MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF FIRST MAJOR MILESTONE FOR CLIMATE READY BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF FIRST MAJOR MILESTONE FOR CLIMATE READY BOSTON Releases Updated Climate Projections for the City of Boston

BOSTON -- Tuesday, June 14, 2016 -- Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the completion of the first major milestone of Climate Ready Boston by releasing updated climate projections for the City of Boston. Climate Ready Boston will use these projections to identify critical resiliency focus areas and develop cost-effective and socially conscious policies and projects to make Boston more resilient to the effects of climate change, including higher sea levels, more intense precipitation and more frequent heat waves. "We're taking climate change seriously because we take the health and resilience of our City seriously," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm proud of the bold approach we're taking to prepare Boston for the impacts of climate change and am eager to tackle the next steps." The next milestones for Climate Ready Boston include a city-wide climate vulnerability assessment and a climate resiliency roadmap that are expected to be complete by the end of the summer. The updated climate projections were developed by a team of climate scientists from across the state led by UMass Boston. The team reviewed existing reports to recommend the most reliable and up to date information for the City. The findings confirm the seriousness of the changes that Boston will face. They also emphasize that the magnitude of the changes in the second half of the century depend greatly on our success in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions now. "These projections show two things clearly: first, we have to prepare for change and second, if - along with the rest of the world - we can reduce our carbon emissions, we can prevent even more extreme changes from impacting our City," said Carl Spector, Commissioner of the Environment. "We have to work as a community to reduce our carbon emissions by changing the source of energy we use and the ways we work, study and travel." For more on Climate Ready Boston, visit the new website for the initiative:climateready.boston.gov. To download the complete climate projections consensus report and summary, visit http://climateready.boston.gov/findings. Climate Ready Boston will provide recommendations about how Boston's neighborhoods and infrastructure can respond to climate change and become more resilient. Findings will be incorporated into Imagine Boston 2030, as well as Go Boston 2030 led by the Boston Transportation Department, and resiliency planning led by the City's Chief Resilience Officer. The initiative is led by the City of Boston in partnership with the Green Ribbon Commission and with support from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. The project team includes HR&A Advisors, University of Massachusetts Boston, Arcadis and Sasaki Associates. Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space Austin Blackmon and Environment Commissioner Carl Spector joined city and state leaders this week in the Netherlands for the Green Ribbon Commission's Climate Innovations Study Tour. The purpose of the tour, which will also include stops in Denmark and Sweden, is to gain knowledge of cutting-edge European practices for achieving city carbon neutrality and long-term climate preparedness to advance the City and Commonwealth's climate strategies. This study tour will create opportunities for the Boston participants to interact with their European counterparts who will share the "inside story" of what it takes to achieve this level of change. For more information on the tour and a list of participants, visit: http://www.greenribboncommission.org/work/climate-innovations-study-tour/. "Assuring Boston's long-term resilience to climate change will require unprecedented public-private collaboration," said John Cleveland, Executive Director of the Green Ribbon Commission. "It is critical that we are all working from the same science-based projections as we do this work. The Climate Ready Boston projections establish a foundation for this cross-sector collaboration, and are further indication of Boston's pace-setting leadership in the national quest for climate change solutions." Boston has long been a leader on climate action, starting with the 2007 Executive Order on Climate Action, which set the charge to include climate projections in city planning. The first Climate Ready Boston project in 2013 focused on municipal vulnerabilities. This current initiative is a next step to expand the focus to the entire Boston community and looks comprehensively at the city's infrastructure, built environment, natural environmental and neighborhoods.

Boston Children’s Museum celebrated the reopening of the New Balance Foundation climb

Boston Children’s Museum celebrated the reopening of the New Balance Foundation climb following a 5-week renovation.

Originally opened in 2007, the newly renovated 3-story climbing sculpture is made of flowing curved platforms, rising up through the glass lobby of Boston Children’s Museum. Children are both challenged and delighted as they attempt safe risk-taking and find their way through the 3D, full body puzzle. Estimating space, planning moves, and looking for the best path are all part of the learning in the New Balance Foundation Climb.

Parents can join in as they follow the route alongside the sculpture, encouraging their children to find their way and try different paths, all while enjoying a fantastic panorama of downtown Boston.

