Education is the Key to Success in Malden

Dear Malden Residents,

I could not have been more pleased to read the recent U.S. News and World Report announcing Malden High School (MHS) and the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (MVRCS) as two of the top 50 Best High Schools in Massachusetts. Most impressive was the fact that U.S. News and World reviewed 358 schools before determining the ranking.

Malden High School ranked 39^th and was able to accomplish this feat even though the school’s student-to-teacher ratio was larger than the state average. Additionally, in both Math and English, over 70 percent of the students were deemed proficient. The Mystic Valley Regional Charter School ranked 8^th and had over 90 percent of the students proficient in Math and English. I commend both schools on these accomplishments.

These statistics are proof of Malden’s commitment to improve the quality of education for our students. Most recently, Malden School Superintendent David DeRuosi announced a citywide early learning reading initiative that connects home and school by utilizing smart phones, tablets, and computers. This innovative program involves a partnership with Footsteps2Brilliance, an early learning platform that will provide every Malden family with a library of eBooks and educational games to help improve literacy skills.

The most appealing aspect of this project is that the MVRCS, the Cheverus School, and local early learning centers will be joining the Malden Public Schools in rolling out the program. This collaboration is certain to yield positive results, accelerate learning and assist our students in achieving future academic success.

Again, congratulations to MHS and MVRCS – they are inspiring examples of the hard work taking place in all our schools across the city!

Sincerely,

GARY CHRISTENSON

Mayor, City of Malden

FOR SALE: CITY HALL

Dear Malden Residents,

Some of you have jokingly offered a few dollars to purchase City Hall but the City Council and I are hoping for much more. Working together, we have crafted the Request for Proposals (RFP) so as to encourage creative and innovative options for what could be done with this land. A hotel, movie theater, and/or open space are some of the examples we incorporated into the request. We also added specific criteria that need to be met in order for the RFP to be viable including that the existing building be demolished and that Pleasant Street be reconnected.

This opportunity would not have been possible without your valuable input. In formalizing the RFP, we were able to utilize the Master Plan in which hundreds residents participated as well as the work of the Harvard Graduate School of Urban Design students that was completed this past year. Submissions are not due back until mid-October. We are hoping this extended time frame will allow applicants the time to think outside of the box and submit innovative options that will help us revitalize this area of the downtown. Thanks again to the City Council for their support and we will continue to update you as information becomes available during this important step for the future of Malden Square.

 

GARY CHRISTENSON

Mayor, City of Malden

Guest Blog: What Is It Like to Work in the Mayor's Summer Youth Program

Over the last two summers working in the Mayor’s Office, I have learned about being in the working world -- from watching the Mayor manage our city, to learning how to interact with constituents. I am grateful for this amazing opportunity to work for the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program, and thankful for all it has taught me.

A main part of my job in this office is answering phone calls and helping those who walk into the Mayor’s Office. Constituent Services Representative Yan Yu taught me so much about being respectful, polite, and incredibly helpful to all who call the Mayor’s Office. These interactions helped me learn more than just the Government Center extension numbers.

Each department is responsible for certain tasks throughout the city, and the main goal is for all to work together to create the best Malden possible. Besides gaining a deep understanding of the departments in our city, I have realized my own communication skills have improved.

I am able to speak with confidence, but also ask questions when I do not know the answer. These skills will absolutely play into my future when I am out of college and on my own.

As a Class of 2013 Alumnus of Malden High School, this fall I will be starting my freshman year at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, where I plan on studying Engineering. Many people have asked me why I am working in the Mayor’s Office if I want to enter the math and science field -- however, the two overlap more than most think.

Outstanding people, accounting, and management skills are looked at highly, regardless of the job field. In Engineering, I will not only be able to specialize in my lab work, but will have the resources I need to be a successful leader and manager of that lab, all because of my experience in MYSEP.

From Maldon to Malden

Dear Malden Residents,

One thing I have come to appreciate since becoming Mayor is the great history that is part of our city. From being one of the earliest colonies to declare independence to being the home of Bell Rock Cemetery where Malden’s Revolutionary War heroes rest, Malden claims a very proud history.

This was no more evident than last week when we welcomed the Choir of St. Mary’s from our sister city, Maldon, England. The Choir, led by their esteemed Director Colin Baldy, is highly regarded in both the UK and around the world. In addition to enjoying their musical talents, we were also able to share our culture and historical connection. 

