MAYOR MICHELLE WU DELIVERS FIRST EVER STATE OF THE SCHOOLS SPEECH

MAYOR MICHELLE WU DELIVERS FIRST EVER STATE OF THE SCHOOLS SPEECH

BOSTON - Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - This evening Mayor Michelle Wu delivered the first ever State of the Schools address to showcase the Boston Public School’s progress under the leadership of Superintendent Mary Skipper. Mayor Wu made a call to action for every sector of the city to invest in Boston’s success by stepping up for our families and our future. Mayor Wu’s goal is to connect every resource in the city to create opportunity, support, and accountability for every student to thrive. Under Superintendent Skipper’s leadership, BPS has made substantial progress for our students. This includes implementing the inclusive education plan, expanding Boston Pre-K, driving down chronic absenteeism across every grade level and student group, launching 16 new bilingual education programs, expanding early college and career pathways, and carrying out the long term facilities plan. During the speech, Mayor Wu announced a citywide goal to provide quality, enriching before- and after-school programming at every BPS school. The district is starting with new afterschool programs at each of the 20 community hub schools, in partnership with the BTU, YMCA, United Way, and the Lubin Family Foundation. Ensuring every school has before and after programming is critical for working parents to guarantee there is no gap in care between the end of the student’s school day and the end of the parent's work day. Currently, 83% of schools offer before or after school programs. Additionally, building on an announcement from the 2025 State of the City Address, Mayor Wu tonight announced the launch of Wicked Math, a new partnership with EdVestors, The Young People’s Project, and The Calculus Project to start advanced math clubs, strengthen math pathways, and train juniors and seniors to tutor middle school students. Wicked Math aims to address the shortage of opportunities for Boston Public School students who enjoy math or have demonstrated a high aptitude for it by providing opportunities for them to engage with math inside and outside of the classroom. These programs launched this school year. Wicked Math is currently offered across 20 schools in three ways: Math Clubs led by teachers provides students with the opportunity to participate in math league and math olympiad competitions while refining their math skills. Young People’s Project (YPP) builds a culture of math and mentoring throughout a school community by hiring juniors and seniors to tutor 7th & 8th graders. The Calculus Project uses research-supported strategies to increase the representation and success of minority and low-income students in advanced mathematics.  Telescope Network will work with The Young People Project, and The Calculus Project to provide a professional development learning lab for teachers to support expansion of this programming. Lastly, Mayor Wu announced the expansion of Great Starts, allowing parents and families to register online for Boston Public Schools in 10 languages for the first time ever. With Great Starts, families no longer need to visit a BPS Welcome Center. Great Starts is a citywide enrollment platform co-created by the Office of Early Childhood and Boston Public Schools in partnership with a number of state agencies and community-based partners. This platform offers families a streamlined, simplified dashboard of their school options in the City of Boston, including childcare, preschool, and Boston Public Schools. Through Great Starts, families can explore programs based on what matters most to their family: the size of the program/school, location, hours that match your work schedule, and the activities that will help your child thrive.  Mayor Wu’s first ever State of the Schools address showcased progress made by the district, while emphasizing there is more work to be done. In a moment when public education is being undermined by the federal administration, Mayor Wu is focused on making the oldest public school district in the country the first choice for families in Boston. The remarks as prepared can be found here.  ### Fact sheet The district is making progress under the leadership of Superintendent Mary Skipper. Every spring, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) publishes an accountability percentile for every district in the Commonwealth. The percentile takes into account both MCAS performance and growth. Districts in the bottom 10% may be designated as chronically underperforming and placed into receivership.  From 2015-2023, Boston ranged from the 5th to 8th percentile. (Aspects of the accountability system were suspended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.) In 2024, Boston jumped to the 20th percentile. In its District Analysis and Review Tools (DART), DESE compares Boston to 10 comparable districts based on grades span, total enrollment, and special populations. Boston’s accountability percentile is higher than all 10 of its peers. Getting the operational details right so students can thrive in classrooms. Transportation More buses arrived on time in September and October of this year than ever before, with yesterday morning, October 27, day 37 of the school year, having the best on time performance (OTP) of the year at 96%.  Last year, BPS Transportation did not see 96% OTP until day 58.  By the end of 2025, BPS Transportation’s school bus fleet will include 94 electric school buses. Food Since 2022, BPS has overhauled its meals program, and is now serving fresh meals cooked on-site in 107 school buildings. Today, 96% of meals are being made freshly in house by BPS kitchen staff.  Previously, many schools –– because they lacked the kitchen facilities and/or the food service staff – served vended meals, preventing students from accessing the culturally diverse menus designed by BPS staff, in partnership with students and families.  More than 15% of school meal ingredients are locally sourced, and BPS is on track to meet its goal of 30%.  Sixteen school buildings do not have either the kitchen facilities or enough student demand to cook meals from scratch on-site, but through targeted renovations of the BPS Central Kitchen facility in Dorchester, Food and Nutrition Services will soon begin cooking and packaging meals in-house and delivering to these locations.  The Central Kitchen is expected to re-launch its food preparation operations by the end of 2025, gradually scaling up to produce 1,000 meals per day. Centralizing food production will also bring about substantial cost savings.  Air conditioning In 2021, only 32% of BPS schools had working air conditioning, primarily in newer buildings with central HVAC systems. Now, 92% of BPS schools have air conditioning, as the District continues to work on the remaining, with several schools currently in design for HVAC systems. Historic investments in school facilities In the last four years, Mayor Wu and Superintendent Skipper launched more major school building projects than Boston has had in the previous 40 years, combined.  