There is also a surprise element for visitors that are familiar with the former climb; they may find some pathways have changed a bit.

Photo credit: Lex Piccione

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $25.1 MILLION INVESTMENT IN WINDOW AND DOOR REPLACEMENTS AT 7 BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $25.1 MILLION INVESTMENT IN WINDOW AND DOOR REPLACEMENTS AT 7 BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Investment to continue improving learning environments for Boston public school students, faculty and staff

BOSTON - Tuesday, June 14, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston will move forward with a $25.1 million investment for door and window replacement at seven schools, after approval by the Boston City Council on Wednesday. The seven schools that will receive funding are: Young Achievers Science and Math K-8 in Mattapan; Community Academy of Science and Health in Dorchester; TechBoston Academy in Dorchester; Ellis Elementary School in Roxbury; McKay K-8 School in East Boston; Curley K-8 School in Jamaica Plain and Charles Sumner Elementary School in Roslindale. "Our top priority is improving our schools, and I am pleased we have been able to successfully work with the Massachusetts School Building Authority to make these critical investments that will improve our schools for generations to come," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "We know that modern learning environments best prepare our students for future success, and we will continue to prioritize infrastructure that is environmentally sound, propelling our schools to become even more efficient and cost-effective." This project emphasizes the City's commitment to ensuring all public schools operate in the safest, most efficient manner possible. This project leverages nearly $16.4 million in Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Accelerated Repair Funds, a program focused on performing energy-efficient and cost-saving upgrades, which will result in direct operational savings for the school district. "This investment underscores the Boston Public Schools' mission to provide the best facilities and education for our children," said BPS Superintendent Tommy Chang. "As we move forward with our ten-year BuildBPS plan, the City's strategic framework for facilities' investments will continue to be guided by what education -- and more importantly, what the jobs of the future -- will look like over the next ten years."   The Walsh Administration has put a renewed focus on maximizing the MSBA as a resource for improving facilities, both in their current plan and as a strategy for financing BuildBPS. This investment will allow the City to complete the design process this year and begin construction next spring. Nearly 3,000 windows will be replaced at these seven schools by the fall 2017. About BuildBPS Launched on September 29, 2015 by Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Superintendent Tommy Chang, BuildBPS is a 10-Year Educational and Facilities Master Plan for Boston Public Schools (BPS). BuildBPS will provide a strategic framework for facilities investments, as well as curriculum and instruction reforms that are aligned with the district's educational vision. BPS and the Mayor's Education Cabinet are working with Symmes, Maini & McKee Associates (SMMA) to develop a comprehensive set of recommendations submitted to Mayor Walsh, Superintendent Tommy Chang, and Boston School Committee by the fall of 2016. The project is guided by five advisory committees that include educators and representatives of parent and community partner organizations. The work of SMMA is conducted in partnership with BPS, the Mayor's Education Cabinet, and several City agencies, including Property and Construction Management, Environment, Energy and Open Space, Neighborhood Services, and the Boston Redevelopment Authority, in consultation with designer and project manager Margaret Wood of Pinck & Co. For additional information, please visit BPS' website: http://bostonpublicschools.org/Page/5419

Governor Baker Nominates Three to Supreme Judicial Court

Governor Baker Nominates Three to Supreme Judicial Court

Historic opportunity elevates three highly-qualified judges to serve as SJC Associate Justices

BOSTON – In an historic and unprecedented opportunity to uphold the tradition of excellence of the Commonwealth’s highest court, Governor Charlie Baker today nominated Superior Court Justices Kimberly Budd, Frank Gaziano and David Lowy to serve as Associate Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court.

“These distinguished and well respected judges will bring nearly a century of combined experience to the Supreme Judicial Court, having dealt with the most complicated civil and criminal cases before the courts of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Baker. “I thank the Supreme Judicial Court Nominating Commission, my Chief Legal Counsel Lon Povich and Sharon Casey, the Executive Director of the Judicial Nominating Commission, for their diligent and tireless work in recommending a diverse group of candidates of the highest caliber and character, and we also wish the departing justices well in their retirement and future endeavors. Our legal system and the citizens of Massachusetts will be served well by the wealth of trial experience, temperament and sense of justice brought to the bench by these nominees.”

