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Parents, students and nurses urge Revere School Committee to keep health aides and restore halal-protein meals
Summary
At the April 28 Revere School Committee meeting, students, health aides, nurses and parents urged the district to retain health aide positions and restore halal meat options after recent cuts; the superintendent said staff will follow up with food services and the committee discussed budget constraints.
Community members pressed Revere Public Schools on April 28 to preserve health aide positions and reintroduce halal-protein meal options, saying recent cuts have strained student safety and access to culturally appropriate food.
Student Radley La Cucque told the committee, “I really think Nubia should keep her position in the nurse's office because I've seen firsthand how much she helps.” Kepler Salami, senior class president, said removing a health aide would create ‘‘a barrage of problems’’ during busy or emergency moments at school.
Nubia Figueroa, who identified herself as a health aide at the high school, described daily duties that include Spanish translation, triage, escorting students in ambulances and supporting nurses with mandated screenings. “Eliminating this position will create gaps in care that cannot be filled by temporary solutions or external services,” she said.
Angela, a Revere High School nurse, told the committee health aides are “not supplemental. They are essential to maintaining safe and effective care for our students,” and noted the high school currently operates with only two nurses after one resigned in February and the position remained unfilled.
Speakers also urged the district to restore halal meat options on the cafeteria menu. Parent Said reported a petition with “like 306 verified signatures” requesting halal-protein meals at least one or two days per week so Muslim students have equitable access to nutritious lunches and to reduce food waste.
Dr. Kelly, the superintendent, responded that the district currently offers halal menu options that are primarily vegetarian and confirmed staff will follow up with Martha from the food services program to explore restoring halal meat offerings or increasing frequency and variety. “We do have halal food on the menu, but it's not halal meat,” Dr. Kelly said.
The discussion occurred amid broader budget constraints the committee is addressing; several speakers framed their pleas in terms of safety and equitable access for students who rely on school meals and on health aides for timely translation and medical support. The committee agreed staff will report back with more information at the May meeting.
The public-comment period closed by motion and the committee proceeded to the superintendent's reports and subsequent agenda items.
