K2-3年級波士頓公校學生家長1/31前開設兒童儲蓄帳戶可多得25元獎勵

             (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 今 (9) 日宣佈，1月31日前第一次上網為子女開設「兒童儲蓄戶口 (CSA)」的波士頓公校幼稚園到3年級學生家長，可在開設波士頓儲蓄 (Boston Saves) 帳戶得50元之外，再多得25元獎勵。

              波士頓儲蓄 (Boston Saves)是賦權工人 (WE)內閣和波士頓公校合作的項目。

               波士頓公校總監Mary Skipper表示，波士頓儲蓄 (Boston Saves)項目是為兒童的學業及專業未來做準備的最好方法。參加永遠都不嫌遲。

            波士頓儲蓄 (Boston Saves)是工薪家庭為子女將來上大學，或者接受職業培訓做準備的儲蓄計畫。波士頓市政府為波士頓公校幼稚園2年級學生的家庭，自動提供50元開戶獎金，開啟獲得其他福利的第一步。約有1300個波士頓公校家庭，經由去年1月提供的這獎勵計畫，共獲得32,825元。

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES BOSTON SAVES JANUARY INCENTIVE AND ENCOURAGES ELIGIBLE BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS FAMILIES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FINANCIAL BOOST

 

BPS families who log in to the Savings Center for the first time by January 31, 2023 will earn an extra $25 for their child’s savings account

 

BOSTON - Monday, January 9, 2023 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced an incentive to encourage families of Boston Public Schools (BPS) K2-3rd graders to take advantage of Boston Saves, the City of Boston’s children’s savings account (CSA) program. BPS K2 - 2nd grade families who log in to the program’s online savings platform for the first time by January 31, 2023 will earn an extra $25 for their child’s account. This money, plus the $50 provided in every Boston Saves account and any additional incentives families earn, can be used to pay for their child’s future college or career training, providing a financial boost to their child's future. Boston Saves is a collaborative effort between the Worker Empowerment Cabinet (WE) and Boston Public Schools.   “Boston Saves is part of our efforts to connect Boston’s young people and families with every economic opportunity possible,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This collaborative program provides families with a chance to plan early and save even more for their children’s future. As we start 2023, I encourage all of our newly participating families to log in to Boston Save’s online savings platform and take advantage of this incentive.”  “The Boston Saves program is one of the best ways to prepae for your child’s academic and professional future,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “It’s never too early, or too late to participate, and the January promotion is the perfect time, if possible, to invest a little bit extra into your children’s future. We encourage all of our families to take advantage because data shows students who are enrolled in the Boston Saves program are more-likely to enroll and attain a degree in college or a career-training program.”  Boston Saves is a tool for working families to save and plan for their children’s future college or career training by providing every BPS K2 kindergartner with a CSA automatically seeded with $50. The incentive encourages families to take a crucial first step towards unlocking the program’s many benefits. More than 1,300 BPS families earned a total of $32,825 for their children’s futures through last year’s January incentive.   When a family logs in to the Savings Center, they can: ·       See the money in their child’s Boston Saves account ·       Link their own financial account to the Savings Center to track all their savings for their child in one place ·       Earn more money for their child’s Boston Saves account by taking simple steps like reading with their child, or saving regularly   Additionally, Boston Saves motivates families to earn more money for their child through regular incentives, and provides financial education and resources that make saving easier and helps families get ahead. Since the program began, Boston Saves has provided funds more than $1,040,000, including $113,000 in family-earned incentives, to more than 18,580 students.  Research shows that the mere presence of savings can motivate post-secondary success. In one study, low-income children with less than $500 in an account dedicated to higher education were three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate from college.   “Boston Saves is a great initiative from the City of Boston to help families learn about the importance of saving,” said Erin DiCarlo, parent of two Boston Saves’ students at the Adams Elementary School. “With financial literacy often lacking in schools, this program helps teach families to have their children begin saving for their future at a young age. It also gives students an incentive to read!”  The Boston Saves incentive will be applied to the accounts of all students whose families have logged in to the Savings Center for the first time since November 2022, when the platform first became available to current K2 kindergarten families. Currently, all K2-3rd grade students in BPS have Boston Saves accounts. Families of students in select older grades may also have accounts (and thus be eligible for the promotion) if they were part of the Boston Saves pilot program or joined a pilot cohort. Families that have eligible children should have received an email from bostonsaves@boston.gov with a direct link to log into their child’s account. Parents/guardians who believe their child is eligible (K2-3rd grade BPS students) but did not receive an email can contact the Boston Saves team at bostonsaves@boston.gov with their child’s name, grade and school. Find more information about Boston Saves including eligibility requirements at BostonSavesCSA.org.