The nominees and their families joined Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito for a formal announcement today at the State House. The nominees, if confirmed, will replace Justice Francis Spina, Justice Robert Cordy and Justice Fernande Duffly who announced their retirements earlier this year.

“We have the utmost confidence these jurists will serve the Commonwealth’s highest court with distinction for years to come,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “All three have set themselves apart by their keen intellect, respectful demeanor and dedication to fairness in the judicial system. We look forward to the Governor’s Council’s consideration of our nominees and on behalf of the Commonwealth, thank Justices Spina, Cordy and Duffly for their service.”

The Supreme Judicial Court is the Commonwealth's highest appellate court, consisting of the Chief Justice and six Associate Justices. The seven Justices hear appeals on a broad range of criminal and civil cases from September through May and issue written opinions that are posted online.

In February, Governor Baker named a statewide 12-member Supreme Judicial Nominating Commission (SJC-NC) to recruit, screen and recommend applicants to fill an unprecedented number of upcoming vacancies on the Commonwealth’s highest court. All judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council.

For bios and pictures of the nominees, click here.

For more information about the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, visithttp://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/sjc/. 

波士頓市殘障委員會接受委員申請

PUBLIC INVITED TO FORUM ON DISABILITY ISSUES, CITY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR MAYOR'S COMMISSION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Nine-member Commission Appointed by Mayor to Advise on Policy and Procedure

BOSTON - Tuesday, June 14, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston is now accepting applications for the Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities. The commission is made up of nine members who work to help the City of Boston meet the needs of persons with disabilities who live, work and visit Boston. The Commission informs and advises the City on policies and procedures affecting the disability community. In addition, the Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities will hold a public forum tomorrow, Wednesday, June 15 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in Boston City Hall, Room 900 to give residents the opportunity to discuss accessibility concerns with City of Boston officials. "As Mayor of the City of Boston, I represent all our residents, and ensuring the voice of our disability community is heard is a priority for me," said Mayor Walsh. "I am looking forward to working with the Commission on new ideas that will make the City of Boston more accessible and welcoming to all." The City is currently seeking applications from people with disabilities who reflect the diverse needs of Boston's neighborhoods and communities. Members will be appointed by the Mayor and serve in a volunteer capacity for a term of three years. Applicants must meet the following requirements: Must be a resident of the City of Boston; Must have a disability or be the parent of a disabled child; Must be able to attend Commission meetings held once a month, from 5:30 to 7:30, in Boston City Hall. Letters of interest are due by July 31, 2016, and should be sent to the attention of:  Commissioner Kristen McCosh, Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities at disability@boston.gov or by postal mail. Applicants may include a resume if possible. For questions and information, contact the Commission by phone at 617-635-3682 (617-635-2541 TTY), email atdisability@boston.gov, or visit www.boston.gov/disability/commission.asp.

MBTA to Implement Youth Pass Discount Program to Young Adults

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Following the success of a year-long MBTA youth pass pilot program that included the cities of Boston, Malden, Somerville, Chelsea and the Chelsea Collaborative, the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board recently voted to expand and extend it indefinitely. Last July, the pilot program opened to 1,500 youth up to age 21 with passes being allocated based on a random lottery of eligible applicants. Passes were sold at municipal partner offices in each city and participants had to return each month or week to pay. 

The MBTA has also agreed to make the youth pass program open to all low-income individuals in the MBTA service area between the ages of 19 and 25, increasing the maximum age range from 21 in the pilot program. Youth aged 18 and under do not need to be determined low-income to qualify. The new youth pass program would be administered through any of the 17 municipalities in the core service area that choose to participate. Costing $30 after the fare hikes take effect, the youth pass will offer a significant discount of more than 50% off the regular cost of a monthly subway pass, which will be $84.50 starting July 1.

When the MBTA board voted to hike fares an average of 9.3 percent in March, the board also made student passes valid year-round, one aspect of the pilot program. Starting in September the MBTA will allow students to purchase their monthly passes through fare vending machines, and once the youth pass is implemented after September 1, youth will be able to do the same. All youth in participating municipalities would be eligible from ages 12 to 18 as will young adults "up to 25" if they meet criteria like enrollment in food assistance or MassHealth or are enrolled in a high-school equivalency program or job training.

