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人生一定要有的八個朋友: 推手(Builder)、 支柱(Champion)、 同好(Collaborator)、 夥伴(Companion)、 中介(Connector)、 開心果(Energizer)、 開路者(Mind Opener)、 導師(Navigator)。 chutze@bostonorange.com ******************* All rights of articles and photos on this website are reserved.
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Governor Healey Joins Legislative Leadership to Celebrate Permanent Universal Free School Meals
Students, Faculty, Local Quincy Officials, and Community Advocates Emphasize Equity Impact of Universal Free Meals in Schools
QUINCY—Governor Maura T. Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll hosted a press conference this morning at Snug Harbor Elementary School in Quincy, Massachusetts to celebrate her administration delivering permanent universal free school meals for K-12 students in Massachusetts. The Governor was joined at the celebration by House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, Chair Aaron Michlewitz, bill sponsors Representatives Tackey Chan and Bruce Ayers, and Erin McAleer, the President and CEO of Project Bread, all of whom highlighted the impact the program is expected to have in addressing hunger and advancing equity for students across the state.
“We’re making school lunch and breakfast free for all students permanently in Massachusetts,” said Governor Healey. “By delivering universal free meals, this administration is making clear that nothing is more important than ensuring our kids are fed, healthy, and ready to learn and play and grow.”
“Universal free school meals are an investment in childhood nutrition, ensuring each of our school-aged students has access to the healthy food they need to fuel their learning,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “This policy is also removing a source of stress from families and schools, lea
The fiscal 2024 budget that Governor Healey signed on August 9, 2023 delivered $172 million in permanent state funding to provide universal free school meals for K-12 students. This funding, paired with federal reimbursement for eligible meals, means that all students who attend schools that participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs are entitled to one free lunch and breakfast each school day.
“During my 12 years as a teacher in the Quincy Public School System, I saw up-close just how important it is to ensure that a student’s ability to focus and ultimately succeed in the classroom is not affected by their family’s financial circumstances,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano. “I’m incredibly proud that Massachusetts will be one of the first 8 states to permanently provide free school meals for all students, a vital initiative that furthers the Commonwealth’s role as a national leader in education. I want to thank Chairman Michlewitz and my colleagues in the House, as well as the Healey Administration, our partners in the Senate, and the folks at Project Bread for recognizing the critical nature of this program, and for working to make it a reality.”
“Making school meals free for students in Massachusetts will keep our young people focused on learning and provide financial relief for families who will save hundreds of dollars per student every year,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “It’s a proud moment for me—and for our entire Commonwealth—to know that our students and their families will have one less thing to think about before heading out the door for class every morning.”
“Our families, schools and communities are stronger when kids don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from and when school staff don’t have to worry about whether their students are hungry,” said Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch. “We are honored to welcome Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and Speaker Mariano to Quincy today to celebrate this policy that will have widespread positive impacts for our city.”
“"Making school meals free for all is a historic victory for Massachusetts families and children. It will have a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of an entire generation. We are so grateful to Governor Healey, the legislature and the thousands of advocates across the Commonwealth who took action for our kids. It is an incredible example of the change that we can make when we all come together around a common purpose,” said Erin McAleer, President and CEO of Project Bread.
Universal free meals began as a national program with federal funding during the pandemic, and Massachusetts continued it on a trial basis. With this year’s budget, the Healey-Driscoll Administration
“Food security is essential for learning, which is why the Healey-Driscoll administration has delivered $172 million for universal school lunch in our first budget,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “It’s related to a hierarchy of need—students can’t be focus on their lessons in the classroom if they continue to be hungry. Aligned with our goals to stabilize, heal, and transform our education system, this funding will ensure that students can focus on their classes in school, instead of where their next meal is coming from.”
