麻州政府徵求早期到高等教育的精神健康框架

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Requests Vendors to Develop Mental Health Framework for Students from Early Education through Higher Education

 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that the Executive Office of Education and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education have opened a request to solicit vendors to develop an early education through higher education mental health framework for students across Massachusetts. This new framework will inform a statewide strategy for mental and behavioral health supports through the public education and licensed child care system in Massachusetts and support coordination between early education and care programs, schools, students, families, and the state’s systems of community-based services and providers. 

 

“We have a mental health crisis that was only made worse by the pandemic, particularly for young people,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration is committed to ensuring that Massachusetts students have the behavioral health care they need to balance their mental health and education. I look forward to seeing how this framework will deepen our current efforts and provide a strategy to support students at every level of education.” 

 

“As Governor Healey and I travel around the state, we often hear about the mental health challenges happening in our early education programs, in schools and on campuses. Through this framework, as a state we will be able to better measure the mental health challenges among our students and the successful strategies and resources that help them thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. 

 

“Addressing mental health among our students was a budget priority for the Education Secretariat this year and I want to thank the Legislature for their support. With $5 million in funding, we are building a statewide framework to establish shared language around mental health, codify best practices, create better linkages between early education, K-12, and higher education, and strengthen data systems to track progress and determine whether our efforts are having the kind of impact we expect,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. 

 

The state’s fiscal year 2024 budget included $5 million for this framework. In collaboration with health and human service agencies and other key stakeholders, EOE and its agencies aim to use this framework to identify, guide, and align collective efforts to better understand and address mental and behavioral health wellness needs among students for infants/toddlers through adult learners, and use common language, strategies, and metrics.  

 

“I hear often from educators and parents around the state about the growing social-emotional needs of young children in early education and care programs and the impact this is having on the wellbeing, as well as recruitment and retention, of staff,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “This new mental health framework will deepen and expand our efforts to provide programs with the tools they need to meet the needs of children and families while also creating environments that enable children to learn and thrive, as well as provide us with better insights to the mental health challenges our youngest learners face and the ability to track improvements.” 

 

“Having a shared mental health framework will help schools support all students’ academic, social, emotional and behavioral development,” said Acting Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Russell Johnston. “This is a critical area of need and an important opportunity for collaboration among our departments to meet that need.”   

 

“Students’ success on the way to and through college requires supporting the whole student, and young people in Massachusetts have voiced that addressing mental health needs is a top priority,” said Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. “This mental health framework will be crucial to enhancing, connecting and growing efforts to support students in schools and on campuses.” 

 

The framework builds on the administration’s existing efforts to support student mental health, including investing $13 million in the Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition (BRYT) program, an in-school program supporting students who have fallen behind academically due to challenges with their mental health. This was the first time the state provided funding to establish BRYT in schools. There are also opportunities like DESE’s Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health Grant and EEC’s Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Grants, which the administration increased the funding for by $2 million annually. 

 

Interested vendors can find the RFQ on COMMBUYS. 

波士頓黃氏過冬至、慶聖誕 百餘宗親吃湯圓、領年曆 (圖片)

黃氏公所主席黃偉健夫婦(右三、四)，黃光沐夫婦(左一、二)，以及婦女部主任
黃周麗桃(右二)、黃國麟(右一)歡迎波士頓僑教中心主任高家富(左三)
參加冬至、聖誕聚會。(周菊子攝)

波士頓僑教中心主任高家富(中)送上賀禮，黃周麗桃(右二)代表接受。(周菊子攝)

黃氏宗親會百餘宗親、好友，12月14日中午在五樓會所慶祝冬至、聖誕，聚會吃湯圓。

為了準備一百多人份的湯圓，黃氏宗親一大早就到會所切菜，做湯圓。

黃周麗桃(右)邀波士頓僑教中心主任高家富參加冬至聚會，
代表黃氏驚喜收禮物。

黃周麗桃(左)歡迎2名MIT博士宗親出席冬至聚會。

書法老師劉裕鵬(右)、宋汝文夫婦稱讚黃氏宗親做的湯圓，味道真好。

方便宗親們吃不完，帶回家，婦女部成員把湯圓一盒盒的裝好，再分發給宗親們。

黃氏宗親們紛桌圍聚，享用美味湯圓。

黃氏宗親們邊舀湯圓，邊聊天。

波士頓僑教中心設宴感謝志工 廖朝宏期許僑胞延續合作傳統

波士頓僑教中心舉辦志工感恩餐會。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange) 波士頓僑教中心12月10日在波士頓華埠龍鳳酒樓，席開5桌，感謝志工過去一年，協助僑教中心與經文處順利舉辦各項活動。經文處處長廖朝宏期許未來，能有更多青年朋友參與。