Launched prior to 2021, but completed during Mayor Wu’s administration: Boston Arts Academy (2022) Josiah Quincy Upper School (2024) Carter School (2025) Launched under Mayor Wu’s administration: Horace Mann School (2024) PJ Kennedy Elementary School (2025) Sarah Roberts Elementary (2025) Shaw-Taylor Elementary School (invited into MSBA Core program in 2023) Ruth Batson Academy (invited into MSBA Core program in 2024) Boston Adult Technical Academy–East (2025) Navigating Employment and Transition (NExT) program (2025) White Stadium  Madison Park Technical Vocational High School (begun design, submitted to MSBA Core program in 2025) Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (renovations to temporary home completed in 2025; active RFP process underway for new permanent site) Former South Boston High School building (decarbonization and renovation work currently being scoped by PFD through the Renew Boston Trust program; won grant from MassCEC in 2025) Frederick (renovation to convert to preK-6; estimated completion in 2026) In addition, BPS has also ramped up its investment in state-of-good-repair projects, including through a strengthened partnership with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) through its Accelerated Repair Program (ARP): Dr. Albert D. Holland High School of Technology - boiler  English High School - windows/doors  Henderson Upper School - roof  Haley Elementary School - boiler  Kenny Elementary School - roof  O’Donnell Elementary School - roof  Adams Elementary School - windows/doors  Murphy K-8 School - windows/doors  Chittick Elementary School - windows/doors  Gardner Pilot Academy - windows/doors  Everett Elementary School - windows/doors Lyndon K-8 School - windows/doors  Partnerships that educate our students beyond the classroom Boston Family Days has grown to include 23 of Boston’s world-class cultural institutions. To date, 14 museums have welcomed over 65,000 students and families.  This fall, the City launched the inaugural season of Boston Family Day performances at the American Repertory Theater, ArtsEmerson, Berklee, Boch Center, Boston Ballet, Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Huntington Theatre, and Wheelock Family Theatre. Thank you to Amazon, Barr Foundation, Barbara and Amos Hostetter, Jim and Cathy Stone, and Michelle and Bob Atchinson for their support. This year, more than 10,500 young people worked paid summer jobs, which is the most in the City’s history. Additionally, the City has launched a youth jobs program to run during the school year. Thank you to Mass General Brigham, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, State Street Corporation, Boston Children’s Hospital, John Hancock, Bank of America, and Liberty Mutual Insurance and all our employer partners for helping us achieve this historic milestone. The City has expanded Boston Pre-K to serve more than 5,000 families, and added programming for our littlest learners, such as music lessons from the New England Conservatory. Over the last four years, City programs and partnerships helped almost 9,000 kids learn to ride bikes, taught nearly 12,000 more how to swim, and expanded youth sports access across every neighborhood.  This year, in partnership with Boston After School and Beyond, the City set a new record of more than 18,000 students taking part in the 5th Quarter summer learning program. Starting this fall, the WPS Institute is partnering with BPS to help reimagine 7th and 8th grade as an engaging launchpad into secondary school. Charlestown High Schools’s Dream Academy is piloting a model that focuses on creating a strong foundation experience for students in 7-12 schools where every student feels engaged, connected and prepared for college, career and life readiness. Last year, colleges and universities funded $72 million in scholarships for Boston students. Thank you to Boston University, Northeastern University, Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wentworth University, Boston College, Fisher College, Berklee College of Music, Emerson College, Emmanuel College, Simmons University, Suffolk University, New England Conservatory, Harvard University, and Tufts University. Setting strong expectations for our students when it comes to learning. Since the implementation of the BPS Equitable Literacy strategy, every student is expected to do what educators call “heavy lifting.” This includes students reading aloud and writing down reflections on the content they’re learning; solving math problems together and discussing the material with each other.  The shift to hands-on, active learning with high-quality instructional materials is guided by measurement, alignment, and accountability. Teachers and school leaders meet regularly to review effective teaching strategies, and district leaders and coaches conduct classroom observations to give teachers feedback. In 2022, just 179 BPS high schoolers took college courses. Last year, the City more than quadrupled that number to 790 students. This year, more than 1,000 students are taking college courses at schools including Roxbury Community College, Bunker Hill Community College, Franklin Cummings Tech, and UMass Boston.  Nearly all (26 out of 32) high schools offer either AP or IB courses. The six schools that do not are either specialized schools or alternative education high schools. The District has recently significantly expanded AP course offerings, including by piloting AP Seminar at 5 secondary schools and AP African American Studies at 15 secondary schools as part of a College Board pilot. BPS has also created new professional development for AP teachers focused on AP curriculum and instruction for multilingual learners to ensure learners with varying levels of English proficiency are encouraged and able to access AP courses.  Finally, BPS also redesigned course sequences, including embedding Pre-AP frameworks in core courses and expanding courses such as AP Seminar, AP Pre-Calculus, and AP Computer Science Principles. These courses are designed to support students in learning the skills necessary to be successful in AP and college classes. In 2025, BPS students took nearly 7,500 AP exams, more than two thirds of which received a score of three or higher. That’s a nine-percentage point jump in just one year, and the best performance on AP exams in our city’s history. For example, today, every ninth grader at the Dearborn STEM Academy takes AP Biology. Student involvement in State of the Schools Several Josiah Quincy Upper School (JQUS) students are participating in the event. This includes the six JQUS students who are delivering the Pledge of Allegiance as part of the program: Joseph Kasongo, 12th; Lucas Brent Huyghebaert, 11th; Ethan Jordan Funches, 7th; Maliyah Aylani Roberts, 7th; Cameron Gabriel Williams, 7th; and Elliot Grace Lee, 6th. Additionally, representing the student body, 12th grader Omar Ramadan is the student speaker introducing Chair of the Boston School Committee Jeri Robinson. There are also four JQUS students serving as ushers, helping guests to find a seat.  In addition to JQUS, other schools are a part of the production for the event. Students in Madison Park Technical Vocational High School’s Graphic Communications program printed the programs and students in the Culinary Arts program baked the chocolate chip cookies that will be served at the end of the program. Student journalists from Brighton High School, John D. O’Bryant High School, Charlestown High School, and Boston Latin School are in the media section covering the event tonight.