What was even more impressive than having our sister city represented here in our community was the outpouring of support from our residents. St. Paul’s Church Parish has worked for nearly a year to make this week possible and the dedicated volunteers who worked in the planning or in opening up their homes to our guests have made us all proud.

From hosting a welcoming dinner at Anthony’s Restaurant to planning trips to Gloucester and the North End, the Hospitality Committee, as they have become known, treated our visitors with great care. However, I think our guests were most impressed with a trolley ride through Malden which included a tour of the Public Library, Malden High School, and the Davenport Estates. Another highlight was the publication of Malden resident and author Inna Babitskaya’s book written especially for the occasion called “From Maldon to Malden.”

Our community was surely rewarded with the Choir’s outstanding concert on Friday night. The Choir performed a number of songs including those of Benjamin Britten who is considered the greatest composer in the UK. My favorite moment came when I heard 15-year-old William Foster play the organ. He was magnificent and deserving of the standing ovation he received.

As the Choir prepared to leave our city to head back to Maldon, England, I paused and reflected once again on how privileged I was to be Mayor while they were here, but more importantly how fortunate I was to be working alongside such a dedicated group of residents who represented our city well.

To learn more about the Choir, please visit www.stmaryschoir.org.uk and to order a copy of the book From Maldon to Malden, please email Inna Babitskaya at innaab@yahoo.com. 

Working Together is Success

Dear Residents,

As we enter the summer season, it is a time to be outside enjoying activities such as walking, biking, running, and swimming. While you are outdoors, I ask that you also take note of your surroundings and inform us of any issues. From graffiti to debris to nuisance properties, your observations and input are a guaranteed way of improving our community. Left unattended, it is also a certain way that our city will never become what we all envision it can be.

We have made much progress and have worked hard with the City Council to provide myriad ways for you to communicate about what’s going on around you. Monthly E-updates, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are a few of the outlets available to notify us of issues that need to be addressed. Of course, you can always report a concern by just using the good-old fashioned telephone!

One new tool that we currently employ with much success is Commonwealth Connect, a Smartphone App that can be downloaded for free using your Apple, Android, Windows Phone or Blackberry devices. We have resolved hundreds of issues since introducing this request-based system in March. Submitting an issue through your Smartphone may only take seconds, but the positive impact on your neighborhood and city may last for years to come.

Our city will only be as good as what you put into it. By working together, we can achieve success and see results. I am certain that if each one of us takes the time to get involved then the sky will be the limit for Malden.  

Sincerely,

                                                                                 

GARY CHRISTENSON

Mayor, City of Malden

CITY SHOWS PRIDE FOR VETS

Dear Malden Residents:

As I approach my second year in office, the one thing that has become abundantly clear is that Malden cares about Veterans.

From dedicating chairs of honor to Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action in the City Council chamber and the Jenkins Auditorium to the Annual Flag Day Celebration to be held this Friday at Bell Rock Memorial Park to the upcoming rededications of memorials honoring our Korean and Vietnam Veterans and the Tartikoff family from the first World War, the Malden community remains forever grateful to the brave men and women who kept us free.

Malden’s pride and respect for those that served our country was most evident this past weekend when our City hosted The Moving Wall. Not since the dedication of the World War II Memorial at Bell Rock Memorial Park has there been such an outpouring of community spirit. It is estimated that there were nearly 3,000 visitors to Forest Dale Cemetery during the three day event and it was not without a lot of reflection for the 58,000 Patriots whose names adorn the Wall, including 19 from Malden.

This feeling of community gratitude permeates down to the next generation as we are proud of Malden High School graduate Lisa DeLacey who will be attending West Point in the fall. In her heartfelt remarks during the Memorial Day Assembly, she explained how she wants to give back to the country that has given her so much. I am certain that Lisa will continue to make us proud as she prepares for the military academy.

Many of these projects require annual funding and, the one thing the City Council and I always agree on is remembering the sacrifices made by our Veterans. For the second straight year, we will be increasing city funding to our Veterans Services Department by nearly 5 percent.

The backbone of Malden’s ongoing support and dedication to our Veterans’ issues is Kevin Jarvis, Veterans Services Director. Kevin himself fought for his country on more than one occasion and he could have stopped there, but here he is 20 years later working day in and day out to make sure Veterans receive everything they deserve. Thank you, Kevin and thank you to our Veterans for defending our land of the free and home of the brave.

Sincerely,

GARY CHRISTENSON

Mayor, City of Malden 

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CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE REST OF THE MAYOR'S BLOG ON THE VETERANS AND THE MOVING WALL.