右起，陳仕維、廖朝宏處長、蔣宗壬，史美芳夫婦、余麗媖、伍振中、黃國麟，
後排右起，雷國輝、陳秀珍夫婦，高家副主任、黃周麗桃等人
在志工感恩餐會中坐在主桌。(周菊子攝)

              在現場播放的幻燈片中，波士頓僑教中心列出了過去一年來，從1月元旦升旗/揮春，2月僑務幹部座談會，4到5月支持台灣入世界衛生組織 (WHO)和大會(WHA)，5月牛頓台灣日，6月台灣夜市，7月開會籌備國慶，8和9月支持台灣入聯合國 (UN)，10月雙十國慶，11月辦僑務座談等活動。

              波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏表示，這許許多多活動，都是在志工努力協辦，僑胞熱情參與中圓滿舉辦，這天剛好到任100天的波士頓僑教中心主任高家富，也看到了波士頓僑胞和其他地方多不一樣，不分老僑、新僑，不論從那裡來，都特別的團結。他希望這傳統未來能夠繼續下去。

左起，張惠雯、盧彥均、Riva Chen、邱哲偉、游子揚、江孟辰、
李佳蓉、吳杏玫、林致中。 (周菊子攝)

              廖朝宏還特地指出當晚有一桌全是青年朋友，期許將來的僑社活動，有更多青年朋友參加。

              波士頓僑教中心主任高家富這天，特地安排波士頓僑務委員陳仕維，紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長盧彥君，依序分別匯報回台參加僑務會議，以及在休士頓舉行的第71期北美僑社工作研討會，在台灣舉行的全球僑務青年交流論壇等活動概況。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(左)和波士頓僑教中心主任高家富(右)
感謝志工們過去一年來的協助。 (周菊子攝)

              陳仕維表示，今年和過往有點不同的是，為遷就賴清德總統行程，開幕禮改在晚上。拍照也和往年全體合影有別，由賴總統撥出充足時間，和僑務委員們一一合影。蕭美琴副總統雖因公務繁忙，未能參加閉幕式，但全程出席晚宴，和僑務委員們親切傾談。

波士頓僑務委員陳仕維。(周菊子攝)

              和往年一樣的是，僑委會在會中很清楚的說明對海外僑民的支持。協勝公會，安良工商會及洪門致公堂都有代表參加。一名來自美京的代表，還解釋了僑委會尊重傳統僑社的原因。

              在這次的會議中，僑委會還安排了              多倫多、芝加哥的僑務委員報告他們自發性製作佈告牌，刊登廣告，宣傳中華民國台灣等行動，展現老僑、新僑團結一致，要讓美加主流社會更認識台灣。

紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長盧彥君分享心得。(周菊子攝)

              盧彥君表示，這兩場會議都讓他不但深受啟發，拓展了人脈，還學習到許多事物，包括在美國如何推動僑務工作，辨別假消息，運用社區媒體等。全球僑務青年交流論壇那場活動，則是讓他第一次知道，原來非洲、南美洲阿根廷都有這麼多台灣人，也聽到了世界各地台灣人所面對的推動僑務困境。僑委會還為他們安排了很多認識台灣的課程，包括台灣的性平教育，企業社會責任 (ESG)，節能減碳上的科技發展等，收穫十分豐富。

中華公所主席雷國輝。(周菊子攝)

              紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝當晚也應邀上台分享。他表示中華公所做為橋樑，辦了許多活動，包括歡迎中華民國前總統馬英九，台北市長蔣萬安的座談會、歡迎會。他還和余麗媖一起參加牛頓臺灣日，舉辦台灣夜市等活動，和華埠內外僑團通力合作的維繫了彼此間的緊密關係，推廣了人們對中華民國台灣風土人情的認識。讓人尤其高興的是，他們還和很多年輕朋友有了互動。

