SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2020 FR. BRIAN FLYNN COMMENTARY Saugus set Keeping for distant the faith in time learning Lisa Spinale paints a rainbow on By Elyse Carmosino the window of her store. ITEM STAFF of crisis SAUGUS — Superintendent of Schools David (Editor’s note: The Item DeRuosi expects Saugus to launch its online feels that in times such learning program — also referred to as distant as these, the perspective of learning — by early April. the clergy, such as Fr. Bri- The information was announced during a an Flynn, is most helpful. school committee meeting broadcast online We invite clergy from any Thursday, and comes in the wake of Governor religion to submit a faith- Baker’s Wednesday announcement that schools based commentary.) will remain closed until May 4, rather than late April as initially planned, due to the COVID-19 Approximately ve virus outbreak. weeks ago, the people of “This is de nitely an ongoing situation,” DeRu- St. Mary and Sacred Heart osi said. “This idea of distant learning is new to a parishes gathered in our lot of people, and most (other) districts are right church hall to celebrate where we are.” Mardi Gras. It was a joy- ITEM PHOTOS | SPENSER HASAK DeRuosi said additional meetings among him, ful evening of pancakes, the Commissioner, and others are planned to candy, fun and games, con- Lisa Spinale, owner of Spinale & A woman stops to look at the rain- further discuss what the move to an extended cluding with the burning Company Hair Design on Humphrey closure and online learning model will look like. bow painted in the window of Spi- of last year’s palms to pro- Street in Swampscott, paints a rain- “(The Commissioner) is’t looking for districts vide ashes to be placed on bow on the window of her store. nale & Company Hair Design. to become brilliant overnight, but what he’s say- our foreheads signifying ing is that … we need to keep students as much the beginning of the holy as we can in a stable learning environment,” he season of Lent. During a Businesses work to lift said. presentation that night, To make distant learning feasible will require I asked our young people a good deal of logistical planning, and the su- what they were “giving perintendent outlined measures currently being up.” One youngster said spirits from isolation taken to bring the entire district up to speed. she was “giving up school” Students who don’t have access to an online to which I responded, “You learning device are now being identi ed by the Spinale said. can’t give up school, that By Thor Jourgensen administration, and DeRuosi said the district ITEM STAFF Economic decisions and Gov. Baker’s es- would be like me giving is working on a plan to get equipment, includ- sential services order issued earlier this up Mass and closing our Spinale and Company Hair Design ing both new and used chromebooks, to those in two churches!” week led to temporary business closings need. is closed to walk-in customers but that across the state. But merchants are nd- Little did I know how doesn’t mean the Swampscott shop isn’t Parents will also be given additional support prophetic this young- ing ways to serve their customers. to help them structure their children’s learning doing business. Owned and operated by Haven Project, ster would be. Sadly, due A stylist for 40 years, Lisa Spinale has time, and DeRuosi said curriculum guides will Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Compa- be available for access on the district’s website to COVID-19, our pub- found ways beyond her salon chairs to ny in Lynn is focusing on Haven’s prima- by Monday. lic and Catholic schools help clients, including a concerted effort ry mission — supporting young homeless “The major goal right now is equity,” he said. have been closed, and the to boost their spirits. She hopes the rain- priests of the parish begin adults. Executive Director Gini Mazman “We’re trying to make it equitable for all.” bow she painted earlier this week on the said coronavirus restrictions informing School Committee chair Thomas Whittredge our preparations for Holy salon’s Humphrey Street window has the Week liturgies to be cele- business decisions call for prioritizing cli- praised the administration and other local desired effect. ents over serving coffee. groups, including meal-provider non-pro t, brated in empty churches “It’s to keep spirits up and bring the without our congregations neighborhood and community together,” BUSINESSES, A3 SCHOOL, A3 present. These are very unusu- al and dif cult times for us all. We are concerned about the health of loved COVID casts 28 CASES