Striking Custodians Return to Work as Harvard and Union Resume Negotiations

 Striking Custodians Return to Work as Harvard and Union Resume Negotiations

 One-day strikes concluded; custodians return to posts without incident

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – All the custodians who participated in one-day strikes across Harvard University on Monday and Tuesday have now returned to work, and the workers’ bargaining committee has agreed to resume negotiations on contracts covering over 800 custodians who maintain dorms, classrooms, administrative centers and other buildings across Harvard.  As of Wednesday morning, management and the workers’ union, 32BJ SEIU, have agreed to meet in two bargaining sessions at Harvard, scheduled for later today and tomorrow.  Bargaining committee members are hopeful that the university will agree to a contract with a wage increase that will help them rise above the cost of living, protect their health benefits, and provide added protections to immigrant workers.

“I have been a cleaner at Harvard for 14 years, and I hope we will negotiate a strong contract that will allow me to continue here for many more years,” said Mario Arevalo, a custodian at Harvard Law School. “I was out on Harvard Yard with my coworkers on Monday, and the experience helped us grow even more determined to win a good contract.”

“We look forward to returning to the table to negotiate an agreement that lets these essential workers get ahead of the terrible affordability crisis that has hurt working people across the country,” said 32BJ SEIU Executive Vice President Kevin Brown, who heads the union in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “The decision to call the strikes was our committee’s unanimous response to management’s intransigence last week, and we hope we can now move forward productively. We thank Cambridge City Councilors Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, Burhan Azeem, and Councilor-Elect Ayah Al-Zubi for joining us at the Harvard Business School campus yesterday. We thank the students who put together a petition that drew hundreds of supporting signatures literally overnight. And we thank the many members of various unions and student organizations who joined us in support over these past two days. I am extremely proud of the hundreds of 32BJ members who walked off their jobs for the day to send a clear message. Now, the bargaining committee will do everything we can to negotiate an agreement that improves conditions for hundreds of people whose importance to the world’s most renowned university is too often ignored, yet whose demand for dignity rang loud and clear over the last two days.”

Healey-Driscoll Administration Proposes New Pathways to Educator Licensure

Healey-Driscoll Administration Proposes New Pathways to Educator Licensure  Updates to regulations continue Massachusetts’ efforts to diversify the teacher workforce   EVERETT – The Healey-Driscoll Administration is proposing a new pathway to educator licensure designed to expand access to the profession and build a more diverse and effective workforce. This new option would allow eligible aspiring educators to waive one of the two tests that comprise the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) by demonstrating related skills and competencies in other ways. The proposal comes from the Mass Leads Act that Governor Maura Healey signed in November 2024.  “Massachusetts is home to the best teachers in the nation,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By expanding access to entering the teaching profession, whether through a portfolio, educator prep programs or higher education opportunities, we are able to bring in even more talented educators, particularly in some of our highest need schools and districts.”  “Massachusetts has high standards for teachers, and we know that not everyone demonstrates their knowledge in the same way or comes to the profession with the same experiences,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “I’m excited that this proposal would offer aspiring educators new pathways into teaching.”  Today, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to send the proposal (download) out for public comment.   The Mass Leads Act included language for the development of an alternative licensure pathway that would allow a teacher candidate to waive one of the licensure tests based on possible consideration of certification in another state, completing a portfolio of items, obtaining a relevant master’s degree or doctorate, completing an educator preparation program, or two years of field-based experience.   “I want to thank Commissioner Martinez and his team, the entire external advisory group and the Board for today’s exciting and important step toward making our teacher workforce even stronger,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Research shows us students perform better when they have teachers who look like them and understand where they come from. Bolstering a diverse K-12 teacher pipeline is critical to preparing every student for success.”  “Our goal is to put effective teachers in front of every student,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “As we work to build a stronger teacher pipeline, this proposal would offer a measure of reasonable flexibility while maintaining high standards.”   The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) convened an internal working group and an external advisory group to advise on the pathway. The Department engaged other stakeholder groups and individuals this spring. Over 200 stakeholders have discussed and provided feedback on the proposal.  While students of color comprise more than 45 percent of Massachusetts public school enrollment, educators of color make up only 10 percent of the state’s teaching workforce. Expanding entry points to the profession is a critical step toward closing this gap and achieving equity in education.   This proposal builds on the proposed changes the administration made in February to establish alternative assessments to the MTEL, creating a broader range of pathways for aspiring teachers that will ultimately strengthen and diversify the state’s educator workforce. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education unanimously voted to make those MTEL alternatives permanent.  Details on how to submit public comment will be posted on DESE’s public comment page. DESE is accepting public comment on the proposal through January 20.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Education Officials Issue Statements Condemning Further Dismantling of U.S. Department of Education