“Thank you to Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Speaker Mariano, and Chairman Michlewitz for the leadership in enacting this very important legislation for our students and families,” said Quincy Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Mulvey. “Since the inception of this universal meals program, Quincy Public Schools has seen a 25% increase in the number of meals served. The funding will help us improve the overall quality and freshness of our meals by expanding purchasing of food items grown locally”
The universal free school meals program will cover the cost of one lunch and breakfast including fruit, vegetables and whole grains, as per the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. School cafeterias might also choose to offer “a la carte” items for a fee. These items might include milk (if purchased alone) or an extra slice of pizza, and students must pay for those. Students must also pay if they want a second lunch or breakfast on the same day. Students’ first complete breakfast and lunch each day is covered.
麻州州長Maura Healey。 (檔案照片,周菊子攝) |
凡是年滿16歲至21歲的麻州居民,都可申請加入這州長的青年顧問委員會。報名截止日期為10月14日。
奚莉州長表示,那些她曾經遇到過,讓自己的聲音被人聽見,在麻州所面對的最急切問題上,要求高層做得更多的年輕人,讓她深感鼓舞,覺得這些年輕人在決策桌上應有一席之位。她認為年輕人在對抗氣候、教育、心理健康、槍支暴力等問題中成長,對這些議題有獨特立場,更何況現今政府所訂的政策也對他們的未來影響最大。
奚莉州長鼓勵麻州各地年輕人申請參加這委員會,協助政府迎接時代,使麻州成為更可負擔,更有競爭力,對所有人都公平的州。
這委員會將包括每個郡 (county)至少1人,任期2年,將每季和正副州長見面一次。
麻州教育廳廳長Patrick
Tutwiler 認為年輕人都很想要加入這公民參與活動,親自試試會影響他們及同儕的政策制定。他很高興將有機會和委員會合作並提供支援。
查詢更多信息,可上網mass.gov/youthcouncil。
Governor Healey Signs Executive Order Establishing Youth Advisory Council
Applications available through October 14
BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura T. Healey signed Executive Order #617 establishing the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council to advise the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the entire administration on critical issues impacting Massachusetts, such as civic engagement, education, the environment, housing, and youth violence.
Applications to join the Youth Advisory Council will be available through October 14 for Massachusetts residents aged 16-21.
“I’ve been so inspired by the young people I’ve met who have been making their voices heard and demanding more from their leaders on the most pressing issues facing Massachusetts. They deserve a seat at the table,” said Governor Healey. “Young people are uniquely positioned to advise us on policies related to climate, education, mental health, gun violence and more – because they’ve grown up confronting these issues and it’s their futures that will be most impacted by the decisions we make today. I encourage young people across Massachusetts to apply for the council and help us meet the moment to make Massachusetts more affordable, competitive and equitable for all.”
“This is a great opportunity to bring together the innovative
The Council will include at least one from each county. They will be appointed to two-year terms and will meet with Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll quarterly.
“The innovation and creativity of our Massachusetts youth are unmatched,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “They’re all eager to be involved in civic engagement and have a hand at creating policies that will impact them and their peers. I am excited to work with and support this council to amplify the perspectives of our students and to conquer what matters most.”
Applications are due by 11:59 PM on October 14, 2023. For more information visit mass.gov/youthcouncil.