ones, while we worry about our nancial situa- confusion in tion. It may also challenge IN LYNN us in our faith as we ques- By David tion where God is in all of Town Meetings McLellan this. How can we nd the ITEM STAFF light of Christ in the dark- By Thor Jourgensen ness of these challenges ITEM STAFF LYNN — There that confront us? are now 28 cases of Under normal circum- Town Meeting — an annual spring COURTESY PHOTOS COVID-19 in Lynn, stances we nd Christ tradition in small Massachusetts St. Mary’s eighth-grader Julie Liuzza has a furry study “which includes two in many different ways. communities — is clouded this year partner, and St. Mary’s junior Jack Hogan does school members of the city’s Many of us in the Catholic by coronavirus as moderators wrestle work at home as the learning went online in schools all workforce,” according Church nd Christ in the with decisions to postpone meetings. over the country. to a statement from the Sacrament of the Eucha- Lynn eld’s April 27 Town Meeting of ce of Mayor Thomas rist. We believe that the draft warrant is set with a 14-article McGee. bread and wine truly be- warrant covering town nances, li- VIRTUAL REALITY According to the may- come the Body and Blood quor license and zoning changes. or’s spokeswoman Eliz- of Christ and the graces But with town government work- St. Mary’s transitions to remote learning abeth Gervacio, the city contained within sustain ing in remote mode, Moderator Joe has been informed of Markey, after consulting with town us throughout the week. By Paul Halloran At St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart the cases by the Massa- It is the primary means by of cials, said the meeting most likely chusetts Department of FOR THE ITEM schools, which offer a pre-K which we encounter God will be postponed to May 27, subject Public Health. Both em- through grade 12 education in in our lives and the best to Lynn eld Middle School auditori- ployees who have con- It was Thursday, March 12 two locations, an emergency re- reason for us to gather ev- um’s availability on that day. tracted the virus dis- and the dynamic surrounding sponse team scrambled to formu- ery Sunday in our church- Saugus Town Meeting is scheduled the COVID-19 virus was chang- closed their conditions es. Sadly, to keep all safe for May 4 and Moderator Stephen late a strategy for remote learn- to the city’s Health De- ing rapidly. School closings for ing, in the event of an extended from illness, Masses have Doherty said a decision must be made the next day and, in some cases, partment, which then by the second week of April to post- shutdown. It was decided that been suspended and we the next week or two, were be- “immediately contacted pone or hold Town Meeting. Friday would be an early release cannot receive this most ing announced. The Massachu- all city staff who may He will draw on advice from the Board day for students, giving the staff precious gift. I want you setts Interscholastic Athletic have been in close con- of Selectmen, Town Manager and health the afternoon to develop a plan. to know, however, that as Association was preparing to tact with the impacted of cials to make his decision. Saugus As that process was unfolding, employees and imple- a priest I am blessed to be cancel eight state championship has 50 elected Town Meeting members, the decision was made to close mented self-quarantine able to celebrate Mass pri- basketball games scheduled for vately and continue to do making social distancing compliance or the schools for two weeks. procedures accordingly.” that Saturday. It was becoming so for your intentions. video conferencing a challenge. “This moved a lot quicker than The city is recom- clear that there would be dis- For some, Lenten practic- “I have an expectation it is going we all thought,” said David An- mending residents fol- ruption to the daily routine, the es are where we encounter to be postponed. We’re in the initial geramo, St. Mary’s associate low Gov. Charlie Baker’s only question at that point was, COMMENTARY, A3 TOWN MEETINGS, B3 how much. REMOTE, A3 28 CASES, A3 Inside Making her voice heard in Peabody Endicott College donates to Beverly By Anne Marie Tobin since 2008. She is currently the lon- Hospital. A2 ITEM STAFF gest councilor and has been the coun- ● cil’s only female member her entire Postponements. A2 PEABODY — In the world of poli- tenure. ● tics, largely dominated by men, one Manning-Martin said her top prior- Senior shopping Peabody woman is doing her best to ity in guiding the future of Peabody is hours. A2 make sure her voice is heard. maintaining quality of life.