波士頓市長吳弭 訂3/5晚首度進社區辦公

           （Boston Orange編譯）波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）將於 2026 年 3 月 5 日（週四）晚上 6:00 至 8:00，在洛士百利（Roxbury）的布魯斯·波林市政大樓（Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building）舉辦首屆「市長辦公時間」，以更親民的和民眾接觸。

                吳弭市長表示，市政府最重要的工作就是為所有市民找出方法，改善生活品質，她期待3月5日這晚，能和大家見面，分享資訊，解決問題，促使更多人參與市政。

                 吳弭在今年1月的就職演說中承諾，要建立直接溝通管道，讓市民能夠向市長，以及各部門官員，當面述說問題。

                   3月5日晚的服務重點包括辦理選民登記、人口普查登記、列印出生與結婚證明等行政事務，也讓民眾繳交停車罰單、申請殘障停車位或公園活動許可。現場還將透過Great Starts 平台，讓民眾申請波士頓幼稚園到12年級（ Pre-K 及 K-12 ）的入學申請，同時歡迎民眾諮詢青年就業、小企業資源、房地產稅減免、住房穩定及社區安全等各方面問題。

                  波士頓警察局、公共衛生委員會、房屋辦公室及 311 團隊等超過 15 個波士頓市府部門將派員出席，為民眾辦理各項服務，解答提問。波士頓青少年與家庭中心（BCYF）將為兒童安排活動，並在現場提供茶點與免費贈品。

                 查詢詳情，可上官方網站 boston.gov/officehours，或撥打 311 與市長社區服務辦公室聯繫。

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER OFFICE HOURS 

Office Hours with the Mayor will bring City Hall out of City Hall and directly to residents

BOSTON – Friday, February 27, 2026 – Mayor Michelle Wu and the Community Engagement Cabinet announced the first-ever Office Hours, a family-friendly one-stop opportunity for Boston residents from across the city to connect directly with the Mayor, City services, and department staff to have their questions or concerns answered in real time. The event will take place on Thursday, March 5, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building in Roxbury.

Office Hours with the Mayor are designed to get City Hall out of City Hall and into neighborhoods, where constituents can meet with city staff to get assistance, ask questions, and connect with resources. During Mayor Wu’s inaugural address in January, she shared her goal of creating Office Hours as an opportunity to connect directly with residents, hear what’s working and what’s not, and unstick any city service issues in real time. 

 

“Our most important job at the City is to find solutions and deliver services to improve quality of life for all our residents,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at this first Office Hours to share information, address issues, and get even more people involved in city government.”

 

During Office Hours, residents will have access to several City services. This includes registering to vote, completing census registration, printing certified copies of birth, marriage and death certificates, applying for handicap parking, paying for parking tickets, and submitting a permit for park usage to host sports or special events. Additionally, families will be able to complete applications for Boston Pre-K and Boston Public Schools (BPS) K-12 programs through the Great Starts platform, with staff available to guide residents through the process. Additional services and information from various City departments will be available.

 

“Office Hours reflect the Mayor’s commitment to meeting residents where they are and making City Hall more accessible and responsive,” said Brianna Millor, Chief of the Community Engagement Cabinet. “By bringing together City departments under one roof, we’re creating a space where community members can ask questions, share feedback, and connect directly with the resources and services that matter most to them. We’re excited to welcome residents from across Boston for an evening of meaningful conversation and on-the-spot support.”

 

Residents are encouraged to come prepared to ask questions and receive information on a broad range of city topics, such as youth employment opportunities, resources for small businesses, property tax relief and exemptions for older adults and homeowners, housing resources, and community safety initiatives. Community members will also be able to learn more about Boston Family Days, Community Safety, Boston Rodent Action Plan, and White Stadium, among other initiatives. Additionally, Boston 311 will be on-site to create and look up service requests, and residents can learn how to use the Boston 311 mobile app as a tool to stay connected to City Hall. Neighborhood liaisons will be present to engage with constituents. 

 

Departments attending Mayor’s Office Hours include 311, Age Strong Commission, Assessing, Boston Police Department, Boston Public Schools, Boston Public Health Commission, Inspectional Services Department, Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Advancement, Office of Housing Stability/Mayor’s Office of Housing, Office of Neighborhood Services, Streets, Public Works, Registry: Birth, Death, and Marriage, Veterans’ Services, Boston Water and Sewer, and Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA). 