波士頓僑教中心請志工們協助宣傳行銷台灣。(周菊子攝)

波士頓僑教中心2024年內舉辦過的大活動。

              當天應邀出席的志工，包括現任波士頓僑務委員陳仕維，前任波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬夫婦，曾任僑務委員的陳家驊，全美洪門致公堂總理余麗媖，中華公所5名職員，雷國輝夫婦，翁宇才，阮鴻燦，余寶愛，張青梅，辦公室主任鄺坤珍一家3口，波士頓國民黨常委張韻蘭，關美玲夫婦，李奇舜，伍胥山公所主席伍振中，紐英崙至德三德公所元老周麗桃，黃氏宗親會議長黃國麟，昭倫公所主席謝如鍵，波士頓華商會翁偉健、黎健慈，紐英崙客家鄉親會的曾氏兄弟及鄭玉春夫婦，陳玉瑛，波士頓台灣龍舟隊的邱偉哲，張惠雯，紐英崙中華專業人員協會董事長游子楊，會長盧彥均，波士頓世衛協進會會長Riva Chen，波士頓台大校友會會長李佳蓉，前會長吳姓玫，波士頓台灣電影協會會長林致中，新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會會長江孟辰等人。

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Massachusetts Named ‘Best State’ for College Students

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Massachusetts Named ‘Best State’ for College Students 

National nonprofit tech company SmileHub found Massachusetts is #1 in higher education, especially for quality and support 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration is celebrating that Massachusetts has been named the best state in the country for college students by the national nonprofit tech research company SmileHub.  

SmileHub looked at 28 key metrics in all 50 states to determine the top spot, including graduation rates, student-faculty ratio, retention rates, state funding and cost, ranking Massachusetts number one overall, edging out New York, Illinois, Rhode Island and California. The state was also number one for education quality and support.  

“Anyone looking to pursue a higher education degree should look no further than Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts has long been a leader in education and this recognition underscores the extraordinary opportunities our state provides to college students. Whether it’s a four-year private university or two-year public institution, we are committed to ensuring every student can access an affordable, high-quality education that sets them up for lifelong success.”   

“We’re excited to see Massachusetts recognized for creating an environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration is dedicated to breaking down barriers to higher education, so every person has the opportunity to succeed and contribute to our state’s future.”   

The administration has made transformational progress in higher education over the last two years, building a system that truly delivers a high-quality education for every Massachusetts student, regardless of zip-code, background, or circumstance:  

• Launched free community college, which preliminary data from this fall shows has increased enrollment at Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges by 14 percent. Massachusetts has one of the most accessible, equitable and comprehensive free community college programs in the country for full-time and part-time students, regardless of income.    

• This significant increase follows an 8.7 percent enrollment increase last year, driven by Governor Maura Healey’s MassReconnect program that made community college free for students 25 and older last year.  

• Massachusetts has increased enrollment at its public four-year colleges for the first time in over a decade, due to significant state financial aid expansion – the administration made public four-year degrees tuition and fee free for low-income students and reduced by up to half of out-of-pocket expenses for middle income students.  

• Ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the legality of race-based higher education admissions criteria in June 2023, the administration established an Advisory Council to Advance Representation in Education that released comprehensive recommendations this fall. The report provides Massachusetts colleges and universities with resources to enhance access into the state’s higher education system and provide a high-quality experience to all students regardless of background.  

“This honor shows why Massachusetts is the best place to live and go to school, and reflects the collaborative efforts of students, educators, policymakers and community leaders who prioritize the success of our students,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “We will continue to invest in programs and systems that support academic achievement, workforce development, and personal growth for all students.”  

“Massachusetts offers unmatched opportunities for our learners to learn, grow, and innovate” said Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. “This ranking is a testament to the hard work of our institutions and overwhelming success in our higher ed investments throughout the Commonwealth.”  

In August, WalletHub named Massachusetts the best state to live in, citing its world-class health care system and high-quality education, including the fourth-best high school graduation rate in the country at over 90 percent. 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates More Than $18 Million Through Community One Stop for Growth

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates More Than $18 Million Through Community One Stop for Growth

Gardner, Mass. – Today, the Healey-Driscoll administration joined state and local officials in Gardner to celebrate awards through Community One Stop for Growth, including $18,704,674 for 37 grant awards through the Underutilized Properties Program. 