波士頓慈濟回首30年前來時路 合十祈祝未來福

波士頓慈濟人表演手語歌。（波士頓慈濟提供）

     （Boston Orange）2025年10月25日傍晚，波士頓慈濟聯絡處在牛頓會所以慈善愛心宴慶祝三十週年。近200名嘉賓與志工齊聚一堂，回顧波士頓慈濟人在異鄉以愛為燈、以願為路，把一顆顆善心化為守護社區力量的跨越時空善緣。

波士頓慈濟在牛頓會所慶30週年。（波士頓慈濟提供）

慈濟美東總會執行長蘇濟義與波士頓聯絡處負責人長金滿在活動主持謝宜芳與李豐介紹後，一一致詞，感恩志工與社區民眾這麼多年來的陪伴與支持。

會中還放映影片「深耕波士頓三十」，呈現波士頓慈濟從1990年代初的募款與探訪，到後來辦理社區義診、冬衣發放、急難救助與教育推廣的歷年足跡，寫下30年來「愛的傳承」。

香積組精心烹煮的素食盛宴是當晚一大特色。（波士頓慈濟提供）

            這場愛心盛宴，不但有香積志工團隊精心準備的素食佳餚，味道棒到連初嘗素食者都驚嘆，「原來素食也可以這麼豐富又有層次」，還安排了精彩表演，包括張逸軍的敲鉢靜心頌，大提琴家張瑄玶演奏，周晌昀演唱，慈濟人配舞的「心願」，慈濟人表演手語歌「人間有愛」，台灣知名藝術團體“優人神鼓”的「天空破了洞」表演影片。

謝宜芳（右）和李豐主持30週年慶大會。（波士頓慈濟提供）

表演節目之一。（波士頓慈濟提供）

            會中也放映了展現台灣，美國所經歷自然災害的「國土危脆」，勸誘人把為人鼓掌的雙手，拿來做環保代替修行的『鼓掌雙手』，以及闡述慈濟15年前獲得聯合國經濟及社會理事會非政府組織諮詢緣由的「一條龍」，鼓勵人一週吃素一天就等於少開車600公里，也等於種了15棵樹，回顧慈濟證嚴上人在60 年前，號召30名家庭主婦每天存下5毛錢的竹筒歲月等影片。

            為展現慈濟的致力環保，這晚還安排有一場「大愛感恩服裝秀」，由慈濟師兄姐們穿上百分之百用寶特瓶做成的時尚服裝走秀。慈濟也送給30週年慶出席者，每人一枝用寶特瓶做的環保筆。

            波士頓慈濟30週年慶愛心晚宴，最後在《祈禱》音樂聲響起，由手語志工帶領全場嘉賓點亮小蠋燈，捧著一顆願意付出的心，默默祝願世界平安、人心安定中落募。

慈濟的故事要從5毛錢開始說起。（波士頓慈濟提供）

            除了駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長廖朝宏，組長黃耀良，波士頓僑教中心主任高家富，華人經濟發展協會董事長蔣宗壬夫婦，紐英崙中華總會會長余麗媖，資深慈誠游勝雄等嘉賓之外，當晚還有多名因搬家遷離波士頓的志工，紛紛從外州趕回來參加這晚盛會，場內氣氛格外溫馨。（更新版）