 

During Office Hours, there will be engaging and fun activities for children led by The Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) City Hall Childcare Program. Refreshments and free giveaways will be available throughout the event. 

 

For more information and updates, visit boston.gov/officehours, contact the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services at 617-635-4500 or call 311.

麻州參議員Nick Collins舉辦馬年新春慶祝會

麻州參議員Nick Collins（中）和紐英崙養生舞協會合影。（參議員辦公室提供）

              (Boston Orange)麻州參議員柯林斯 （Nick Collins）和麻州議會亞裔核心小組合作，2月26日早上，在麻州參議會閱讀室，慶祝農曆馬年新春，50多人歡聚一堂。

            柯林斯議員不但親自在會場迎接到會民眾，送上馬年祝福，還帶大家參觀麻州參議會議事廳，邀紐英崙養生舞協會共同創辦人黃周麗桃，以及在州政府多個機構前後任職逾28年，剛退休的的阮鴻燦，站上參議會主席台，接受表揚。

麻州參議員Nick Collins（中）和他的華裔助理為馬年新春慶祝會致詞。

            紐英崙養生舞協會，台山鄉親聯誼會舞蹈團，楓葉舞蹈團這天也應邀婆娑起舞，為麻州參議會議事廳帶來難得一見的亞裔文化氣息。

            麻州的參眾議會，共有200名議員，其中40人為參議員，160人為眾議員。在過去這200多年來，亞裔一直是參眾議會中的“稀有人種”。

麻州參議員Nick Collins（中）和麻州眾議員黃子安（右）。

            從麻州議會於1780年分成參眾兩會以來，麻州參議會迄今只出過2名亞裔參議員，分別是2009年當選，2022年卸任，父親是有四分之一華裔血統太空人陳福林（Franklin Chang-Diaz）的陳翟蘇尼（Sonia Chang Diaz），以及2017年當選，2021年1月卸任的越南裔Dean Tran。

            麻州眾議會的亞裔議員人數多些，最早是2009年有陳德基和黃子安這2名華裔雙雙當選為眾議員，並連任迄今。

            麻州眾議會的亞裔核心小組，如今共有7人。在黃子安和陳德基之外，2025年有母親來自上海的Paul Schmid退休，有日華裔混血，代表牛頓市的馬惠美（Amy Mah Sangiolo），以及打敗Rady Mom，代表羅爾市（Lowell）的柬埔寨裔Tara Hong當選。

            連任在位的有代表somerville的Erika Uyterhoeven，以及代表羅爾市(Lowell)的柬埔寨裔Vanna Howard，代表安多福鎮（Andover）的越南裔Tram Nguyen。

            不過Vanna Howard已於2月3日民主黨初選中獲勝，將於3月3日為麻州參議員Edward James Kennedy Jr. 於去年10月辭世遺缺所辦的補選中，和同為柬埔寨裔的共和黨籍參選人Sam Meas競爭。

台山鄉親聯誼會舞蹈團和楓葉舞蹈團合影。

            代表安多福鎮（Andover）的麻州眾議員Tram Nguyen則是正和曾任波士頓市長幕僚長的高丹尼（Dan Koh）競爭，看誰能於9月的民主黨初選中，成為代表民主黨角逐麻州聯邦眾議員Seth Moulton席位的人。

            一旦Vanna Howard和Tram Nguyen當選，麻州就會陸續有2個眾議員席位出缺，又要辦補選了。

台山鄉親聯誼會舞蹈團陳晶年（左二）等人合影。

            柯林斯的這場慶祝會原本安排在2月24日舉行的，只是很不巧，23日一場超大風雪襲捲麻州，降雪將近20英寸，迫不得已改期後，由於各地積雪很嚴重，道路又濕滑，華人前進會組織專員鄺寶蓮透露，許多老人家原本想藉這機會，參觀一下麻州參議會，為了怕摔倒，只好放棄。  （所有圖片由Nick Collins辦公室提供）