麻州新州長Healey辦作文比賽 辦公室掛哪個州長肖像請學生挑

Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll Launch Portrait Essay Contest for Students  

BOSTON –Governor Maura T. Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kimberley Driscoll today launched a portrait essay contest for Massachusetts students. It’s a tradition that each new Governor and Lieutenant Governor select a portrait of a former Massachusetts Governor to hang in their offices at the State House.   

Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll are asking Massachusetts students to research and suggest a former Governor who inspires them and should be featured in their offices. The winners will be invited to the State House to meet with Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for the unveiling of their chosen portraits. 

“The State House is the people’s house, and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and I want our future leaders to have a voice in the symbols and messages we choose to highlight,” said Governor Healey. “This is an exciting opportunity for Massachusetts students to learn more about our state’s history and determine for themselves what makes a great leader. We can’t wait to review the submissions.”  

“Governor Healey and I will be looking at these portraits every day while we are making important decisions that impact the lives of all Massachusetts residents,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “Each time we see the portraits, we’ll be reminded of the lessons we learned from these student essays. We hope that all students will participate in this unique opportunity to shape our state’s future.”  

The contest is open to all Massachusetts students. Essays should be less than 600 words and should answer this question: Which former Massachusetts governor inspires you the most, and why should their portrait hang in the Governor or Lieutenant Governor’s office? Students should also include at least 1-2 sentences about how they researched their chosen governor. Essays are due on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 11:59 pm. Additional details and submission instructions can be found here.  

“Massachusetts has a long history of impressive governors who have left a lasting mark not only on our state but on our entire country. Students are going to learn a lot about our history and government through this contest, and maybe it will even spark the interest of a future governor,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “We’re asking school administrators, educators, community groups and families to help us get the word out about the portrait contest to all students, including those who attend public or private school and those who are homeschooled.” 

波士頓僑胞元旦升旗 迎接2023邁向兔年

波士頓僑胞團聚迎新年。 (周菊子攝)

僑胞們在波士頓僑教中心戶外場地舉行元旦升旗典禮。 (周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士 頓報導) 跨入2023年的第一天早上，逾百名僑胞從各地趕到波士頓僑教中心參加升旗典禮，仰看青天白日滿地紅國旗冉冉上升，祝願中華民國與天同昌，大波士頓華人社區團結、和諧，共同繁榮。

              僑委會這天也趁高興，頒發感謝狀給所有協助僑委會慶祝成立90週年的僑團及代表。

波士頓榮光會會長袁建業(右)，國民黨波士頓分部常委江文玲(左)展開國旗。 (周菊子攝)

              整個升旗典禮儀式，簡單隆重。會場中的僑胞們，既有年逾90的波士頓榮光會會員劉有成、華人經濟發展協會前行政主任陳志清，年逾80的創辦波克萊台商會人游勝雄，也有海外青年文化大使 (FASCA)許凱菲等還在念高中的青少年，老中青同聚一堂，漸有傳承。

僑胞們在波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮宣佈儀式開始後，和駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元，在牛頓高地社區中心外的旗竿前，向波士頓榮光會會長袁建業，國民黨波士頓分部常委江文玲展開的國旗行注目禮，在國歌聲中看著波士頓龍舟隊教練盧信瑋和隊長李鴻宇把國旗冉冉升到旗桿頂端，飄在美麗的藍天白雲中。

波士頓經文處處長的母親達黔英，處長孫儉元(右三起)和波士頓僑務委員陳仕維夫婦，
波士頓僑務諮詢委員蔣宗壬等和僑胞們一起參加升旗典禮。 (周菊子攝)

              波士頓經文處處長孫儉元，牛頓高地社區發展協會主委John Rice，波士頓僑務委員陳仕維，紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝，波士頓僑務諮詢委員蔣宗壬在僑胞們回到高地社區中心體育館坐下後，一一致詞。

波士頓經文處處長孫儉元代表僑委會頒發感謝狀給協助僑委會慶祝成立90週年的僑團
及代表。 (周菊子攝)