Healey-Driscoll Administration Education Officials Issue Statements Condemning Further Dismantling of U.S. Department of Education 

 

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration issued the following statements today in response to the decision by the Trump Administration to move several offices and programs currently housed within the U.S. Department of Education into other federal agencies. This follows President Trump’s March Executive Order to close the U.S. Department of Education.  

 

Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler: 

"From Day One, President Trump has attempted to sow chaos and fear while diminishing the role and capacity of the U.S. Department of Education. I believe the decision to transition several critical offices into other federal agencies — including one which administers K-12 grants programs – is dangerous and raises serious concerns for students, families, and educators across Massachusetts and the rest of the country. In the last few months, President Trump has recklessly withheld federal education funding, fired federal education workers and shuttered key offices, like the Office for Civil Rights in Boston. This latest move weakens the Department of Education’s ability to act swiftly when students’ rights and futures are at stake. We will continue to fight for every student to have access to a high-quality public education and equitable access to affordable higher education opportunities.”  

 

Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw: 

"The continued dismantling of long-standing educational structures and programs that support access to high-quality learning environments for all children is already having destabilizing and devastating effects for families, communities, and our economy. In Massachusetts, our commitment to educational access and opportunity from cradle to career remains steadfast." 

 

Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez:  

“While not unexpected, Tuesday’s announcement is disappointing and devalues the critical role that education plays in building a strong future for our country. Our students and educators need a supportive federal education agency, and I have serious concerns about how future federal grants and supports will be handled. I want families to know that in Massachusetts, we will continue to ‘cherish’ our public schools, as required in our state’s constitution.” 

 

Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega:  

“The U.S. Department of Education has a legacy of helping people from all backgrounds achieve the American Dream, and the dismantling of this agency is a loss for communities, economies, workforces, individuals, and families across the country. If something is a priority, then someone should be put in charge of it, and the dismantling of ED shows little value for giving people opportunities to grow their skills and earnings through affordable, accessible, high-quality post-secondary education. Here in Massachusetts, higher education opportunity and success remain a top priority, and while this work will be more challenging without ED’s historic partnership, it’s also increasingly important.”   

 

加拿大白雲杉聖誕樹運到了 波士頓市長親迎訂12/4亮燈

波士頓市長吳弭（中）和加拿大駐波士頓總領事Bernadette Jordan （左），
聖誕老人一起歡迎從加拿大來的聖誕樹抵達。（周菊子攝）

             (Boston Orange周菊子波士頓綜合報導)波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）飛到加拿大，親自動手砍的聖誕樹，今（18）日中午正式運抵波士頓廣場，待豎起後，將於12月4日晚的7點55分，在波士頓市年度聖誕點燈儀式中亮起。

波士頓市長吳弭說波士頓和哈利法克斯友誼深厚。（周菊子攝）

            波士頓市長吳弭和加拿大駐波士頓總領事Bernadette Jordan，波士頓市公園及娛樂局代理局長Cathy Baker-Eclipse，聖誕老人等，站在這株來自加拿大Nova Scotia的聖誕樹前，向圍觀群眾述說兩市之間的這段已長達108年之久的友誼，以及第54年的贈樹由來。

          這要回溯到1917年，加拿大哈利法克斯（Halifax）港口炮彈爆炸，波士頓緊急馳援後，盧倫堡（Lunenburg）郡的Joseph Slauenwhite在1971年送出第一株聖誕樹給波士頓，以示感謝。