紐英崙養生舞協會共同創辦人黃周麗桃致詞。(黃周麗桃提供）

紐英崙養生舞協會共同創辦人周美桃（前中）等人合影。

Nick Collins助理介紹表演團隊。

Nick Collins馬年新春慶祝會出席民眾欣賞表演。

      紐英崙養生舞協會表演扇舞。        

麻州和谷歌合作取得10000個名額 州民及小企業可免費學取得AI專業證書

麻州長Maura Healey宣布和谷歌合作，為民眾免費提供「谷歌AI專業證書」課程。
（周菊子攝）

                (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州綜合報導)麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）2月26日在谷歌(Google) 的劍橋市辦公室宣佈，麻州已成為全美第一個和谷歌合作，為州內小企業，求職者及州民提供免費“谷歌AI專業證書（Google AI Professional Certificate）“課程的州政府。

麻州長Maura Healey在谷歌的劍橋辦公室宣布和戰略夥伴關係。（周菊子攝）

             麻州勞工和勞動力發展廳廳長Lauren Jones在宣佈會中表示，麻州已爭取到10,000個免費學習授權（Licenses），將經由麻州科技合作（MassTech）下的MA AI Hub，優先分發給失業，轉業、 以及長期被科技產業邊緣化的小企業。民眾還可向MassHire 查詢。

            奚莉州長表示，250年來，麻州在教育上一直處於領先地位，甚至促使AI崛起的科技也源自麻州，所以麻州當然要充分利用谷歌提供的資源，造福所有州民。

谷歌Grow with Google全球副總裁Lisa Gevelber闡述谷歌的教育計劃。（周菊子攝）

            麻州勞工和勞動力發展廳廳長Lauren Jones在宣佈會中表示，麻州已爭取到10,000個免費學習授權（Licenses），這些資源將優先分發給失業，轉業，以及長期被科技產業邊緣化的小企業。

麻州勞工廳廳長Lauren Jones強調，將以失業及轉業者為優先照顧對ㄒㄧ。（周菊子攝）

            Lauren Jones指出，根據州政府的調查數據，麻州僅有17%的職業培訓機構把AI納入了課程，有40%完全沒有相關資源，有60%都希望政府能夠支援，麻州政府和谷歌旗下的「與谷歌一起成長（Grow with Google）」合作，正好提供了資源，輔佐麻州人才。

            「與谷歌一起成長（Grow with Google）」全球副總裁Lisa Gevelber表示，根據Ipsos調查，有70%的企業經理認為AI技能對企業成功很重要，但只有14%員工能在工作中得到AI培訓，小微企業更是不到10%，谷歌為此特地設計了這「AI 專業證書」課程，教人如何運用AI來把工作做得更好。

麻州經濟發展廳廳長Eric Paley。（周菊子攝）

            谷歌早從2017年開始，就藉由Coursera陸續在網路上提供六大職業證書課程，幫助沒有相關背景的人，在3到6個月內，取得“數據分析 （Data Analytics）”、”IT支援(IT Support)“、”專案管理(Project Management)“、”UX設計(UX Design)“、“數位行銷與電子商務(Digital Marketing & E-Commerce”、“網路安全（Cybersecurity）”等領域的入職技能。

麻州人工智能樞紐（MA AI Hub）主任Sabrina Mansur。（周菊子攝）

            谷歌已從今年2月19日推出的「谷歌AI專業證書（Google AI Professional Certificate）」課程，內容包括谷歌最新的Gemini模型應用

麻州科技（ＭassTech）執行長Carolyn Kirk。（周菊子攝）

，主要是教人學習生成式AI的職場應用，精準提問（Prompt Engineering）等5門子課程，還得完成20多個動手實作練習，一旦取得證書，就可獲得包括沃爾瑪（Walmart）、德勤（Deloitte）等150多家大企業認可，直接掛在領英（LinkedIn）上，作為爭取工作機會的技能。

            Lisa Gevelber還指出，數個月前，谷歌推出了「谷歌AI教育加速器（ Google AI for Education Accelerator）」，和麻州大學等教育機構展開深度合作。2月19日推出「谷歌AI專業證書」課程時，谷歌也宣布了全美所有員工500人以下的小微企業，均可為其企業內的每一名員工申請免費培訓。符合資格的小企業，還可獲得3個月的Google AI Pro和google Workspace Business Standard的免費使用權，讓員工在學習時直接使用最強大的商業AI工具。