表演節目之一。（波士頓慈濟提供）

波士頓慈濟人合十祝願。（波士頓慈濟提供）

Shaping Empathy Featuring Rowan Gallery Exhibit Opens at Boston Children’s Museum

Shaping Empathy Featuring Rowan Gallery Exhibit Opens at Boston Children’s Museum

Installation by Hayley Morris, Emmy Award Winning Artist and Animation Director

BOSTON, MA—October 28, 2025 — Boston Children’s Museum recently opened Shaping Empathy: Featuring Rowen by Hayley Morris, an Emmy award winning artist and animation director, working under the studio name Shape & Shadow. Located in the Museum’s Gallery, which showcases work of artists from the New England art community, Shaping Empathy encourages visitors to explore aspects of the relationship between a caregiver and child and practice the building blocks of empathy—the skill of understanding and caring about how another person feels.

 

Rowen is a stop-motion clay animation video about Morris’s own experience of motherhood, and the powerful ways both mother and child are continuously shaped by one another. The artist’s approach to animation, featured in the exhibit in a separate behind-the-scenes video, is deeply rooted in experimentation with physical materials—paper, clay, fabric, fibers, found objects, and natural elements. She strives to tell stories that are both playful and poetic, blending character-driven and abstract elements with a tactile, sensory quality.

“Shaping Empathy is a lovely reminder of the special connections we share with the people we are closest to and how important it is to understand the perspectives, needs, and emotions of others,” said Sage Brousseau, Senior Art Educator.

 

Immersed in the space alongside the artist’s work, Museum visitors—children and their own caregivers—can engage with activities designed to support empathy development, and skills such as kindness, perspective taking, and respecting oneself and others. Activities include practicing caring for others by role playing with baby dolls, sharing ways they like to show care by posting notes on a talk-back board, and reading books together to explore different characters’ feelings, perspectives, and ways of offering support.

 

The exhibit is the first of the Gallery shows connected to Empathy at the Heart, Boston Children’s Museum’s five-year initiative to foster empathy in young children and empower the adults in their lives to support this vital character development. Empathy is a skill that children (and adults!) develop with time and practice, and like any skill, the more we all practice empathy, the better we can become. Empathy at the Heart is being funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its national initiative, Fostering Character Through Children’s Museums.

 

Specializing in mixed media and stop-motion animation, Hayley Morris creates visually captivating stories that come to life through intricate textures, handcrafted details, and inventive storytelling. Her work spans a wide range of applications, including commercials, music videos, projection design, miniature fabrication, and short-form animation for both documentaries and feature films.

 

Morris has collaborated with clients such as MTV, Amazon, Netflix, Sesame Street, and Burt’s Bees, as well as work with musicians like Explosions in the Sky, Iron & Wine, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Hilary Hahn—creating visuals that complement their music and creative vision.

Morris is based in Vermont. When not animating or crafting, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their 4-year-old daughter.

Shaping Empathy: Featuring Rowan will be open at Boston Children’s Museum through March 8, 2026.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Public Higher Education Enrollment Has Returned to Pre-Pandemic Levels

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Public Higher Education Enrollment Has Returned to Pre-Pandemic Levels 

Governor Healey’s continued historic investments in free community college drove 11 percent enrollment increase this fall – a 39 percent increase since 2022 

 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that preliminary data from this fall shows that the number of students attending Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities has returned to pre-pandemic levels. The undergraduate student headcount at the state’s system of 29 public two- and four-year colleges and universities has grown 5.7 percent since last fall, reaching nearly 175,000 students. Community college enrollment growth, which is up 11.4 percent over last fall, has contributed significantly to the systemwide increase.  

 

“It’s great that our efforts to make college more affordable are allowing more students to pursue higher education,” said Governor Maura Healey. “A college degree opens the door to greater earnings for graduates throughout their lifetimes, while ensuring that our employers have highly-skilled talent to fill in-demand positions. I’m grateful for the partnership of the Legislature as we work together to make Massachusetts more affordable and the best place to live, learn, work and build a future.” 

 

“Our administration is proud to have doubled state financial aid to make college possible for more students,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This enrollment growth shows that our investments in college affordability are paying off, and that will have lasting positive benefits for Massachusetts.”    

 

Since fall 2022, community college enrollment has grown 38.5 percent, an increase of 23,977 students, for a total fall 2025 headcount of 86,321. These increases follow the launch of Governor Healey’s MassReconnect program in fall 2023 that made community college free for students 25 and older and MassEducate, signed into law by Governor Healey in the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget that made tuition and fees for community colleges free for all students regardless of age and income level. Compared to fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment across Massachusetts’ nine state universities stayed consistent, while enrollment across the four University of Massachusetts undergraduate campuses rose 0.8 percent.  