“I am thrilled that the MBTA is permanently implementing this much needed program,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “I commend Jeri Scibelli of our office and Malden High School Intern Nicole Baltazar for their diligent work administering this program which has tremendously benefitted our youth.”

For more information about the MBTA Youth Pass Program, please email Jeri Scibelli at jscibelli@cityofmalden.org.

MBTA to Implement Youth Pass Discount Program to Young Adults

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Following the success of a year-long MBTA youth pass pilot program that included the cities of Boston, Malden, Somerville, Chelsea and the Chelsea Collaborative, the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board recently voted to expand and extend it indefinitely. Last July, the pilot program opened to 1,500 youth up to age 21 with passes being allocated based on a random lottery of eligible applicants. Passes were sold at municipal partner offices in each city and participants had to return each month or week to pay. 

The MBTA has also agreed to make the youth pass program open to all low-income individuals in the MBTA service area between the ages of 19 and 25, increasing the maximum age range from 21 in the pilot program. Youth aged 18 and under do not need to be determined low-income to qualify. The new youth pass program would be administered through any of the 17 municipalities in the core service area that choose to participate. Costing $30 after the fare hikes take effect, the youth pass will offer a significant discount of more than 50% off the regular cost of a monthly subway pass, which will be $84.50 starting July 1.

When the MBTA board voted to hike fares an average of 9.3 percent in March, the board also made student passes valid year-round, one aspect of the pilot program. Starting in September the MBTA will allow students to purchase their monthly passes through fare vending machines, and once the youth pass is implemented after September 1, youth will be able to do the same. All youth in participating municipalities would be eligible from ages 12 to 18 as will young adults "up to 25" if they meet criteria like enrollment in food assistance or MassHealth or are enrolled in a high-school equivalency program or job training.

“I am thrilled that the MBTA is permanently implementing this much needed program,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “I commend Jeri Scibelli of our office and Malden High School Intern Nicole Baltazar for their diligent work administering this program which has tremendously benefitted our youth.”

For more information about the MBTA Youth Pass Program, please email Jeri Scibelli at jscibelli@cityofmalden.org.

Caregiving: The Circle of Love with MSNBC Anchor Richard Lui

Caregiving: The Circle of Love

with MSNBC Anchor Richard Lui

Join Discussion about Chinese American Family Caregiving

Tuesday, June 21 at 6pm at University of San Francisco

AARP’s Caregiving: The Circle of Love follows three family caregivers: former educator Elizabeth Chun, MSNBC Anchor Richard Lui and AARP Historian Emerita Lily Liu.

WHAT:                       AARP’s new documentary Caregiving: The Circle of Love presents the traditions and challenges of caregiving in the Chinese American community from the point of view of three family caregivers, including MSNBC News Anchor Richard Lui. Filmed by San Francisco-based Executive Producer Toan Lam, the fourteen-minute film was created by AARP to help families start the difficult but vital conversation about caregiving.

WHO:                         Ÿ  Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audiences, and Family Caregiver

Ÿ  Toan Lam, Executive Producer of Caregiving: The Circle of Love, Founder of GoInspireGo, and former Family Caregiver

Ÿ  Lily Liu, AARP Historian Emerita and Family Caregiver

Ÿ  Richard Lui, MSNBC News Anchor and Family Caregiver

WHEN:                       Tuesday, June 21, 2016

                                    Ÿ  6:00pm: Reception

Ÿ  7:00pm: Screening, Panel Discussion, and Q&A

Ÿ  8:30pm: Program ends

WHERE:                    Fromm Hall (Xavier Auditorium)

University of San Francisco

2497 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118

* Enter on Parker Street near McAllister Street; Fromm Hall is on the left

* FREE limited parking in Koret Lot on Parker Street at Turk Street (first-come, first-served)

WHY:                         Ÿ  One in five Americans care for aging parents, spouses, relatives, friends or other loved ones. At some point in your life, you either will be a caregiver or need a caregiver. 

Ÿ  In California, there are more than 4 million family caregivers providing $47 billion annually in unpaid care.

Ÿ  Asian Americans provide caregiving for their families more than any other ethnic group (42% compared to 22% of other Americans).