            谷歌的職業證書課程和AI 專業證書課程，任何個別人士都可以每月$49元的費用，自行上網學習。

            26日在會上發言的還有麻州科技（ＭassTech）執行長Carolyn Kirk，麻州人工智能樞紐（MA AI Hub）主任Sabrina Mansur，麻州經濟發展廳廳長Eric Paley等人。

            Sabrina Mansur指出，麻州人工智能樞紐最近才和位於Holyoke的麻州綠化高效能計算中心（Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center，簡稱MGHPCC）合作，宣佈劍橋電腦（Cambridge Computer）和戴爾科技(Dell Technologies)，輝達（Nvidia），以及VAST攜手在MGHPCC製造人工智能計算資源（AICR）環境，作為麻州人工智能樞紐的支柱，為新創公司、公司、研究人員和教育工作者提供人工智慧創新所需的永續高效能運算資源。

              查詢相關資源可上網，小微企業可上 google.com/smb，麻州民眾可經由MA AI Hub上網https://aihub.masstech.org/google-certificates，查詢相關資料。一般民眾也可自行付費，上網學習，獲取谷歌職業證書google.com/ai-cert。

Massachusetts Senate Passes the BRIGHT Act to Modernize and Invest in Public Higher Education Facilities

 Massachusetts Senate Passes the BRIGHT Act to Modernize and Invest in Public Higher Education Facilities 

Invests in Vital Repair Projects, Lab and Vocational Training Facilities, Campus Supported Housing Development 

 

(BOSTON—2/26/2026) The Massachusetts Senate today unanimously passed the BRIGHT Act, a $3.28 billion bond bill that will invest in upgrades to public higher education campuses across Massachusetts and strengthen the learning experiences of students at community colleges, state universities, and UMass campuses. 

 

The legislation—S.2962, An Act to build resilient infrastructure to generate higher-ed transformation—will update facilities and address the backlog of deferred campus maintenance by harnessing the power of ‘Fair Share’ revenues to back a new state bond issuance.  

 

The generational investment package builds on recent Senate-led policies to make public higher education more affordable and accessible, including tuition-free community college and historic increases to financial aid. Recent advancements make a tuition- and fee-free education possible for all Pell-eligible students attending four-year universities, and allow students from moderate-income families to attend at half the cost. 

 

“Massachusetts students deserve campuses that match the quality of their ambition,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The BRIGHT Act will deliver just that: safe, modern, and energy-efficient classrooms that provide a strong foundation for academic and professional success for every student at every public institution in the Commonwealth. I applaud the education leaders who helped shape this bill, the faculty and staff who dedicate themselves to educating our residents, and the students who choose to pursue a world-class education at Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities. I am especially grateful to Chair Comerford for her leadership on this issue, and to Chair Rodrigues and Chair Mark for their stewardship.” 

 

“The Senate has always made strategic investments in higher education a top priority, as we know that advanced education leads to a more highly skilled and compensated Massachusetts workforce. This comprehensive bond bill will help modernize aging college infrastructure and spur housing development in underutilized campus properties, providing a gateway for higher enrollment,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I have long been advocating for a higher education deferred maintenance bond bill, and this proposal is the result of a strong working collaboration between the Legislature, the Administration, and the Commonwealth’s public colleges and universities. This initiative also requires smart investment in climate resilience, ongoing decarbonization, and pursues other energy efficient priorities. I thank Senate President Spilka and Higher Education Chair Comerford for their leadership and work to move this legislation forward.” 

 

“Today, the Senate advanced urgently-needed legislation to transform public higher education infrastructure by leveraging Fair Share dollars to address deferred maintenance, modernize classrooms, and decarbonize campuses,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. “I am grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka and Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues for their steadfast leadership and commitment to investing in every facet of public higher education. With the BRIGHT Act, Massachusetts is choosing not to retreat in the face of federal attacks on higher education, but to build forward—creating healthier, more sustainable campuses that reflect the future we are preparing our students to lead.” 

