Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2022 HOLIDAY | FROM PAGE 1 es – including 113 at Saugus High School. The number of COVID-19 cases in the schools dropped dramatically in this week’s reporting (through Wednesday, Jan. 12) by 85, to 189. But COVID-19 cases among Saugus Middle School students increased from 46 to 64. And the numbers reported at each school were substantially higher than the cases confi rmed in any given week through the fi rst 15 weeks of school. Twice during that period, the Middle reported 11 confi rmed COVID-19 cases in a week. Saugus High had previous highs of 12 and 10 cases in separate weeks. The Belmonte STEAM Academy had highs of 12 and 11 in two different weeks. And the Veterans Early Learning Center reported nine in one week. So, in the context of COVID-19 trends over the past school year, this week ranked as a signifi cantly high total for each of the school buildings and the second-highest district total. “I’m hoping the overall decline is consistent with data showing that we’re getting past the surge and that the middle school numbers fall alongside on the next report,” School Committee Member Ryan Fisher said yesterday (Thursday, Jan. 13). The escalating numbers reported in Saugus over the past month have been a major concern for school offi cials, according to Fisher. But the fact that students are in class, benefi ting from in-school learning instead of remote learning from home, is a huge positive. “A big diff erence between this year and last is the availability of vaccines and in-school testing to limit the disruption on students who are exposed,” Fisher said. “There have been obvious difficulties with finding testing and I’m hoping that will continue to ease. I’ve spoken to a number of parents with children under fi ve who can’t get vaccinated, or who have family members with precariLaw Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com Saugus snaps losing skid H By Greg Phipps aving lost four straight after opening the season with two wins, the Saugus High School hockey team reversed that trend with a solid performance in its home opener on Wednesday evening at Kasabuski Arena. The Sachems were coming off a rough shutout loss against Marblehead last week but were able to bust open a bit on offense and tighten up on the defensive end on Wednesday. Giving up 20 goals and tallying just once in their previous three games, the Saous health situations who aren’t protected by vaccines, and I hear the same comments from some parents of ‘It’s no big deal. I’m sending my kid to school who tested positive because she’s feeling better,” he said. “Kids are better off in the classroom, no question, but there’s a lot of anxiety. We’re going to keep supporting, keep testing and keep asking everyone to do their part to help keep schools open,” he said. “Some parents, based on their child’s age and the health status of their families, are in a tough spot right now. Teaching to in-person students as well as remote students is diffi cult on everyone, especially with our youngest learners. I’m hoping we’re going to follow the South Africa model and ease out of this surge quickly.” chems dented the net four times in Wednesday’s 4-2 win over Swampscott. Four diff erent players scored. The victory left Saugus with a 3-4 overall record. The win over the Big Blue was a Northeastern Conference (NEC) triumph. Against Swampscott, Chris Regnetta tallied and also dished out an assist. He was helped along by single goals from Massey Ventre, Jason Caron and Dante Mauro. The defense was strong as well. Goalie Matt Smith got the win in net. Swampscott fell to 2-5-1 overall and 0-3 in NEC play. With holiday surge anticipated, there were some parents who wondered whether spending the fi rst week in remote learning instead of returning to school immediately would have meant fewer students exposed to the virus. Fisher doesn’t believe it would have been wise for state Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeff Riley to order remote learning for the fi rst week. “The reality is the second week wasn’t much better than the fi rst week, so if the commissioner had gone that way we’d likely still be in remote, right?” Fisher said. “Last year, when we were dealing with this, the variants were more harmful, and no one was vaccinated. I don’t think that would have been a realistic option this year,” he said. The Big Blue are currently last in the NEC-South. The Sachems are tied for the top spot in the standings with a 2-1 league record. Wednesday’s game was the fi rst in a span of six consecutive home contests at Kasabuski. The Sachems have a home contest against Gloucester on Saturday night (scheduled 7:50 start). The Sachems host Lexington and Everett next week. They face Beverly (1-1 in league play) on Jan. 22 at Kasabuski. Beverly is currently 3-6 overall on the season. COVID-19 in Saugus Public Schools Veterans Early Learning Center Sept. 8–Dec. 22 – 52 Dec. 23–Jan. 5 – 47 Jan. 6–Jan 12 – 21 Total for school year – 120 Belmonte STEAM Academy Sept. 8–Dec. 22 – 75 Dec. 23–Jan. 5 – 68 Jan. 6–Jan 12 – 62 Total for school year – 205 Saugus Middle School Sept. 8–Dec. 22 – 63 Dec. 23–Jan. 5 – 46 Jan. 6–Jan 12 – 64 Total for school year 173 HOLIDAY | SEE PAGE 9 A trusted family name combined with exceptional craftsmanship & professionalism. 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