來自加拿大的聖誕樹躺在平板卡車上運抵。（周菊子攝）

            吳弭作為歷年來第一位應邀飛往加拿大，親自參與砍樹儀式的波士頓市長，還參訪了迦納大的創新、參與及研究港（PIER），健康創新樞紐（Health Innovation Hub）。她還特地全家五口人趁機渡假，在11月9日至12日之間，一起見證象徵兩市友誼的年度活動。

            加拿大駐波士頓總領事Bernadette Jordan今天在致詞時也說，她很幸運地和波士頓市長一起出席了在加拿大的「波士頓之樹」砍伐儀式。

聖誕樹有公園騎警護送。（周菊子攝）

            哈利法克斯地區市政市長Andy Fillmore說，哈利法克斯和波士頓市的友誼綿延了一世紀多，在哈利法克斯爆炸的最黑暗時刻，波士頓市伸手來援，兩市友誼就此捆綁，日益深厚。他很期待12月時到波士頓探訪，同慶聖誕節。

波士頓聖誕樹亮燈儀式訂12/4晚舉行。

            加拿大今年送給波士頓的聖誕樹是一株高45英尺的白雲杉，由新斯科舍（Nova Scotia）盧倫堡郡的Ronald 和 Claire Feener所提名，在11月18日早上11點，由騎警護衛的平板卡車運到波士頓廣場。波士頓市府公園及娛樂局特地安排了聖誕老人到場與民眾同樂，還有人在現場派發拐杖糖。

            波士頓市的聖誕亮燈儀式將於12月4日晚6到8點，在波士頓廣場的波士頓遊客中心旁舉行。聖誕樹預定在7點55分點亮。WCVB電視台將從晚上7點起開始現場轉播點燈儀式。

            查詢波士頓市聖誕樹亮燈儀式活動，可上網boston.gov/holidaylights，或電洽 (617)-635-4505。

昆士市標榜二位總統誕生地 剪綵啟用John Quincy Adams公園

左起，聯邦眾議員Stephen F. Lynch，昆士市長 Tom Koch，雕塑家Sergey Eylanbekov，
歷史學家 Edward Fitzgerald博士，亞當斯總統中心董事長 Kurt Graham博士
為約翰昆市亞當斯公園剪綵。（圖片來自昆士市府臉書）

             （Boston Orange綜合編譯）昆士市在11月15日剪綵，啟用了紀念美國第六任總統的約翰昆士亞當斯（John Quincy Adams）公園，以及其雕像，重新強調了麻州昆士市（Quincy）是全美唯一誕生過2名美國總統城市的這一重要歷史事實。

            座落在昆士市政府面前，耗資3200萬元整建的漢考克亞當斯廣場 （Hancock-Adams Common），現在有了更完整，在美國歷史中佔有重要地位的昆士市歷史人物雕像，包括美國第2任總統約翰亞當斯，其夫人Abigail Adams，第6任總統約翰坤是亞當斯，以及第一個簽署美國獨立宣言的約翰漢考克（John Hancock）。

            這天出席剪綵儀式的有昆士市長柯奇（Tom Koch），聯邦眾議員Steven Lynch，昆士歷史協會榮休主任Edward Fitzgerald和逾百居民。

            紀念公園的一大重點是約翰昆士亞當斯雕像，由俄裔美籍雕塑家Sergey Eylanbekov製作，耗資48萬5千元。約翰昆士亞當斯的雕像，穿著簡單長褲，站在一張放有書籍的小桌前，藉以突顯他的學識淵博，性格謙遜。公園內還安置了4塊青銅浮雕版，記錄了他一生中的重要時刻，包括在1825到1829年間擔任第6任美國總統，談判出「根特條約(Treaty of Ghent)」，促成1812年戰爭的結束，擔任國務卿時在塑造「門羅主義（Monroe Doctrine）」上的作用，晚年時在國會中成為「雄辯老人（Old Man Eloquent）」為反對奴隸制發聲。