 

An expected $2.5 billion worth of projects over the next 10 years will help cover deferred maintenance, repairs, and major capital projects through a mix of bonding and cash investments. Projects include lab modernization, workforce development facilities, and climate resilience and energy efficiency priorities. The bill will also provide support for public colleges and universities to turn unused campus property into housing or mixed-use developments, and simplify the process for selling or leasing surplus land. 

 

To finance BRIGHT Act projects, the legislation would dedicate $125 million per year from the ‘Fair Share’ surtax on high-earning households to create and back a new special revenue bond. The state collected roughly $3 billion in total Fair Share revenues in 2025. 

 

“The BRIGHT Act makes crucial investments in our public higher education campus facilities that will improve our competitive edge as a state, support equity, workforce development, and long-term growth, and promote increased economic activity including good paying jobs in the building trades, while also ensuring that our students, whether they live in the Berkshires, Boston, or anywhere in between, have access to high quality affordable public higher education,” said Senator Paul W. Mark (D-Becket), Acting Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. 

 

Looking beyond the funding and bonds that would be issued over the next 10 years, the bill ensures the state will permanently bolster the resources that are directed toward higher education capital projects. It requires that the annual $125 million stream of Fair Share surtax revenue continue to be directed toward higher education capital projects in perpetuity. 

 

Originally filed by the Governor, versions of the bill have been heard by the Joint Committee on Higher Education, reviewed by the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, passed by the House of Representatives, and redrafted by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. The Senate version of the legislation was reported to the full body by the Committee on Ways and Means with a 16-0 vote on February 19, 2026. All committee votes are posted on the Legislature’s website. 

 

The $3.28 billion that the state would be authorized to issue in support of public higher education capital projects includes: 

 

·          $1.25 billion for projects on state university and community college campuses; 

·          $1.25 billion for projects on University of Massachusetts campuses; 

·          $120 million to support well-equipped laboratories at public higher education institutions, modern facilities to foster career-oriented collaboration between community colleges and vocational technical schools, and health facilities to promote students’ wellbeing; 

·          $100 million toward the creation of housing and mixed-use developments on campus properties; 

·          $100 million to advance regional economic and workforce development through a competitive grant program for equipment and facilities for career technical education and training programs; 

·          $275 million for the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) Tower Building, where high priority critical repairs are needed; 

·          $80 million for campus energy efficiency and decarbonization; 

·          $50 million for a competitive grant program for capital improvements at public higher education campuses, including climate resilience upgrades; 

·          $30 million for campus master planning; and 

·          $20 million for technology improvements that support students and facilitate remote and hybrid learning. 

 

Additional details of the bill are available in a fact sheet in the Senate Press Room. 

 

The Senate passed the bill on a 38-0 roll call vote and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review. 

Senate Modernizes Unit Pricing Law to Support Small Businesses

 Senate Modernizes Unit Pricing Law to Support Small Businesses 

Measure helps small businesses combat the impacts of inflation 

 

(BOSTON—2/26/2026) The Massachusetts Senate passed legislation today to support neighborhood bodegas, convenience stores, and small family-owned grocery shops by modernizing the unit pricing law.  

 

The bill ensures that smaller retailers will continue to be exempt from unit pricing requirements. Unit pricing, while a useful price-comparison tool for shoppers at big box stores and supermarkets, could pose a burden for smaller corner stores where unit price shopping is unlikely to occur. 

 

“Running into your local store is more than just picking up a few things, it’s about seeing familiar faces and supporting a local business in your community,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “While we work on systemic ways to lower costs for resident and businesses, this is a straightforward, common-sense change that is going to help businessowners who are feeling the pinch. I applaud Senator Moore for driving this issue forward and am thankful to Chair Rodrigues and Chair Payano for their stewardship.” 

 

“Small businesses are the economic engine of the Massachusetts marketplace economy, and we need to continue to support them as they try to compete against larger grocery stores and chain outlets. This bill will help smaller convenience stores and neighborhood markets stay economically viable by removing sales of Lottery products and gift cards from the annual sales equation,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “With an ever-increasing proliferation of large-scale national chain grocery stores and big box retailers, supporting community stores will assist in leveling the playing field for our local community stores and markets.” 

 

Massachusetts has offered an exemption from unit pricing for more than two decades to retailers with lower sales volumes—defined as establishments that generate less than $5 million in in-store sales each year, including sales of Lottery products and gift cards. 