Ÿ  Asian Americans have a higher sense of caregiving responsibility with 73% feeling that children in the family should care for elderly parents (compared to 49% of other Americans). 72% of Asian Americans express guilt for not providing more care (compared to 48% of other Americans).

Ÿ  Chinese Americans are twice as likely (14%) to live in multigenerational households compared to other Americans (7%). With the heavy expectation that care should be provided by one’s own family, larger households help enable caregiving.

CO-PRESENTER:     Ÿ  University of San Francisco School of Education

COMMUNITY           Ÿ  Alzheimer’s Association

PARTNERS:               Ÿ  Center for Asian American Media

Ÿ  Chinese American Citizens Alliance, San Francisco Lodge

Ÿ  OCA East Bay, San Francisco and San Mateo Chapters

Ÿ  Self Help for the Elderly

GUEST RSVP:                       aarp.cvent.com/caregiving062116      

                                                FREE EVENT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into 'Real Possibilities' by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name.  As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. To learn more, visitwww.aarp.org or follow @aarp and our CEO @JoAnn_Jenkins on Twitter.

Conference at Wheelock College highlights the challenges and opportunities for early educators who are English language learners

Conference at Wheelock College highlights the challenges and opportunities for early educators who are English language learners

Speakers and panelists from state government, academia and advocacy groups will share strategies to advance immigrant early education workforce

On Monday, June 13, the Community Advocates for Young Learners (CAYL) Institute and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) will host a leadership conference at Wheelock College to explore strengthening educational and career pathways for immigrant and limited English proficient child educators in Massachusetts. The conference will feature findings from the recently released report, Opening Pathways: Strengthening Opportunities for Massachusetts Early Educators Who Are English Language Learners, funded by the Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge and developed in conjunction with the Department of Early Education and Care and the CAYL Institute.

In the state and nationally, the immigrant share of early childhood workers has tripled since 1990, and now makes up 20 percent of that workforce in the Commonwealth. Immigrant early educators, however,  face steep odds navigating a career pathway to the bachelor’s degree increasingly required for early education teachers. With 1 in 4 children under six in Massachusetts growing up speaking a language other than English at home, leaders in government, academia and the nonprofit sector are increasingly seeking ways to support a workforce that brings unique linguistic and cultural competencies to the education of these young children.

Speakers at the conference, which will take place from 9am-12:30pm at Wheelock College's Brookline campus, will include Commissioner of Early Education and Care Tom Weber; Marie St. Fleur, President and CEO of the Bessie Tartt Wilson Institute for Children; Michael Taylor, President of Urban College; and Valora Washington, founder, President and CEO of the CAYL Institute. Three immigrant teachers and program directors from the Community Action Agency of Somerville Head Start program will share lessons from their own careers. A panel discussion will include academic leaders, professional development specialists, and early childhood advocates. More than 100 participants are scheduled to be in attendance.

The conference will focus on sharing knowledge and building support across the state’s public higher education and adult education systems to meet the needs of this critical and growing segment of the state's early education and care workforce. It will explore strategies to help immigrant early educators gain access to associates and bachelor's degrees through creative models using prior learning assessments and bilingual coursework, and alignment of program and credentialing requirements across community and four-year colleges in both public and private systems. The larger goal of the event is to start a conversation among the broad range of system stakeholders—in higher education, early education and care, adult education, policy advocacy, and other arenas—that will lead to greater awareness and alignment around this issue.

The conference will take place at Wheelock College, Ladd Room, 43 Hawes Street, Brookline, MA. For more information about the event or MIRA's work with young children in immigrant families and immigrant child educators contact Jeff Gross, Director, New Americans Integration Institute, jgross@miracoalition.org, 617-350-5480, x228.