These grants were included in the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s recently announced $161 million for 313 grant awards to support local economic development projects in 171 communities across the state. The Mass Leads Act, a far-reaching $4 billion economic development bill that Governor Healey signed into law this fall, reauthorizes several programs in the Community One Stop for Growth, including $90 million for the Underutilized Properties Program.  

“Revitalizing underutilized properties is essential for driving economic growth in our communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These investments will create new opportunities across Massachusetts by transforming neglected spaces into housing, businesses and public spaces.” 

“The Underutilized Properties Program is an important initiative for unlocking our cities and towns’ economic potential,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This funding will support 37 important projects like elevator repairs, child care space expansion, historic site preservation and more. We are excited to see how these projects will help address the critical needs of our communities.” 

“Through Community One Stop for Growth, we’re building stronger communities throughout Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “By redeveloping blighted and vacant properties, we are fostering an equitable economy for future generations and ensuring that every community has the right resources to succeed.”  

“These state grants directly enhance our communities with new housing, shops, restaurants, workspaces, and other amenities in what were once underutilized or vacant buildings,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “MassDevelopment is proud to administer the Underutilized Properties Program on behalf of the Commonwealth and is grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Legislature for their continued support of this high-impact economic development tool.” 

The Underutilized Properties Program, which is administered by MassDevelopment, targets underutilized, abandoned, or vacant properties by supporting efforts that eliminate blight, increase housing production, support economic development projects, or increase the number of commercial buildings accessible to individuals with disabilities. The program offers grants ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000 for capital improvements and predevelopment activities, including building stabilization, roof repair, HVAC system improvements, tenant improvements, and compliance with building codes and safety regulations.  

This year’s awards will fund improvements to 37 properties in 23 communities. The town of Dunstable, town of Northbridge, and Winchendon's Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center are receiving One Stop grants through the Underutilized Properties Program for the first time. Of the 37 applications awarded, 59 percent are located in a Gateway City, 43 percent are located in an MBTA Community, 49 percent are located in a Housing Choice Community, and 11 percent are located in a Rural Community. Since the program was created in 2021, it has supported 145 awards for a total investment of more than $64 million. 

“It’s very exciting to see how Gardner has been revitalized through hard work on the local level and the use of funding from the One Stop Awards,” said State Senator Peter Durant, R-Spencer. “The city is reinventing its downtown area with new vision for housing and commercial spaces in buildings that might otherwise have become eyesores. The city should be very proud of these projects.” 

“The City of Gardner is happy to host today’s grant announcements for the Underutilized Properties Program and celebrate the successes of the One Stop for Growth program. Gardner has seen firsthand the ways that the UPP Grants truly change the face of a community and bring new life into areas that were once viewed as dead and rundown,” said City of Gardner Mayor Michael J. Nicholson. “The UPP Grants we’ve received in previous years and the HousingWorks Grant we received this year are making substantial positive impacts - transforming blight into promise in the heart of our Downtown. Funding like the awards that were announced today help both revitalize our communities and combat the need for increased housing production across the Commonwealth. I’d like to thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their continued investment in our communities to build a stronger Commonwealth.” 

Underutilized Properties Program Awards 

Adams Theater LLC, Adams - $276,048 
Adams Theater LLC will use this grant to revitalize its historic theater. 

Elmer's Community Center Inc., Ashfield - $381,232 
Elmer's Community Center Inc. will use this grant to restore the historic and underutilized Elmer's building. 

Union Theatre Plaza LLC, Attleboro - $419,500 
Union Theatre Plaza LLC will use this grant to revitalize its historic theater. 

Hyde Square Task Force, Boston - $783,369 
Hyde Square Task Force will use this grant to redevelop Blessed Sacrament into 55 units of affordable housing for income levels between 30-80 percent AMI, as well as a performance space for community benefit. 

Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, Boston - $579,533 
Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation will use this grant to transform the former Dorchester Savings Bank to a commercial space to support arts, culture and community-oriented uses. 

Children's Services of Roxbury, Boston - $500,000 
Children's Services of Roxbury will use this grant to transform two underutilized buildings and a vacant structure in Nubian Square into an economic development center. 