 

With the steady rise of inflation, introduction of higher-value Lottery products, and increased popularity of pre-paid gift cards, local businesses are more apt to exceed the exemption threshold. The legislation—S.2965, An Act updating the unit pricing exemption threshold—removes Lottery and gift card sales from the calculation of whether a store can be included in the statewide unit price exemption. 

 

During the course of today’s debate, Senators voted to amend the bill to codify an existing exemption that removes gasoline and other motor fuel sales from the calculation.  

 

“By exempting Lottery ticket and prepaid gift card sales from the unit pricing threshold calculation, we are helping ensure the financial health of our small, neighborhood convenience stores,” said Senator Pavel M. Payano (D-Lawrence), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. “As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, I was proud to help advance this update, which strikes the right balance between protecting consumers and supporting our small businesses.” 

 

“The unit pricing exemption is a simple way to cut expenses for small businesses and support the communities they serve. However, in the two decades since the policy was written into law, the $5 million revenue threshold for the exemption has remained the same while the cost of products has risen significantly,” said Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury), the bill’s lead sponsor. “This legislation makes small tweaks to how a store’s revenue is calculated to ensure the law continues to apply to the corner stores and small businesses it was originally intended to protect. I’d like to thank Senate President Karen Spilka and Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues for recognizing the importance of this issue for our local economies, as well as Senator Pavel Payano and his committee for upholding the spirit of consumer protection laws while making reasonable carveouts for small businessowners who are struggling in today’s economy.” 

 

The bill was reported to the full Senate by the Committee on Ways and Means with a 16-0 vote on February 23, 2026. All committee votes are posted on the Legislature’s website and full details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate Press Room. 

 

The Senate passed the bill on a 37-0

Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Early Literacy Training for Educators through Additional Literacy Launch Institutes

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Early Literacy Training for Educators through Additional Literacy Launch Institutes  

Summer opportunities open now for registration to serve up to 1,000 educators  

EVERETT – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the opening of registration for the Summer 2026 Literacy Launch Institutes, a statewide training opportunity focused on early literacy for educators working with children in pre-K through grade 3.

Part of the administration’s Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 initiative, the institutes provide hands-on, evidence-based professional learning to strengthen early literacy instruction. Launched in 2024, Literacy Launch remains a key pillar of Governor Healey’s investment in helping all children learn to read by third grade. Eligible educators can register for the institutes online.

In the summer of 2025, the first Literacy Launch Institutes reached over 500 educators. This year, the program has continued to serve educators in two weekend institutes in Worcester and Northampton. This summer’s four institutes will serve up to 1,000 more educators throughout the months of June, July and August. The summer 2026 schedule kicks off with institutes in Peabody and Marlborough in June. 

“It’s crucial for our teachers to have access to high-quality training to support all of their students,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These institutes give hundreds of teachers and school and child care leaders the opportunity to learn cutting-edge, evidence-based literacy practices.” 

“With Literacy Launch Institutes, we’re advancing our commitment to equitable literacy education in Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “Public school and community-based pre-K early literacy educators can participate at no cost and learn the most up-to-date research and tools to help students succeed.” 

Jointly offered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), Literacy Launch Institutes provide four full days of in-person training. Educators will learn how to integrate evidence-based and culturally sustaining literacy instruction in diverse classrooms. Any Massachusetts public school educator who supports literacy instruction in grades pre-K–3 is eligible to register at no cost until registration is full. This includes classroom teachers, special education teachers, English as a second language teachers, school principals and district leaders. Higher education faculty and leaders who train pre-service teachers in early literacy are also eligible, as are community-based preschool teachers.  

“When educators are equipped with high-quality training and sustained support, students thrive,” said Acting Education Secretary and Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “These institutes represent an important next step in building a literacy strategy that works for every learner.” 

“The first time we offered Literacy Launch Institutes, we had more demand than seats,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “I was thrilled to see how many educators—both new and experienced—participated, and I’m glad to offer more institutes in 2026.” 

Massachusetts-based HILL for Literacy will facilitate the institutes. Teams that complete the program may be eligible to apply for additional in-school support during the 2026–27 school year. Participants will earn Professional Development Points (PDPs), and certain participants are eligible to receive a stipend for successful completion of an institute. 