              孫儉元處長先感謝僑胞們參加中華民國開國112年的元旦升旗典禮，接著以波士頓在12月31日晚還陰雨綿綿，1月1日一大早就風和日麗做比喻，稱台灣也度過重重難關，破除了新冠病毒等陰霾，捱過了中國的武力威脅，還得到經濟成長率比許多國家好很多的亮麗成績，新年之後，必將開拓新局。他也感謝僑胞們一直以來給經文處的支持，並趕在1月22日兔年來到前，向僑胞們拜早年，祝願僑胞們事事順心，兔年吉祥。

              牛頓高地社區發展協會主委John Rice稱牛頓市和波士頓經文處合作多年，關係極佳，「牛頓台灣日」更是從2007年創辦以後，越辦越好，整個社區遊樂場都得挪出來辦活動，他很期待今年盛況再現。

              波士頓僑務委員陳仕維以廣東話、英文，祝福僑胞們有個快樂，健康，繁榮的新年。

波士頓經文處處長孫儉元在元旦升旗禮中致詞。 (周菊子攝)

              紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝以英文、廣東話憶述去年華人社區和經文處合作，在波士頓市府廣場舉行了盛大雙十國慶升旗典禮，今日再在牛頓市看到中華民國的國旗徐徐升起，不但高興，更覺驕傲，他祝願中華民國國運昌隆，所有僑胞身體健康。

              波士頓僑務諮詢委員蔣宗壬提醒僑胞們，今年5月還會辦「牛頓台灣日」，請大家踴躍參加。

              元旦升旗典禮最後在中華民俗藝術工作坊的精彩擊鼓、舞龍、舞蹈、扯鈴，以及洪青體育會的舞獅表演中圓滿落幕。  (所有圖片，周菊子攝)

波士頓僑務委員陳仕維致詞。

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝致詞。

波士頓僑務諮詢委員蔣宗壬致詞。

牛頓高地社區發展協會主委John Rice致詞。

波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮(右)主持元旦升旗活動。

中華民俗藝術工作坊擊鼓表演。

波士頓榮光會秘書長蘇麗萍(左一)與會員劉有成(中)等人拉開會旗，氣勢十足。

波士頓華埠美國退伍軍人會會長司徒文信(右一)與資深會員周暢、陳志航也來參加
元旦升旗典禮。

中華民俗藝術工作坊的扯鈴表演一向很受歡迎。

波士頓僑教中心志工鄭雪卿(左起)、陳玉瑛等人協助準備感謝狀。

中華民俗藝術工作坊舞龍。

中華民俗藝術工作坊的旗海飄揚舞蹈，舞得人心振奮。

麻州眾議員麥家威和波士頓市長吳弭合作 爭取到2500萬元建北端新社區中心

MAYOR WU & HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIR AARON MICHLEWITZ ANNOUNCE $25 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING FOR A NEW NORTH END COMMUNITY CENTER

 

City of Boston also launching facilities assessment to ensure every neighborhood has a state-of-the-art community center

 