 

“Getting more students to college is a win. We’re not only closing gaps in affordability, but we’re also closing information gaps by visiting high schools and running awareness campaigns to tell students about these free and affordable college programs,” said Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “We’re working hard to get more students to enroll in college, succeed, and access all the benefits that come with having a higher education.” 

 

“While students continue to confront many barriers along their higher education journey, we have made meaningful strides in improving access and opportunity,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “These enrollment gains underscore what can be achieved through a shared commitment among the Governor, administration leaders, the Legislature, faculty, staff, and campus leadership — and through the determination of students who invest their time and talent in pursuit of a college credential.”  

 

Massachusetts has doubled state financial aid in recent years, with the Fiscal Year 2026 budget committing nearly $400 million to these programs. As a result of these investments, Pell Grant eligible students in Massachusetts receive free tuition and fees at all public two- and four- year colleges and universities, and community college is free to all, regardless of income level.  

 

“Today’s data prove that when we open doors to opportunity in Massachusetts, our residents walk through them,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “When the Senate created MassEducate and emphasized the importance of record investments in financial aid, these are exactly the results we hoped to see. I couldn’t be prouder to see renewed investment reignite enrollment in our public colleges and universities, and I look forward to seeing the careers that grow from it." 

 

“The state's ongoing commitment to supporting historic investments in higher education is clearly making a difference for students and families across the state,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I'm proud of the House's work, in partnership with the Healey-Driscoll Administration, expanding access to affordable, high-quality learning opportunities that have helped more residents gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed. These strong enrollment gains reaffirm our commitment to building a stronger, more equitable Commonwealth through lifelong learning.” 

 

“Massachusetts has invested heavily in financial aid and college affordability, because we want all residents to have access to our world class higher education institutions,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. “I am so pleased to see enrollment rebound to pre-pandemic levels — clear proof that our investments in students are working. I look forward to building on this momentum.” 

 

“Working with the Healey Administration, the House invested in a big way to make higher education more affordable," said Representative Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education."Now, we are beginning to see the results. The big enrollment surge is great news for the students taking advantage of this remarkable opportunity, and for the Commonwealth as a whole.” 

 

DHE’s enrollment and success report is available here. The report also highlights updated success metrics for the community college, state university, and University of Massachusetts (UMass) segments. Success metrics include the most recently available six-year graduation rates for students who entered college in 2018 and fall-to-fall persistence and on-time credit accumulation for students who have entered in recent years. 

 

“This enrollment data suggests that Massachusetts’ affordability initiatives are enhancing access to higher education and outperforming national benchmarks. Almost 2,000 Massachusetts community college students transfer to a UMass campus each year, and with the success of MassReconnect and MassEducate we hope to see that number grow substantially in the coming years,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “UMass is focused on better serving community college students who want to earn a four-year degree by advising them earlier in the process about course taking and making them feel welcome on our campuses long before they finish their associate’s degree.” 

 

"I am encouraged by the recent enrollment numbers which is the result of vigorous efforts by our campuses and the many investments in public higher education by the legislature and Healey-Driscoll administration,” said Dr. Linda Thompson, Chair of the State of Massachusetts Council of Presidents, and President of Westfield State University. “Despite the debate on the importance of higher education, and questions on the return on investment of a college degree, these numbers show how individuals within the Commonwealth truly value what higher education has to offer. Because of the attention paid to innovation, financial aid expansion, free tuition, and other investments in student success, I am confident the future will be bright for public higher education in Massachusetts, which translates into prosperity for our residents, and economic growth for our region.”  

 

“The early enrollment report confirms that Free Community College is working exactly as intended,” said Dr. William Heineman, president of North Shore Community College and chair of the Community College Council of Presidents. “The simple message that community college is free is resonating with students and driving enrollments for the third fall in a row. After another impressive year of enrollment growth – with nearly 24,000 new students on our campuses since fall 2022 – we are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration and the legislature for their strategic investments in our students.” 

 

Today’s announcement follows the administration’s launch of “Go Higher,” a new brand and awareness campaign that aims to increase exposure to higher education, improve the information pipeline, and build awareness of financial and institutional supports that help students see themselves in college. The campaign aligns with the administration’s Advisory Council for the Advancement of Representation in Education (ACARE) recommendations that centered on increasing access, equity and support for underserved and underrepresented students across Massachusetts.  

