Somerville Public Schools nears 100% connectivity for families through targeted interventions, personalized approach

By the end of next week, Somerville Public Schools officials anticipate that close to 100% of families in the district will have internet access, thanks to intense and coordinated efforts by SPS and other city staff members, working in partnership with local service provider, Comcast. The district received a COVID 19 Assistance grant from the Somerville Job Creation and Retention Trust to support closing the digital divide for SPS students. This will allow students to access online learning while schools are closed for the rest of the academic year.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Chuck E Cheese, Laser Tag, and movie theaters like Chunky’s were where we usually held my two youngest kids’ birthday parties in the 90’s and early 2000’s.

My older daughter’s tenth birthday in 1992 was at the McDonald’s playground that used to be in Davis Square, and her twelfth birthday was a pool party at The Holiday Inn off Washington St. in Somerville. The boys had some parties at a place called Kids Playground and Laser Quest in Danvers for laser tag.

Plans must include provisions for cleaning, ending non-essential visits, and stopping gatherings within the building.

Today Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Board of Health issued an order requiring senior housing facilities to share existing COVID-19 safety plans or formally create plans and policies aimed at increasing the safety of and maximizing the protection of their residents, who may be at higher risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms, as well as building staff. Building management must submit these plans within 48 hours of receiving the order.

21,000 ready-to-eat meals provided to residents
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Somerville Public Schools and the City’s Emergency Food Pantry are serving a growing number of residents each week.

This week the City of Somerville distributed 4,000 facial masks to residents in senior living facilities across the city. In other city efforts to aid residents during the crisis, 21,000 meals have also been distributed to families by the Somerville Public Schools and roughly 1,700 persons per week are receiving groceries from the city.

The Somerville City Council is concerned that appropriate protection against COVID-19 infection is being provided to the city’s first responders.

By Jim Clark

An order was put forward at the April 14 meeting of the Somerville City Council’s Committee on Public Health and Public Safety requesting that the Chief of Police and the Chief Fire Engineer appear before the Committee with an update on their plans to keep first responders safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

LTC James Marques, 57A Simulations Officer, 84th Training Command.

By Jessica Sisavath

Lieutenant Colonel James Marques is retiring at the end of the summer from the Army Reserve and National Guard which he has dedicated 37 years of service to. A Somerville native, he joined the Army National Guard in 1983 during his time as a student at UMASS Lowell.

When Marques joined he did not know much about the National Guard. He had two things in mind which was to fulfill his curiosity of how the Army works and take advantages of having his education paid for.

So, Patriots’ Day came and went this week with little fanfare and fuss, and no Boston Marathon, all because of the social distancing requirements cause by the coronavirus threat. We understand the importance of keeping everyone safe, yet we can’t help but miss these grand old traditions that most of us look forward to. It’s unfortunate that we have to give up so much for now, but these events and special occasions will return. For now, be safe and ride this thing out with patience and good humor. After all, what’s the alternative?

Turn your stay at home time into a “staycation” by following some of these useful tips. — Photo © RossHelen / iStock via Getty Images Plus

While vacations sound like the best chance to unwind, planning a trip out of town — and getting there – can sometimes be more hassle than it’s worth.

Here’s how to turn your home into a staycation “destination” that can be enjoyed any time you feel like it:

It began after a bad oil spill that took place in 1969 off the coast of California. A year later, the first annual Earth Day was celebrated to demonstrate universal support for environmental protection and responsible stewardship of the planet and its inhabitants.

Since then, public and official awareness of the negative impacts of human activity – such as air and water pollution – have been raised to a level where concrete action is being demanded to mitigate those effects and heal the ills that have been inflicted on our world.