            昆士市長柯奇表示，約翰亞當斯及其夫人Abigail 亞當斯和他們的兒子，約翰昆士亞當斯這3人，都安葬在漢考克亞當斯廣場內的聯合第一教區教堂，如今也都在漢考克廣場內有了雕像，有如為昆士市保存了更完整的歷史，也讓人更清楚昆士市在美國建國歷史中的重要性。

            柯奇還指出，無論是約翰亞當斯還是約翰昆士亞當斯，他們在事關美國的重要議題上，經常極具「原則性」的與自己所屬黨派有不同意見，並提醒人們要「首先作為一個美國人」，這理念在當今政黨兩極化的政治氛圍中，尤其具有警示作用。

            昆士歷史協會榮休主任Edward Fitzgerald說，約翰昆士亞當斯是美國歷史中，重要性最被低估的人物之一，為他建公園，是遲來的致敬，他在美國革命一代和後人之間，有著關鍵性的聯繫，他當年面對的議題，如今又再次成為美國人的議題。

            約翰昆士亞當斯公園的座落地點，在1384漢考克街（Hancock）上，原本是Acapulcos家庭餐廳及酒吧。昆士市政府以240萬元購買，90萬元搬遷的330萬元總價，取得這大約5125平方英尺，或大約1.2公畝的地塊，來建造紀念約翰昆士亞當斯的“口袋公園”。

波士頓公校宣佈計劃關閉2所高中1所小學

             (Boston Orange編譯)波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）和公校總監Mary Skipper週一（11月17日）提案，在2027-2028學年內關閉2所高中，以及1所小學，10年內關閉約20所學校，把學校總數降至95所。

這是吳弭政府改革學校系統，縮小學區，以因應新冠病毒疫情後，人們遷出波士頓市，出生率下降，全美在嚴厲打擊移民導致學習英語者離開學校系統，註冊入學人數減少等情況的第3波行動，一但落實，將有850名學生因學校關門而受影響，另有1500名學生所就讀的學校將重整，公校系統預算估計可節省2000萬元。

吳弭和Mary Skipper強調，提案關閉及重整學校，不是要省錢，而是要讓學校運作得更好。

她們建議關閉的學校是Lee Academy、Another Course to College 和 Community Academy of Science and Health，計畫要重組的學校是 William E. Russell School、Tobin Elementary School 和 Henderson K-12 Inclusion School。

官員們表示，學校行政人員將在週三晚的學校委員會會議上，正式提出計畫，打算關閉的學校有Lee Academy這所幼稚園到3年級，共有195名學生的學校，有253名學生註冊的Course to College，以及有398名學生的科學及健康社區學校（Community Academy of Science and Health）。

計畫還包括要重新建構3所學校，要讓目前為幼稚園學前班到5年級學生服務的William E. Russell學校增加6年級，刪除Tobin小學的7和8s延吉，把大樓改成一所幼稚園學前班到小學6年級的學校。有幼稚園到12年級的Henderson包容學校將改成幼稚園學前班到8年級的學校。

波士頓公校總監Mary Skipper表示，“我想要說清楚，當討論到關閉，合併或重整架構時，說的不僅只是學位而已”。

波士頓公校在2019年時，學生人數超過53,000。2023年在新冠病毒疫情期間，註冊入學人數揍將至48,000。去年新移民學生穩定了註冊入學人數的下降。但是根據學區數據，波士頓公校這個學年的人數卻降得更多，來到46,800左右。