The FY26 state budget includes $15 million for Literacy Launch, supporting educator training, district grants, and teacher preparation program alignment. Governor Healey’s FY27 budget continues this investment in early literacy with $25 million for the third year of Literacy Launch.

哈佛、MIT台灣同學會攜手辦春酒 PK熱舞、競猜名人合體照場面爆笑

MIT台灣同學會長張浩揚（右起）、哈佛共會長林語萱和沈子耕（左一）感謝
波士頓經文處長官出席。右三起，教育組長黃薳玉，處長廖朝宏、科技組長蔡孟勳。
（周菊子攝）

                   (Boston Orange周菊子麻州劍橋市報導)哈佛大學和麻省理工學院（MIT）的台灣同學會，2月22日在哈佛Lehman廳合辦馬年“春酒”，破冰交流，麻將賓果，競猜合體肖像本尊及歌名歌手，PK熱舞還抽獎，逾百人歡聚，爆笑不斷，讓人讚嘆台灣學生聰慧，活潑，人人愛。

哈佛、MIT馬年春酒逾140人報名。（周菊子攝）

                  麻州各校的台灣同學會，在新冠病毒疫情後，一度青黃不接，有些學校的學生會還就消失了，無以傳承。波士頓經文處教育組和新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會（FTSANE）努力奔走數年後，這才漸漸恢復熱絡，其中哈佛大學和麻省理工學院更因為前輩學長推動的體育比賽，有了更頻繁互動。

                  哈佛大學同學會會長林語萱、沈子耕和麻省理工學院同學會會長張浩揚、林宴平率兩校同學會幹部籌辦的這場“馬年春酒”，還破紀錄的有至少140人報名，不少動作慢的人還搶不到入場券，懊悔不已。

                  這場春酒由哈佛前共會長陳曦和MIT

MIT台灣同學會長張浩揚（右起）、哈佛共會長林語萱和沈子耕攜手舉辦馬年春酒。
MIT另一名會長林宴平人不在波士頓，未能出席。（周菊子攝）

幹部陳夢薇穿著紅白配，喜氣洋洋主持。波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏，科技組組長蔡孟勳，教育組組長黃薳玉，麻省理工學院建築系教授邵書珩，哈佛甘迺迪政府學院訪問學者謝英哲等嘉賓及社團首長出席。

                  廖朝宏處長在致詞時指出，要爭取未來有遠大發展，在優秀學歷外，人脈更是關鍵，希望學生們跨出各自的專業領域，多參加不同領域活動，和不同文化背景人士交流，把握住可能的未來貴人。他還感性叮嚀同學記住台灣是大家的根。

                  

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏鼓勵同學多參加不同活動，建立更廣人脈。（周菊子攝）

教育組組長黃薳玉代表教育部向同學們送上「馬上安康」等祝福，並說明教育部30年來第一次的高教人才永續發展暨美國攬才計劃訪問團，將於3月2日晚上6點起，在波士頓市的希爾頓公園廣場（Hilton Boston Park Plaza）舉行，歡迎同學們踴躍參加。為助興，黃薳玉組長當晚還捐出3個紅包，供已報名參加攬才活動的同學們抽獎。

教育組組長黃薳玉（左一）請同學們先報名參加攬才會再抽獎。（周菊子攝）

                  蔡孟勳組長原本是台灣大學生物科技研究所所長，被國科會借調來波士頓當科技組組長。預定今年9月返台述職。他指出，台灣學術界急需人才，3月2日的教育部攬才團是同學們了解各校的好機會，他願意以他自己在台大當教授，在委員會負責審查的經驗，來協助同學修改求職文件。

科技組組長蔡孟勳願意幫同學修改履歷。（周菊子攝）

                  新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會（FTSANE），波士頓台灣人生物科技協會（BTBA），波士頓台灣影展協會（TFFB），紐英崙中華專業人士協會（NEACP）的會長，一一分享了各組織近況。