麻大波士頓孔子學院漢語橋海航文化使者訪北京比賽

美国麻州大学波士顿孔子学院汉语桥比赛“海航文化使者”

中国之旅圆满结束

         5月30 日至6月8日，由美国麻州大学波士顿孔子学院、中国海南航空和国家汉办共同主办，并由麻州大学波士顿孔子学院国内合作院校中国人民大学协办的孔子学院汉语桥比赛“海航文化使者”中国之旅在北京圆满完成。

在一个多星期的行程中，来自哈佛大学、东北大学等美国高校的六名“海航文化使者”在麻州大学波士顿孔子学院中文项目负责人王淑红老师的带领下，首先参观了海航大厦、海航历史展以及航站楼机库，并同员工座谈交流，对中国的企业发展和企业文化有了切身了解和理解。文化使者们还到中国人民大学进行了汉语学习和汉语水平测试，参观了人大校园，并同中国大学生进行各种话题的交流。文化使者们的中国之旅当然还离不开一系列文化考察项目，如参观故宫、天坛、国家博物馆，爬长城，参观鸟巢、水立方，体验中国茶文化，探索798艺术区，以及参观特色地铁站、体验北京地铁、观看中国电影等。中国古老而充满深厚文化内涵的建筑艺术、丰富而令人惊叹的艺术藏品，以及体现现代科技与发展活力的城市面貌，给文化使者们留下了深刻的印象。

在结束行程前，文化使者们专程到孔子学院总部参观体验。国家汉办副主任王永利亲切会见了文化使者们。他对“海航文化使者”项目表示肯定，并对文化使者们寄予厚望。他敦促大家好好学习汉语，理解中国文化，真正以汉语为工具，搭建起沟通中美两国文化的桥梁。

此次参加中国之旅的六名“海航文化使者”均是麻州大学波士顿孔子学院“汉语桥”大学生中文演讲比赛的获奖者。麻州大学波士顿孔子学院的“汉语桥”大学生中文演讲比赛项目已有六年历史，在新英格兰地区享有很高的知名度，在过去两年海航赞助合作的基础上，今年孔子学院同海南航空合作设立“海航文化使者”项目，旨在进一步拓宽“汉语桥”，更好地推动美国学生学习汉语，并为中美人文交流提供更多渠道。此次“海航文化使者”中国之旅，海南航空不仅为这六名使者提供中美往返机票，还为他们精心安排了三天文化考察和四晚住宿，这是孔子学院同海外中资企业合作的新探索。

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES NEARLY $5M IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR BPS BUDGET

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES NEARLY $5M IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR BPS BUDGET $1.032B BPS budget represents $18.2M increase from FY16

BOSTON - Monday, June 13, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that he will file for an additional $4.7 million for Boston Public Schools (BPS) in Fiscal Year (FY17) to invest in several proposed initiatives aimed at the long-term success of Boston's schools. These initiatives, part of Superintendent Tommy Chang's long term vision for BPS,  include rolling out the Excellence for All program in 13 schools, planning for a new dual language program in three schools, preparing for Extended Learning Time expansion in FY18, and implementing a transportation data system. "I believe deeply in public education, and I believe our unstinting goals in public education should be to close opportunity and achievement gaps, meet the diverse needs of every kind of student, and make our district schools top choices for every family in every neighborhood," said Mayor Walsh. "I am pleased to re-submit the FY17 operating budget with a nearly $5M increase for BPS, which will fund programs aimed at getting all of our children on the pathway to success." Mayor Walsh's Medium post on education and the increase in the BPS budget. Chief Financial Officer David Sweeney's Medium post on the data behind the BPS budget. On Friday, June 17, Superintendent Chang will present his plan for the additional investments to the School Committee for their approval: A $1.2 million investment in the new Excellence for All program will offer 4th graders in 13 schools access to rigorous and enriched experiences, bringing the benefits of the Advanced Work Classes to a more diverse set of students and equipping them with new skills such as foreign languages and robotics. The Superintendent plans to use data to improve operations, performance and efficiency of the district. BPS will roll out a transportation data system to track ridership, provide information to parents and improve student safety. BPS will use the data to streamline bus routes and improve operational efficiency for student transportation, which is budgeted to save $10 million in FY17. BPS will also develop a performance meter with measures to assess college and career readiness. The Superintendent will use funds to plan for BPS's future with instructional and logistical support for approximately 40 schools in advance of extended learning time roll out in FY18, grants to three schools to design a financially viable dual language program, and completion of the high school redesign. Additional funding will help ensure that students are learning in a safe environment .The funding will provide leadership for the safety office and expansion of the CrisisGo app, a notification system to guide principals and administrators and inform staff about ongoing emergencies and incidents with BPD intervention. BPS also plans to conduct a safety audit of facilities, policies and procedures. Finally, these investments will continue high levels of service to our families by adding an additional $400,000 to provide translation for BPS families in multiple languages. "I extend my gratitude to Mayor Walsh for increasing education funding for our schools," said Superintendent Chang. "This investment will help move us forward as a district and will support many of the activities and programming that are extremely important to our students and families. Together, as a community, we remain deeply committed to the future of our children and I look forward to a promising year ahead." These are in addition to the investments Boston is already planning for FY17 that increase equity and better serve student needs such as: Increasing access to quality early childhood education by adding over 200 new pre-kindergarten seats on top of the 200 seats the Mayor added over the past two years; Investing thoughtfully in special education including additional classroom supports, a data system to improve parent access to children's special education plans, and transition services for special education students ages 14-22; Maintaining district commitments to expanded learning time, professional development and other school based supports as federal and state grants expire.   Consistent with Boston's annual budget process, the Mayor will resubmit the FY17 Operating Budget to the City Council on June 20, 2017. The FY17 Budget Resubmission will invest almost $1.032 billion in Boston Public Schools, an $18.2 million increase over the FY16 Budget, and the City is likely to add additional funds to the BPS budget if wages increase further through collective bargaining. To support this increased investment, the City will be budgeting $1.9 million in increased net state aid and $2.8 million in additional local receipts. Although net state aid is projected to be slightly higher than the City originally budgeted, it is still projected to decline from FY16 and fall almost $16 million short of funding the state's obligations to Boston for charter school reimbursement.   Mayor Walsh's Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) budget proposal, is a balanced and responsible plan that is responsive to the needs to Boston's residents.  The budget builds on the Administration's strong and proactive fiscal management practices, implements department audit recommendations to achieve operational efficiencies and modernize processes, employs data-driven decision making, and continues to address long-term systemic challenges affecting the residents of Boston that have built up over many years.  Through thoughtful reforms that achieve savings, and improved utilization of existing funds, Mayor Walsh's FY17 budget is able to make targeted investments toward achieving a thriving, healthy and innovative City.