2300萬元翻修 Patrick J. Kennedy小學成無障礙場所

Patrick J. Kennedy小學翻修竣工剪綵。（周菊子攝）

            (Boston Orange 綜合編譯)波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）和公校總監Mary Skipper，以及州市政要，10 月27 日為東波士頓的Patrick J. Kennedy小學耗資2300萬元的翻修竣工剪綵，慶祝該校300名學生的學習環境更安全、健康、現代化。

Patrick J. Kennedy小學的翻修工程，由波士頓市的5年資本計畫資助，主要翻修及增建內容包括新建佔地3900平方英尺的2

波士頓市長吳弭和麻州眾議員Adrian Madaro（右起），參議員Lydia Edwards，
波士頓公校總監Mary Skipper，小學校長Kristen Goncalves為翻修竣工剪綵。
（周菊子攝）

層樓，作為學校新的入口，並安裝電梯，蓋了無障礙廁所，使得原本佔地36,190 平方英尺，3層樓高，建於1926年的學校，成為現代化的無障礙場所。

翻修工程還包括了增加消防補戶系統，翻新校內所有浴室，更換飲水機，更新樓梯，標牌，翻新升級了操場，重新配置停車場和硬地活動區，還新增了連接Bennington街的外部樓梯和人行道。

小學生們爭相和吳弭市長合影。（周菊子攝）

麻州參議員Lydia Edwards，眾議員Adrian Madaro，公共設施部門執行主任Carleton Jones，Patrick J. Kennedy小學校長Kristen Goncalves都在剪綵儀式中致詞。波士頓市議員Henry Santana也出席了剪綵活動。轄區包括東波士頓的市議員Gabriela Coletta Zapata因其他事務，未能出席。

波士頓市早在前市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh）任內，就從2015年啟動了承諾10年投資10億美元的「建造波士頓公校（Build BPS）」計畫。

出席嘉賓包括波士頓市議員Henry Santana （右一）。（周菊子攝）

2021年11月上任的吳弭市長，在2022年5月12日，站在 Warren道90號，如今已改名為梅爾金南端學院（Mel H. King South End Academies)的Mckinley小學和南端學院前宣佈，要在未來10年（2032年之前）斥資20億美元，翻修波士頓市內的每一所公立學校，並在2023-2027會計年度的資本計畫內投入6.05億美元，啟動14個大型建設或重大翻修項目。

小學生們為慶祝校舍翻修竣工，獻唱歌曲。（周菊子攝）

根據波士頓市公校記錄，在這14項公校新建或翻修工程中，已竣工啟用的有耗資2.236億美元，2024年秋啟用的昆士高中（JQUS）新建校舍，耗資1.114億美元，今年9月30日剪綵的William E.特許學校，耗資9,090萬美元，年10月8日剪綵，合併Philbrick和Sumner兩所學校，並翻修擴建Irving 大樓的Sarah Roberts小學，以及耗資2300萬美元，10月27日剪綵，翻修並升級無障礙設施的Patrick J. Kennedy小學。

其他規劃還包括要新建西洛士百利教育大樓（高中），Shaw-Taylor小學，擴建Otis學校，以及大規模翻修麥迪遜公園科技職業高中，Ruth Batson學院，馬丁路德金箔是幼稚園到8年級學校，還有翻修白體育館。

Patrick J. Kennedy小學翻修校舍外貌。（周菊子攝）

升級了的操場。（周菊子攝）

麻州長Healey簽行政命令推「盾牌」計畫提升麻州國防工業領先地位

麻州州長Maura Healey簽署行政命令。（周菊子攝）

             （Boston Orange周菊子綜合報導）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（27）日簽署行政命令，並宣佈撥款4700萬元，支持軍事創新、發展微電子和晶片製造、創造就業機會，強調麻州在國家安全與創新上的份量，有如麻州之盾（SHIELD）。

                  奚莉州長率同副州長Kim Driscoll，經濟發展廳廳長Eric Paley，Draper 董事長兼執行長Jerry Wohletz

麻州州長Maura Healey強調和麻州大學羅爾分校校長陳理珠（中）合作。（周菊子攝）

，國家安全企業高管會董事長兼執行長，也是美國退休空軍將軍Tim Ray，麻州科技合作組織執行長Carolyn Kirk等人，與將近200名麻州國防工業高管，在州政府大廳（Great Hall）齊聚一堂，支持「麻州之盾」計畫，也彰顯麻州在美國的國防工業上佔有舉足輕重的地位。

奚莉州長說，麻州以在國防工業上佔領導地位而驕傲。麻州不僅是國家衛隊，美國海軍，以及美國海岸衛隊的誕生地，創新與服務精神也傳承了好幾代。

麻州州長Maura Healey稱麻州的國防工業居美國領導地位。（周菊子攝）

根據麻州政府資料，麻州的國防工業支持著13萬個工作崗位，每年為麻州貢獻152億元的勞動收入，創造486億美元經濟價值。

作為「造盾計畫（SHIELD）」的一部分，奚莉州長今日簽署行政命令，成立「造盾工作組（SHIELD Working Group）」，由麻州科技合作組織（Massachusetts Technology Collaborative）率領，督促州政府機構找出支持國防工業的方法，向州長及副州長提供加強國防工業發展建議。