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu，右二)和麻州眾議員麥家威 (Aaron Michlewitz) 爭取 到2500萬元經費，為北端 (North End) 建新社區中心。(周菊子攝) BOSTON- Friday, January 6, 2023- Today, Mayor Michelle Wu and House Ways and Means Chair Representative Aaron Michlewitz together announced state funding for a new Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) North End Community Center, replacing the current BCYF Nazzaro Community Center. The new center will be located adjacent to the BCYF Mirabella Pool on Commercial Street in the North End. The City will also be launching a facilities assessment to ensure access to high-quality BCYF spaces and programming for residents across the City and that facilities are being maintained at the level that families deserve.   At a press conference in the North End, the Mayor and Representative Michlewitz announced the City is receiving $25 million in state funding to support the new North End center, of which $5 million will support renovations to the current BCYF Nazzaro Community Center building to repurpose it for community uses.   “Boston has a legacy of public spaces that have created family, community and connection,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Spaces like the BCYF Nazzaro Center are critical infrastructure for our city and community members so that we can truly have neighborhoods where people live, work, play, and grow together. Every neighborhood deserves modern spaces that reflect the full needs of our communities. I’m thankful to Representative Michlewitz for securing funding for a brand new center in the North End.”  “I was proud to secure this State funding for the City of Boston,” said House Ways and Means Chairman Representative Aaron Michlewitz. “These funds will not only help to build a brand new and much needed Community Center for the North End, but it will also help preserve the old Nazzaro Center site and ensure it continues to be an asset for the neighborhood.”  The City engaged in a community process from 2017 to 2019 led by the Public Facilities Department to envision the future of a community center in the North End due to the neighborhood’s needs, outgrowing the existing Nazzaro building. The result was the recommendation to build a new center next to the BCYF Mirabella outdoor pool on Commercial Street and repurpose the existing BCYF Nazzaro building for community uses. The full cost of the new project is estimated to be $50 to $60 million.  The building that now houses the BCYF Nazzaro first opened in 1906 as a gym and bathhouse. BCYF acquired the property in 1985 and converted it into a community center.  In late spring 2023, the City will begin designing the new community center on Commercial Street and will engage the community to ensure resident’s needs are met.   “I am so grateful for the leadership of Mayor Wu and our state delegation in choosing to make this substantial investment in our city’s community centers,” said José F. Massó, Chief of Human Services. “Boston residents deserve safe, accessible, updated public facilities and this administration has made that a top priority.”  "As Chairman of the North End Athletic Association we are in full support of the proposed New North End Community Center which is long overdue,” said Ted Tomasone the Chairman of the North End Athletic Association (NEAA). “The addition of this center and the renovation of the Nazzaro center will continue to make the North End one of the most exciting neighborhoods in the City of Boston. Chairman Michlewitz continues to be a dynamic leader for the North End and the City of Boston."  Additionally, the City will soon begin a Citywide BCYF facilities assessment, which will ensure that assets are repaired and replaced proactively. The assessment will inform a comprehensive plan to better anticipate needed capital investments and plan for regular maintenance that will prevent sudden closures and the need for emergency repairs.   Boston Public Schools (BPS) has already begun an assessment of its facilities as part of the Green New Deal for BPS, which includes the BCYF facilities that are co-located in schools. BPS is prioritizing those facilities that house pools managed by BCYF for assessment. The assessment of the City’s remaining facilities will prioritize BCYF facilities and will also include recommendations for the appropriate staffing levels for maintenance.  “Our Community Centers and swimming pools are important resources that all Bostonians cherish and rely upon,” said Dion Irish, Chief of Operations. "We are excited to receive such generous support from the state, thankful for Representative Michlewitz’s advocacy, and committed to partnering with the Human Services Cabinet to build, renovate, and maintain these facilities going forward.”  “This investment in a new North End Community Center is one of several major renovations and new builds that will ensure that Boston’s residents have high-quality, green community centers with modern features that meet the needs of today’s families,” said Marta E. Rivera, Commissioner of Boston Centers for Youth & Families.     The Nazzaro Center will stay open until the new community center is complete. In the coming years, as the new community center enters construction, the City will engage with North End residents about the future of the Nazzaro building.  The Nazzaro Center and facilities assessment announcements build off of recent investments and ongoing work, including centers across the City that have recently reopened, facilities under renovation that will open soon, and new projects entering design. In November, Mayor Wu announced the opening of the East Boston Senior Center, which is operated by the City’s Age Strong Commission and managed by the Property Management Department. In October, Mayor Wu and BCYF announced the site of the first full service BCYF community center in Grove Hall.

麻州文化協會撥款75萬元給50個文化區 波士頓小西貢拉丁屯各得1萬5

Mass Cultural Council Awards $750,000 to 50 Cultural Districts across the Commonwealth

 

Cultural District Investment Grants Encourage the Development and Success of State-Designated Districts and Foster Local Cultural Preservation Efforts

 