                  BTBA共會長楊志祥介紹該會已有14年歷史，今年7月18、19兩日的年會，將以「言詞鏗鏘有力：超越語言的流利表達(Speaking with Impact: Fluency beyond Language)」為主題，講者包括BeOne醫藥的全球項目管理資深副總裁Stephen Cho和哈佛醫學院免疫系系主任Arlene Sharpe等人，希望關注生物科技的同學及業界人士關注。

全場最火爆節目是MIT和哈佛熱舞PK。（周菊子攝）

                  FTSANE會長李典璋說明該會25日晚在波士頓大學也將舉辦一場“春酒”，3月4日和波士頓經文處，以及哈佛大學費正清中心合作，放映「看不見的國家（Invisible Nation）」，並邀請導演Vanessa Hope出席座談。

蔡孟勳組長、廖朝宏處長嘉許年輕的中華專協會長靳嚴博出來服務。（周菊子攝）

                  TFFB共會長林致中和蔡景全預告該會將於4月份舉辦春季影展，訂4月4日（週六）和藝術愛默生（ArtsEmerson）合作，放映金馬獎得獎影片「我家的事」，4月7日（週五）在尚默維爾市（Somerville）放映「大濛」。他們還帶了2組電影票，作為抽獎品。

BTBA共會長楊志祥預告該會年會7月18、19兩日舉行。（周菊子攝）

                  NEACP新任會長靳嚴博表示他自己7年前來到美國，從哈佛畢業後，做過研究員，現在自己開公司，做諮詢及投資。在學長的鼓勵下，他也希望自己能為來自台灣的年輕人出力。他還藉由自己在麥肯錫顧問公司做事時看到的印度裔提攜同胞的一個小故事，提點來自台灣同學，人脈和經驗對事業發展同樣重要。他鼓勵同學們2月28日到波士頓華埠的華人經濟發展協會大樓，參加中華專協的元宵慶祝會。

新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會（TCCNE）會長賴怡音，紐英崙玉山科技協會（MJNE）會長許益祥，以及麻省理工學院同學會顧問陳韋同，在抽獎環節，一一上台為他們帶去的獎品抽出中獎者。

                  哈佛、MIT這兩校同學會在策劃這場馬年春晚時，顯然十分用心，不僅珍珠奶茶，燕窩飲品和中式美食，點心準備得十分充足，還安排有劉昕

TFFB共會長蔡景全（右一）和林致中（左一）送出電影票。（周菊子攝）

甯、蔡煜陽、高名震的鋼琴與大小提琴三重奏，個人演唱，把蔡英文和賴清德，張忠謀和郭台銘，黃仁勳和Elon Musk等人的肖像照片合成一體，要現場觀眾猜是用哪兩個人的照片合成的，把台下眾人笑得東倒西歪。

                  當然最讓人驚艷的還是哈佛和MIT的PK熱舞。哈佛的徐璟承、鍾寧真、葉卉榛熱舞一段Golden，MIT的劉正心、宋致遠、蘇琮凱跳一曲Soda Pop後，兩隊在合舞Uptown Funk

FTSANE會長李典璋預告3月4日放映「看不見的國家」。

，跳得有板有眼，還把兩校同學會的橫幅拿出來打頭陣，全場頓時熱情洋溢，各自加油，搖曳手機的手電筒燈光助陣，煞是熱鬧。

                  節目有趣，交流熱絡的這場春酒，最後在主辦單位派發每人一份，內裝刮刮樂彩券一張的紅包中歡喜落幕。

玉山科協會長許益祥（又）送出抽獎品。

MIT的宋致遠（又）抽中TCCNE會長賴怡音送出的抽獎品。

劉煜陽（左起）、高名震、劉昕甯表演三重奏。

MIT同學會顧問陳韋同也送出抽獎品。（周菊子攝）

哈佛同學會前會長黃玉婷（左）也贊助抽獎品。

哈佛前會長姚俊辰（左起），還在念大學的蘇寯祐，MIT學生會顧問陳韋同（中）
等同學圍桌聚餐。（周菊子攝）

司儀陳曦、陳夢葳的一身紅白搭配，喜氣十足。（周菊子攝）

哈佛甘迺迪政府學院訪問學者謝英哲和廖朝宏處長來張自拍。

你猜得出來嗎？

沈子耕把他的Meta眼鏡借給蔡孟勳組長試試。

台下搶答踴躍。