美国麻州大学波士顿孔子学院参加波士顿龙舟节文化展示

美国麻州大学波士顿孔子学院参加波士顿龙舟节文化展示

          6月12日，波士顿第37届龙舟节在查尔斯河上举行，吸引3万人前来观赛和体验在岸边举行的文化活动。麻州大学波士顿孔子学院也特意布置了文化展台，借此机会展示和推广中国文化。中国驻纽约总领馆总领事章启月在活动期间来到孔子学院展台，称赞孔院的项目做得好，孩子们都喜欢。她还亲切地同工作人员合影。

          孔子学院的展台前人头攒动。他们有的在工作人员引导下，体验跳绳、踢毽子，有的兴致勃勃地参加“筷子夹豆子”比赛。还有的更喜欢“舞文弄墨”，在孔院准备的万次书写纸上，用从来没用过的毛笔，一遍遍“画”汉字。也有人跟展台的工作人员索取现场毛笔书写的成语、祝福语和名言警句。汉语水平比较高的，就尝试做“汉字数独”游戏。孔院也提供了“汉字组词”和“偏旁组字”游戏，供有一定汉语学习基础的体验者挑战自己。参与游戏和比赛获胜的人分别得到孔院赠送的明信片和中国风格小挂历等纪念品和奖品。孔院也在展台前发送了孔院项目和汉语水平考试等宣传材料，让更多人对孔子学院有了更多的了解。

        波士顿龙舟节是波士顿地区一年一度举行的盛大节日活动，孔子学院每年借此机会展示和宣传中国文化，受到很多关注和欢迎。(麻大波士頓孔院提供）

Attorney General Maura Healey on the Orlando shooting

Attorney General Maura Healey on the Orlando shooting:

"My heart is broken for all of the victims, their loved ones and the community of Orlando. There will be more to learn in the days and weeks ahead as we seek answers to our questions. Today we focus on those we've lost and those who've been injured. The LGBT community is strong. Americans are strong. Today, we focus on the victims and their families. Tomorrow, we get back to work to honor their memory, the memory of the 100,000 people killed in gun violence since we said "never again" after Sandy Hook and all those who have lost their lives in such senseless tragedies. Let us stand in solidarity, united in strength, compassion and love.​" - Attorney General Maura Healey