今時今日的波士頓公校學區，和上世紀相比小得多。2003年波士頓公校都還有62,000名學生註冊，縮減幅度簡直就等於整個羅爾（Lowell）學校系統了。

作為2022年避免波士頓公校被接管的條件之一，麻州政府和波士頓學區簽署的改善協議，要求建立一個長期的設施規劃。

波士頓公校現有109所學校，已經比2023-2024學年的114所學校為少。去年宣佈的關閉計畫，是要在2026-2027學年時，把學校總數降至104所。

週一宣佈的關閉及重整計劃，直到2027-2028學年前，不會實施。

波士頓教師工會會長Erik Berg聽說此事後，立即公開抨擊，要求波士頓公校在重整任何設施時，現代化其建築物。

波士頓學校委員會主席Jeri Robinson拒絕就此事發表意見。

波士頓公校週一是在和波士頓市議會會晤，討論2027會計年度預算，公校系統的經費估計為17億元多之後，做了前述宣佈。

波士頓市議員Liz Breadon在公聽會上，要求波士頓公校提出長期的學校建築物計畫，包括經費，執行日期，以及優先項目等。他說，基於波士頓公校從2013年以來，換了7名學校總監，再加上新冠病毒疫情的影響，波士頓學區必須仔細說明計畫。

波士頓學區財務長David Bloom指著學區在大約文件2年前公佈的一份文件，作為回應。

波士頓政策研究院（Boston Policy Institute）執行主任Gregory Maynard表示，波士頓公校在公聽會之後宣佈關閉學校計畫，是不給市議員們提問機會。

波士頓市長吳弭感謝合作夥伴 「大波士頓合作食物資源中心」將加碼營運

波士頓市長吳弭（左二）宣佈「大波士頓合作食物資源中心」
營運一年的成果。麻州參議員Liza Miranda (左起），波士頓市議會議長
Ruthzee Louijeune和麻州眾議員John Moran紛紛祝賀。（周菊子攝）

          （Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導）波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）率同政要與8合作夥伴代表，今（17）早公佈「大波士頓合作食物資源中心（Greater Boston Collaborative Food Access Hub）」過去一年來的工作成績，感謝波士頓基金會等機構，讓波士頓市因應SNAP危機的款項，共增加320萬元。

波士頓市長吳弭表示，將加碼保障民眾食物不虞匱乏。（周菊子攝）

「大波士頓合作食物資源中心」是一個位於Roxbury，北安普頓（Northampton）街30號，佔地 27,000 平方英尺，內涵5,500平方英尺冷藏和冷凍空間 的倉庫，由大波士頓基督教青年會（YMCA of Greater Boston）管理，和8 個非牟利機構合作，從食品製造和分銷公司獲取原本會浪費的食物，並擴大新鮮農產品的供應，以達成反貧困、回收、儲存和分發新鮮健康的食物，協助民眾解決食物匱乏，可能無以果腹的危機。

大波士頓基督教青年會總裁兼執行長David Shapiro說明和8個夥伴合作情況。
（周菊子攝）

該中心是根據 2024 年 11 月 發佈的《食物正義辦公室食物回收評估報告》所提建議成立的。波士頓市議會在2024 年 3 月 撥出200萬元聯邦《美國救援計畫法案（ARPA）》，啟動這一項目，麻州總醫院布萊根（Mass General Brigham）在 2025 年 9 月 ，又再承諾5年 捐300 萬美元 。

宣佈會給出的數據包括，「大波士頓合作食物資源中心」營運一年以來，平均每月為2萬人服務，每週分發6萬2千磅農產品，一年共分發170萬鎊食物，約等於150萬份餐食。

大波士頓合作食物資源中心夥伴們合影。（周菊子攝）

在這一年期間，他們回收了大約16萬4千磅原本會被浪費的食物，等於是從開往垃圾場的路上，拯救了4輛拖車的食物。

自從聯邦政府關門，食物補助券（SNAP）出現停發危機後，波士頓市政府和波士頓基金會共募得320萬美元，用於因應這場危機，這筆錢中有100萬元是在計畫啟動時投入的，迄今發給“大波士頓食物銀行”和60多個食物儲藏室，社區組織的款項，已超過200萬元。

大波士頓基督教青年會（YMCA

大波士頓基督教青年會有2輛流動卡車，載送食物到不同地點，方便人們拿取食物果腹。
（周菊子攝）

）將和十多個夥伴合作，發放1萬多張禮品卡，讓居民到雜貨店購買食物。

波士頓市府表示，波士頓市的雜貨價格，高居全國最高之列，波士頓市內的住家，企業和工商業，每年約浪費13萬噸食物，佔所有廢棄物的25%，藉由「大波士頓合作食物資源中心」居間協調，相信今後可以大幅減少這些浪費。