麻州政府頒發獎助款給MITRE的量子項目，由該公司微電子系統主任
Moise Solomon（右三）和研究員Mark Dong (左三）代表領取。（周菊子攝）

奚莉州長還宣佈，經濟發展廳（EOEC）已在其“企業前門導航器（Business Front Door Navigator）”團隊中設立了國防工業部門重點，以使國防工業公司及組織和州政府資源及成長機會之間，有更好連結。

在這場簽署行政命令，頒發資助科研經費款項的聚會中，麻州政府還宣佈和羅爾市（Lowell），以及陳理珠（Julie Chen）擔任校長的麻州大學羅爾分校合作，撥款2500萬元，在羅爾市設立“衝擊中心（Integrated Microelectronics Production & Advanced Chip Technology，簡稱IMPACT）”，估計會支持200個新工作機會。

陳理珠表示，該校和軍事設施，國防工業夥伴，以及其他大學都致力加強保護國家，支持創新的生態系統。他們很感謝奚莉政府的支持及遠見，也期待繼續經由東北微電子聯盟樞紐（Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub），美國陸軍Natick士兵系統中心，Hanscom空軍基地等繼續合作。

會中，希莉州長也宣佈撥出1140萬元聯邦及州政府經費，用於研發保護男女軍人的前沿解決方案。

在”支持從實驗室到企業的晶片進步（SCALE）資本計畫“下，奚莉州長另外宣佈1020萬元經費，經由東北微電子聯盟（NEMC）補助MITRE 等9個組織，加強麻州的微電子生態系統。

Governor Healey Launches Defense Sector Initiative to Strengthen Massachusetts’ National Security Leadership 

At convening with defense sector leaders, Governor announces $47 million to support military innovation, grow microelectronics and chips manufacturing, create jobs 

BOSTON – At a convening of defense sector leaders at the State House today, Governor Maura Healey announced the launch of the Massachusetts Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD), a new initiative to strengthen the state's defense leadership and accelerate the development of cutting-edge national security solutions. As part of this effort, the Governor also announced nearly $47 million in funding to support military innovation, expand microelectronics and chips manufacturing in Massachusetts, create high-quality jobs and bolster U.S. supply chain resilience. 

Massachusetts plays a pivotal role in the nation’s defense ecosystem as the home of leading research institutions, advanced manufacturers, and a highly skilled workforce. The industry supports more than 130,000 jobs, contributes $15.2 billion in annual labor income, and generates $48.6 billion in annual economic output, underscoring the state’s outsized impact on national security and innovation. 

“Massachusetts is proud of our defense leadership – we are the birthplace of the National Guard, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard, and we’ve carried that legacy of innovation and service forward for generations. Our defense sector is a cornerstone of our economy, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in economic impact,” said Governor Healey. “Today, in partnership with defense sector leaders from across the state, I’m taking action to strengthen our national security leadership, expand advanced manufacturing, and create more high-quality jobs for Massachusetts workers.” 

“Massachusetts is no stranger to innovation and manufacturing in support of national security. We're truly a defense state. Through this initiative and these investments, we’re leveraging the work that we already have underway in advanced manufacturing and innovation, and we’re investing in the future of our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “As someone who grew up in a military family, I know how important this sector is. Today, we’re proud to ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader in the defense industry.”  

SHIELD Initiative 

As part of SHIELD, Governor Healey signed an Executive Order directing state agencies to identify ways to increase support for defense sector initiatives across the administration. The Executive Order also establishes a SHIELD Working Group, led by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), to advise the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on advancing the defense sector in Massachusetts.  

Governor Healey also announced that the Executive Office for Economic Development (EOED) has created a defense industry sector focus within its Business Front Door Navigator team to better connect defense companies and organizations with state resources and growth opportunities. 

“Massachusetts has always led where innovation meets impact. Our defense sector unites cutting-edge research and advanced manufacturing to solve the nation’s toughest challenges,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, Chair of the MassTech Board of Directors. “Through SHIELD, we’re connecting partners across industry and academia to grow jobs, strengthen national security, and keep Massachusetts at the forefront of America’s defense economy.” 

The administration will also partner with Business Executives for National Security (BENS) and other defense sector organizations to convene future engagements in Massachusetts focused on national security and economic growth.  

“This is a great time for states. The combination of shifting national security demands and new federal instruments makes this a pivotal moment for state-level leadership,” said General Tim Ray, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), President & CEO of Business Executives for National Security. States that can integrate defense funding, federal incentives, private capital, and academic expertise will be best positioned to drive meaningful results.” 

SHIELD is informed by Governor Healey’s convening of the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force (MASS-TF) in January 2025. The MASS-TF’s mission is to partner with, support and expand military assets and installations within Massachusetts, including Barnes Air National Guard Base, Devens Reserve Forces Training Area, Hanscom Air Force Base, Joint Base Cape Cod, Natick Soldier Systems Center, and Westover Air Reserve Base. This includes coordination and partnerships with the defense sector in order to support the national security missions at each military installation and across the state. The Task Force is housed within the Office of the Governor and supported by the Executive Office of Economic Development and MassDevelopment.    

