Jacqueline Monterroso echoed Bowen’s comments and said false headlines and misinformation have hurt the student body. Monterroso said adults should be aware of how their words and actions are affecting students. SUPPORT | SEE Page 2 Dr. Dianne Kelly RPS Supt.
2 Publizr Home