食物正義辦公室已撥出總數50萬元的共12筆補助金，協助鄰里非營利組織採購，擴大冷藏設備。大波士頓基督教青年會也將和合作夥伴開發新試點，從2026年起以創新的雜貨店風格，設立新鮮食物分發中心。

大波士頓基督教青年會（YMCA of Greater Boston）總裁兼執行長David Shapiro，麻州參議員Liz Miranda，麻州眾議員John Moran，波士頓市議會議長Ruthzee Louijeune等人，今天都特地出席，以示支持人民的食物安全。

Columbus Park Trellis Lighting November 24

  Columbus Park Trellis Lighting November 24

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park will host the 23rd annual holiday lighting of the trellis at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End on Monday, November 24, at 5 p.m.

Located at 110 Atlantic Avenue on Boston’s historic waterfront, Christopher Columbus Park will be transformed into a beautiful holiday display when the park and its trellis are illuminated with 50,000 blue lights.

The celebration is sponsored by H.P. Hood, LLC and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park.  

The trellis lighting ceremony at Columbus Park will feature a festive lineup of entertainment, with performances by students and instructors from the North End Music and Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC). Guests will enjoy holiday classics from Grammy Award Winning Artist Joelle James and Northeastern University a cappella group, Pitch, Please!, will deliver unique renditions of holiday favorites. Special guests Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will make an appearance, delighting children and adults alike. 

Refreshments will include eggnog from H.P. Hood, clam chowder from Joe's Waterfront, and hot chocolate and cookies from the Boston Marriott Long Wharf. Visitors can also enjoy holiday arts and crafts led by local artists. 

Other 2025 holiday celebrations hosted by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department include the lighting of the ship in Martin’s Park at the Children’s Wharf Harborwalk on November 29, the Copley Square Tree Lighting on December 1, and the Boston Common tree lighting followed by the lighting of the trees on Commonwealth Avenue Mall on December 4. 

Visit boston.gov/holidaylights for more information about the season’s festivities. To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks visit boston.gov/parks, call (617) 635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky

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

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

Registration now open for early literacy professional development 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the opening of registration for the second year of Literacy Launch Institutes, a statewide program that provides early literacy training for educators working with children in pre-K through grade 3. Over the summer, the first Literacy Launch Institutes reached over 500 school and community-based preschool program educators and higher education early literacy faculty. 

Part of Governor Healey’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. Literacy Launch remains a key pillar of the state’s investment in helping all children learn to read by third grade. Eligible educators can register for the institutes online.   

“It’s crucial for our teachers to have access to high-quality early literacy training to support all of their students,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These institutes give hundreds of teachers and school leaders the opportunity to learn cutting-edge, evidence-based literacy practices at no cost.” 

“With Literacy Launch Institutes, we’re advancing our commitment to high-quality literacy education in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Any public school early literacy educator can participate at no cost and learn the most up-to-date research and tools to help students succeed.” 

This year, the Literacy Launch Institutes will serve up to 1,300 educators across four summer institutes and two Friday/Saturday institutes held during the school year. The 2026 schedule of institutes kicks off with trainings in Worcester and Northampton in January, February and March. 

“It was great to attend the first Literacy Launch Institutes over the summer, and I am pleased we are able to offer more sessions this year,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “When teachers have access to strong training and ongoing support, students thrive. These institutes represent the next step in our efforts to build a literacy system that works for every child.” 

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 some community-based preschool teachers.  

Massachusetts-based HILL for Literacy will facilitate the institutes. Teams that complete the program will 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 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.”  

“Early educators play a critical role in building the foundation for lifelong reading success, and these institutes provide the tools and training to support young learners,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “The Administration’s investment in high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction helps ensure each child in Massachusetts has the opportunity to be a confident, capable reader.” 

The FY26 state budget included $15 million for Literacy Launch, supporting educator training, district grants, and teacher preparation program alignment. 

