Two new courses proposed for Revere

by Sheldon Ocker

Dec. 10 board of education meeting

Two teachers made a proposal to the Revere Board of Education that would give extra assistance to high school students taking art and English classes.

Sarah Zustin, who teaches art at the middle school and high school, explained why Art Connections would be a valuable addition to the Revere curriculum.

“Basically, this is designed for students to explore the visual arts while experiencing a wide range of social, emotional and developmental skills,” she said. 

The class would be comprised of traditional students and those who require more attention.

“The goal of the course is to connect and combine traditional learners with students who have varying abilities and needs – to create a more inclusive and interacting learning experience for all types of learners,” Zustin said. 

Zustin added that the class has already been introduced at the middle school “and has shown to be a really great asset.”

High school English teacher McClain Hayes outlined Comprehensive English 9 and 10 plus for the board.

“The purpose of the course is basically to provide support to students where there is a skill gap between what we traditionally see in particular comprehensive English classes,” he said. 

The course would include various elements of communication: reading, writing and speaking.

“When you take a look at the neuroscience that is behind that particular course work, we are seeing … development of students’ skills is significant,” he said.

The board will not take action on the proposals until January. If approved, the courses would begin in the 2025-26 school year.

Donations

The Revere Speech and Debate Boosters gave $2,166 to the speech and debate teams.

The Gardner family donated $300 to the Revere High School Café, which is a special education class.

Customers of True North convenience store’s “Giving Pump” program contributed $1,366 to Revere as their preferred beneficiary. Revere Treasurer Rick Berdine gave the money to the orchestra program.

“The teacher who was given the money was elated,” he said. “The numbers [of orchestra participants] is growing like crazy.”

In other action

The board approved a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for the varsity and junior varsity baseball teams from March 26-30, 2025. The teams will participate in the Ripken Experience. The trip will be funded by the players and by baseball fundraisers.

The board approved a trip to Orlando, Florida, for the Revere softball teams from March 24-28, 2025, to take part in the KSA Experience. Expenses will be paid by the players and coaches and by fundraisers.

Board President Keith Malick was elected president pro tempore for the January organizational meeting. The organizational meeting and work session is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 13, at 5:30 p.m. Board meetings are customarily held on Tuesday.