Last week’s news that schools in Somerville will be partially reopened – tentatively scheduled to commence the first week of March – has been extremely well received by many, but also met with some trepidation by those who are concerned that it may be too soon, considering the extent to which the coronavirus pandemic still affects so many.

The first phase will only bring students in High Needs Special Education programs, English Learner programs, and Pre-K and Kindergarten back to the classrooms at first, with grades 1-8 to follow later.

Marlene Dietrich visits troops during World War II. — Photo © USO Photos

The United Service Organizations (USO), the nation’s leading not-for-profit charity that serves the men and women in the U.S. military and their families, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.

Arrests:
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Brandon Daughtry, of Woburn, February 16, 11:33 p.m., arrested at Washington St. on charges of leaving the scene of personal injury, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor.

Yosvani Hernandez, of Woburn, February 21, 3:16 p.m., arrested at Broadway on warrant charges of number plate violation to conceal identity, receiving stolen property over $1200, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

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I first met Marlena Merrin at a Zoom meeting for the literary group The Bagel Bards that was once happily housed in Davis Square. The Bards remain, and the Au Bon Pain closed, lost in the Pandemic sea. When you first meet someone in a group you really don’t know them until you talk one on one. I was glad to catch up with this accomplished woman, who has many dimensions and diverse interests.

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Our poet this week writes, “My name is Jenna Gleason. I am a senior at Endicott College studying Psychology with a minor in Victimology. I have never taken a poetry class before, but I love to write! I wrote a book of poetry when I was a senior at Westover School called Serendipity and hope to write another book!”

Get the latest information about the COVID-19 Vaccine from last night’s discussion.

Acting Chief Femino has asked Christopher Ward to serve as the new Acting Deputy Chief in the Police Department.

Ward has served with the department for 32 years. He was instrumental in the department receiving its first certification by the Mass Police Accreditation Commission in May 2017. Deputy Ward most recently served as the Criminal Investigation Captain.

We are pleased to share that on Wednesday evening, the Somerville School Committee unanimously voted to approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Somerville Educators Union (SEU) to begin our phased in-person learning. The SEU overwhelmingly approved the MOA last Thursday. With the Certificate of Occupancy for Somerville High School scheduled to be received before the end of February and air quality work on other school buildings progressing as anticipated, we are moving forward with plans to begin our transition to in-person learning starting the first week in March.