波士頓市的聖誕樹18日從加拿大抵達

CITY OF BOSTON’S OFFICIAL TREE ARRIVES NOVEMBER 18

BOSTON – Monday, November 17, 2025 – Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that the annual gift of an evergreen Christmas tree from Nova Scotia is scheduled to arrive by police escort at Boston Common at approximately 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 18.  This marks the 54th year of the annual tree donation, celebrating 108 years of friendship between Boston and Nova Scotia. The tradition honors the people of Boston for their emergency assistance following the devastating 1917 munitions explosion in Halifax Harbor. The first "Tree for Boston" was donated in 1971 by Joseph Slauenwhite from Lunenburg County. “It was an honor and delight to join our neighbors in Nova Scotia last week to deliver our thanks and support from Boston as this special tree started its journey. Our two communities share a special bond that continues to be strengthened year after year through this holiday tradition and our ongoing partnership,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The Boston Common tree lighting is a treasured event that has brought families together in holiday cheer for more than a century, and I look forward to an even warmer celebration this year.” “Halifax’s friendship with Boston spans centuries," said Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Andy Fillmore. “At our darkest hour after the Halifax Explosion, Boston was there. Our bond is forged by history and strengthened through tradition. I was very pleased to meet Mayor Wu in Halifax, and look forward to seeing her in Boston in December.” Boston’s official 2025 tree is a 45-foot-tall white spruce nominated by Ronald and Claire Feener of Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. The tree will arrive at Boston Common on Tuesday, November 18 at 11 a.m. by flatbed truck. The public is welcome to cheer the tree’s arrival with candy canes and an appearance by Santa. Interim Boston Parks and Recreation Commissioner Cathy Baker-Eclipse, Santa Claus, the Boston Park Rangers, and local school children will greet the tree at its final destination near the Boston Visitors Center at 139 Tremont Street. The tree will be lit at approximately 7:55 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, as the City of Boston’s official tree lighting is celebrated on Boston Common from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The ceremony will be broadcast live on WCVB Channel 5 starting at 7 p.m. The annual tree lighting on Boston Common is presented by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and title sponsor, The Province of Nova Scotia. The event is supported by presenting sponsor Amazon, signature sponsor Meet Boston, key sponsors Constellation Power and JetBlue, and media sponsors WCVB Channel 5 and the Boston Globe.  On Sunday, November 9th, Mayor Michelle Wu and her family visited Nova Scotia, Canada, to highlight the continuing partnership between the City of Boston and Province of Nova Scotia. During the visit, Mayor Wu participated in the Tree for Boston tree cutting ceremony — becoming the first Boston Mayor to attend and participate in the ceremony for Boston’s iconic holiday staple. In addition to participating in the tree cutting ceremony, Mayor Wu met with Canadian Officials, exchanged gifts with Halifax Mayor Andy Filmore, visited Port Innovation, Engagement and Research (PIER), and toured the Health Innovation Hub. Additional photos from the visit are available here. Visit boston.gov/holidaylights for more information about the season’s festivities. To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks visit boston.gov/parks, call (617)-635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky.

波士頓市老人局招聘兼職耆英社區大使

             (Boston Orange)波士頓老人局（Boston Age Strong Commission）今（17）日宣佈，招聘15名耆英社區大使（Age Strong Community Ambassadors），每週10小時的兼職，幫助波士頓市府聯繫未受到充分照顧的社區民眾。

            波士頓市老人局將把大使分成3組，每組5人，目前正招聘與拉丁裔（ Latinx），同性戀（ LGBTQIA），華裔，索馬利亞（Somali）和佛得角（Cabo Verdean）社區關係緊密的.第1組5名耆英。

            波士頓老人局耆英社區大使這兼職工作，時薪25元，每週工作10小時，需要主持聚會，和居民交談，參加鄰里會議，和人聯繫，並加強關係。波士頓老人局會提供培訓。

           查詢海報，可點擊Click here ，下在波士頓老人局的職務說明，可點擊Click here，申請這工作，可點擊Click here。查詢更多詳情可上網，或致電617-635-2451洽Jordan Rich，發電郵ageambassador@boston.gov.。