“From the birthplace of the National Guard to the home of world-class research and innovation, Massachusetts has always answered the call to serve and lead. The SHIELD initiative continues that proud legacy by investing in our people, our communities, and our shared commitment to national defense,” said Major General Gary W. Keefe, The Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard. 
 

IMPACT Center 

At today’s convening, Governor Healey also announced up to $25 million in state and local funding in partnership with the City of Lowell to support the construction of the nonprofit Draper’s Integrated Microelectronics Production & Advanced Chip Technology (IMPACT) Center in Lowell. The IMPACT Center will support up to 200 new jobs and enable Draper to continue to execute hundreds of millions of dollars of contracts within Massachusetts. The new facility will also generate substantial state and local tax revenue, support education and workforce development, and nurture the innovation ecosystem.  

“Today’s investment reflects Governor Healey's ongoing commitment to ensuring that Massachusetts’ technology and innovation ecosystem is aligned with the needs of the nation's defense sector. It also strengthens the Commonwealth's manufacturing base in the critical microelectronic sector," said Jerry Wohletz, Ph.D., President and CEO of Draper. "In addition to the IMPACT Center, our partnership with UMass Lowell and LINC will create new jobs for a highly skilled workforce, educated and trained in our local universities, colleges, and trade schools. And all of this will be done in service to our nation's security needs. We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Commonwealth, and our partners in state and federal government for supporting our vision of what can be accomplished by this investment.” 

This state and local funding builds on the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC), a transformative public-private partnership made possible by the leadership of the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML), the UMass Building Authority and the City of Lowell, with significant support from the Healey-Driscoll administration. The project is expected to generate over $3.7 billion in economic activity, create 2,000 permanent jobs, and result in nearly 500 units of new housing in Lowell over the next decade.  

In March 2023, Governor Healey joined state and local leaders to announce that Draper would serve as LINC’s anchor tenant. Draper intends to provide up to $10 million in program, research, and educational resources to UML over the next decade.  

“This investment by the Healey-Driscoll Administration is a game-changer for the City of Lowell. The IMPACT Center will not only bring hundreds of high-quality jobs to our community, but it will also solidify Lowell’s role as a hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing, and national security,” said Lowell City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. “We are proud to partner with Draper, UMass Lowell, and the Commonwealth to bring this vision to life. This is more than a building – it’s a catalyst for economic growth, workforce development, and opportunity for generations to come. The IMPACT Center and the broader LINC initiative represent the future of Lowell, and we’re grateful for the state’s commitment to making it a reality." 

“The defense industrial base and national security cluster here in New England are essential to both our economic strength and our collective security. At UMass Lowell, we’re proud to play a leading role in that effort, working side by side with military installations, defense industry partners and other universities to strengthen the ecosystem that protects our nation and drives innovation,” said Dr. Julie Chen, Chancellor, UMass Lowell; and MASS-TF Member. “Draper’s expansion in Lowell is a great example of what’s possible when state leadership, industry and higher education come together with a shared purpose. We’re deeply grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their support and vision, and we look forward to continued collaboration through the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub, the U.S. Army’s Natick Soldier Systems Center, and Hanscom Air Force Base. Together, these partnerships are positioning Massachusetts, and the city of Lowell, as a national leader in defense innovation, workforce development and economic opportunity.” 

Protecting Servicemembers 

Governor Healey also announced $11.4 million of federal and state funding to support the development of cutting-edge solutions to protect military servicemen and women, in partnership with the U.S. Army’s Natick Soldier Systems Center and Hanscom Air Force Base. This initiative will both support the work of the Army at the Natick Soldier Systems Center called BioNexus, as well as scale up funding support to Massachusetts small businesses working on Air Force innovation at Hanscom Air Force Base. The state's share of the funds will be distributed as innovation grants through a competitive incubator-like structure, administered by the Military Asset & Security Strategy Task Force through EOED. This funding was secured due to Governor Healey’s federal funding law. 

SCALE Program 

Additionally, Governor Healey announced $10.2 million in grants to nine organizations to strengthen Massachusetts’ microelectronics ecosystem through the Supporting Chip Advancement from Lab to Enterprise (SCALE) Capital Program. The SCALE program leverages state match funding through the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition (NEMC) Hub, a division of MassTech, that supports cutting-edge projects in the state’s microelectronics ecosystem that bridge innovation and capability gaps, enhance workforce development and drive technology from the lab to the fab. Massachusetts is first state in the federal Microelectronics Commons program to deploy state matching funds.    

“For the past two years through the Northeast Microelectronics Commons (NEMC) Hub, Massachusetts has been leading a collective, regional effort to advance technologies critical to national security, create jobs and invest in transformative projects across the microelectronics industry,” said MassTech CEO Carolyn Kirk. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s SHIELD initiative and strategic investment bolsters partnerships within the defense sector which will lead to future breakthroughs in these critical technologies.”