Framingham – Mass Cultural Council, the independent state agency charged with supporting a vibrant cultural sector across the Commonwealth, was joined by state, local, and cultural partners today at the Danforth Art Museum at Framingham State University to celebrate the recipients of the Fiscal Year 2023 Cultural District Investment Grant Program.   In total, the Council awarded $750,000 to 50 state-designated cultural districts located in communities in every region of Massachusetts. Each district received $15,000 to support activities and goals that encourage its development and success, such as marketing and promotion, capacity building, artist or vendor fees, the development or implementation of creative community placemaking, placekeeping, or public art, collaborative cultural policy or strategic planning processes, or community-engaged and informed data collection and/or reporting.   “A decade ago, our partners in the Legislature asked Mass Cultural Council to develop and administer this initiative to spur cultural and economic activities in cities and towns of all sizes and in all regions of the Commonwealth,” said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. “We are immensely proud of this powerful network that works every day to uplift the diversity of creativity and culture living and working in Massachusetts, and the exciting programming the districts provide their host communities.”   Established in 2011 by an act of the state Legislature, state-designated cultural districts drive economic growth, strengthen our communities’ distinctive local character, and improve the quality of life for families across Massachusetts. By supporting cultural and creative experiences, cultural districts attract tourists and entrepreneurs, which in turn help cities and towns develop their cultural sector and expand their tax base. Cultural districts are walkable areas with a density of cultural facilities, activities, and assets. They are easy-to-navigate, act as hubs of cultural, artistic, and economic activity, and offer a place-based identity to collaborative community initiatives.   State Representatives Jack Patrick Lewis (D- Framingham), Priscila Sousa (D- Framingham), and Kate Donaghue (D- Westborough) joined Mass Cultural Council at the Danforth Art Museum today, as did Susan Nicholl, who serves as District and Special Projects Director for the Office of Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D- Ashland) and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Framingham Centre Common Cultural District. Framingham’s Director of Planning and Community Development, Sarkis Sarkisian, was also in attendance on behalf of the city.   “The Mass Cultural Council serves a vital role in supporting and expanding the rich tapestry of traditions and cultures across our Commonwealth,” said Representative Lewis. “It is an honor to join Framingham leaders in hosting the Council today, as $750,000 is awarded to cultural districts across the state, including the Framingham Centre Common Cultural District. I’ll never forget joining the late Rep. Chris Walsh in his office as he helped lay the groundwork for our local cultural district. This award is a wonderful testimony to his work and the contribution of so many in our community.”   Today’s investment, three-quarters of a million dollars, represents Mass Cultural Council’s largest grant round in the history of the Cultural District Investment Grant Program. The $15,000 grant awards made today are double the $7,500 awards approved a year ago.  Mass Cultural Council was able to increase the grants due an increase in its FY23 state budget appropriation.   When she learned of her FY23 $15,000 Investment Grant, Franklin Cultural District Committee Co-Chair Pandora Carlucci was simply amazed. “This funding will be truly transformative for our district,” she said.   To date, Mass Cultural Council has approved and supports the efforts of 51 state-designated cultural districts across Massachusetts. Communities interested in establishing a new cultural district are encouraged to connect with their assigned Communities Initiative staff member.   The following state-designated cultural districts received a $15,000 Investment Grant today:

麻州州長Maura Healey上任第一把火 設立全美第一個內閣級氣候創新辦公室

                    (Boston Orange

奚莉 (Maura Healey) 就任麻州州長，第一天就發行政命令。 (周菊子攝)

周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 麻州有史以來的第一位女州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) ，上任第一天，立即簽署行政命令，設立麻州有史以來的第一個內閣級別的環保職位，正式指派Melissa Hoffer出任麻州氣候長。

麻州有史以來的首名氣候長 Melissa Hoffer。 (周菊子攝)

             奚莉宣佈，她要在州長辦公室內設立一個氣候創新及韌力辦公室 (Office Of Climate Innovation and Resilience)，並交由氣候長來領導，負責研擬氣候相關法案，計畫，並追蹤、監管麻州政府各部會機構中的氣候政策進展，確保州政府各部會做決定時，優先考慮環保、氣候影響，採納可持續的實務作業。

奚莉辦公室表示，麻州將因此成為全美第一個州，設立內閣級職位來致力專注於氣候變化議題。

原任美國環保署副總法律顧問的Melissa Hoffer，上任麻州氣候長一職後，她將負責做初步評估，並在180天內，就各部會應如何改善涉及環保、氣候事務的決策過程，向州長提交一份初步建議。

州政府的每一內閣部會，將諮詢氣候長，指派一人擔任氣候秘書（Secretariat Climate Officers），追蹤、協調與氣候創新相關事務。

奚莉表示，氣候危機是麻州最大的挑戰，卻也是最有機會做些甚麼的地方。她在就任周長一職後的第一天就遞出這一行政命令，因為氣候議題的處理，是刻不容緩的事，唯有所有社區同心協力，麻州才能推動清潔能源經濟。

麻州新州長奚莉 (Maura Healey)率新內閣露面。 (周菊子攝)

奚莉從宣佈參選麻州州長開始，就一直強調氣候、環保。５日她發表的就職演說，也拋出遠大目標，包括要加倍離岸風力，撥出１％的州政府預算給環保機構。

麻州的州長內閣，傳統上有10名首長，加上氣候長就有11人。日前奚莉還宣佈，她將把住宅和經濟發展廳廳長這職位，拆分成２個，其中１人專責房屋事務。

在今日的記者會中，奚莉州長還宣佈她正在尋覓勞工及人力，以及健康和人民服務廳廳長。