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「波音旺來」波士頓台灣音樂祭圓滿落幕,參與演出及工作人員歡喜留影。 (周菊子攝) |
「波音旺來」波士頓台灣音樂祭開幕前,一起加油。(周菊子攝) |
波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮 (左起) 、駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長 廖朝宏嘉許黃崇校和顧宗浩為僑社舉辦一場聲勢浩大的音樂會。(周菊子攝) |
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大波士頓在音樂會開場前,烏雲密佈,後來一度閃電,打雷, 颳大風,下大雨。(周菊子攝) |
You & Me Music 創辦人黃崇校從5月份發想,為音樂會徵求活動名稱開始,接著從南加大電腦系畢業,進伯克利音樂學院主修音樂製作的顧宗浩挑起活動總召任務後,他們就一起如火如荼的籌辦起來,還隨著時間推移,規模越來越大。
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觀眾們穿雨衣,撐傘,繼續看表演。(周菊子攝) |
哈佛、波士頓等的大學同學會,台大、政大及北一女的校友會,波士頓台灣影展協會、劍橋合唱團,波士頓台灣龍舟隊,波士頓台灣基督教長老教會,新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會等社團,也全都允諾到活動現場擺攤助陣,這音樂會的聲勢就開始滾雪球了。
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主持人蔡宜軒來自紐約,既是喜劇說書人 ( Stand Up Comedian) ,還創辦了Asian Creative Foundation的蔡宜軒。(You & Me Music 提供) |
11人份大同電鍋組 (包含內鍋、內鍋夾、食譜) 、迷你大同電鍋、「甦」五香紅油、古早味手工柴燒醬油清、波音旺來特製衣服、帆布袋以及手工皂、潛水體驗課程、波士頓台灣影展兩日票券,以及功夫茶禮品券等等只要報名出席音樂會,就有機會抽中的獎品,都讓這音樂會成為它節目介紹詞說的那樣,是一場fantastic
(非常棒的)活動。
當然,音樂表演才是這場音樂會的真正重頭戲。駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長廖朝宏應邀上台簡短致詞,稱許黃崇校、顧宗浩等人耗費心力,為社區製作一場這麼盛大的音樂會。僑教中心主任潘昭榮也在幕後支持。
波士頓You & Me樂團演奏,陳瑩璇演唱。(周菊子攝) |
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第二部份的演唱者Jenny Fan (范慈耘) 點名顧宗浩為音樂會付出許多心力。 顧宗浩連忙起立,雙掌合十回謝。(周菊子攝) |
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Jenny Fan (范慈耘)演唱,一副明星款。(周菊子攝) |
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JC Alula(朱冠蓉)演唱自己創作的「超級極限」。(周菊子攝) |
顧宗浩為這場音樂會感到既開心,又感動,覺得自己幸運,能把台灣音樂跟文化,藉由波音旺來呈現給更多人,還讓身處異鄉的台灣人們多了個認識新朋友、連結老朋友的平台。最最令他和所有人難忘的是,觀眾們風吹雨打不動,一路相陪,留到最後。
(9月16日更新版,臺灣夜市因天氣關係改期9月17日舉行。)
(僑務電子報 : https://ocacnews.net/article/350126?cid=2
查詢波士頓You&Me Music 資訊,可上網https://www.youtube.com/@bostonyoumemusic2645/community,或https://linktr.ee/bostontaiwanmusicfestival?fbclid=IwAR0EHR34xYyECy1fTdMtNJ_A24X1gAN4rO1NsUGTNX49hPljlAgRKLT9zgg)
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JC Alula(朱冠蓉)演唱自己創作的「超級極限」。(周菊子攝) |
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從紐約來的胡凱傑 (右) 和Bryan Lu (左) 等人演唱周杰倫的歌曲。(周菊子攝) |
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以春聯祈求別下雨了。(周菊子攝) |
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劍橋合唱團支援「波音旺來」,參加擺攤。 |
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波士頓台灣龍舟隊現場示範划龍舟。 |
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波士頓北一女校友會副會長林麗珠(右)和校友梁雅(左) 擺攤展示校友會製作的精美手工藝。 |
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波士頓台灣人基督教長老教會也來擺攤支持「波音旺來」。 |
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波士頓台灣影展協會很有心,設計出的套圈遊戲,讓更多人認識台灣。 |
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觀眾們在聚攏在牛頓市海德公園社區。 |
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右起,楊智晴、顧宗浩,林美均,黃崇校坐在第一排為台上表演者歡呼。 |
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朱冠蓉演唱自己創作的"超越極限"。 |
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在周杰倫組曲中的表演者。 |
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周杰倫組曲表演者。 |
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周杰倫組曲表演者。 |
「波音旺來」音樂會的演出分4部分。 |
主辦單位準備了很多以鳳梨為主題的商品,襯托「波音旺來」的音樂會名稱。 |
觀眾入場報到。 (周菊子攝) |
支持者購買了鳳梨圖案地毯,開場前鋪在草地上,享受野外聽音樂會的樂趣。 |
波士頓台灣影展協會大批義工出動,宣傳9月23、24兩日放映6部影片。 (周菊子攝) |