CommonWealth Kitchen, Boston - $150,000 
CommonWealth Kitchen will use this grant to optimize space expanding its co-manufacturing capacity. 

157 Centre Street LLC, Brockton - $444,000 
157 Centre Street LLC will use this grant to install an elevator for a vacant building with 28 housing units next to the commuter rail and bus station. 

Housing Assistance Corporation, Dennis - $158,400 
The Housing Assistance Corporation will use this grant to convert a former nursing home into transitional housing for more than 70 families. 

Town of Dunstable, Dunstable - $50,000 
Town of Dunstable will use this grant to convert the Union School Building into a space that will be leased for community spaces, childcare centers, artisan studios and/or shared workspaces. 

CitySpace, Easthampton - $501,830 
CitySpace will use this grant to complete Phase II of the Old Town Hall addressing accessibility improvements to make the venue accessible to all. 

Durfee Trust Limited Partnership, Fall River - $558,400 
Durfee Trust Limited Partnership will use this grant to convert a former bank into 22 market-rate, one-bedroom apartments. 

MassCan Capital LLC, Fall River - $250,000 
MassCan Capital LLC will use this grant towards the adaptive reuse of Globe Mill into over 80 market-rate residential units. 

Royal 545 Main Street LLC, Falmouth - $669,955 
Royal 545 Main Street LLC will use this grant to renovate a former nursing home into 67 fully furnished units of affordable workforce housing for year-round and seasonal employees. 

Watch Us Grow LLC, Fitchburg - $875,408 
Watch Us Grow LLC will use this grant to redevelop eight market-rate apartments and one retail space on the ground floor at 347 Main Street. 

Prime Real Estate Investment LLC, Fitchburg - $839,000 
Prime Real Estate Investment LLC will use this grant to convert the second and third floors of the Bethel Building into 14 two-bedroom and two one-bedroom apartments. 

The Community Builders Inc., Greenfield - $2,763,260 
The Community Builders Inc. will use this funding towards the structural reinforcement of the Putnam building for affordable housing in a mixed-use building. 

Franklin Community Cooperative, Greenfield - $250,000 
Franklin Community Cooperative will use this funding towards the structural reinforcement of the Green Fields Market building to expand its flagship grocery store. 

Creative Haverhill, Haverhill - $470,000 
Creative Haverhill will use this funding to redevelop the former Cogswell School into art spaces offering a creative experience for all income levels. 

Wrights Block, Holyoke - $400,000 
Wrights Block will use this funding to convert its upper floors into 19 new mixed-income apartments. 

345 DWIGHT ST LLC, Holyoke - $114,000 
345 Dwight Street LLC will use this grant to redevelop Hotel Hamiliton with multiple retail and service businesses on the ground floor, workforce and market-rate housing on three floors, and a rooftop restaurant. 

BroadwayCanal-1 LLC, Lawrence - $525,000 
BroadwayCanal-1 LLC will use this grant to construct 120,000 square-feet of space for light manufacturing and small business. 

RG Realty LLC, Lowell - $450,000 
RG Realty LLC will use this grant to convert 635 Middlesex Street into a housing and business space. 

New Royal LLC, Lowell - $500,000 
New Royal LLC will use this grant to convert a historic theater into 17 units of housing and retail space for Sophia's Greek Pantry. 

Westmass Area Development Corporation, Ludlow - $892,000 
Westmass Area Development Corporation will use this grant to stabilize buildings at Ludlow Mills for new commercial space. 

City of New Bedford, New Bedford - $250,000 
City of New Bedford will use this grant to redevelop New Bedford Textile School into transit-oriented housing. 

Green Mile, New Bedford - $147,000 
Green Mile will use this grant to redevelop 105 Ashley Blvd into nine new affordable rental units. 

Town of Northbridge, Northbridge - $750,000 
Town of Northbridge will use this grant to renovate the Aldrich School Early Childcare Center to create 85 new childcare slots of which at least 50 percent are for families receiving vouchers and public subsidies. 

Allegrone Companies, Pittsfield - $626,732 
Allegrone Companies will use this grant towards Wright Building Block Phase II, which will convert the building into 14 mixed-income housing units and two storefronts. 

Elegant Stitches Inc., Pittsfield - $315,450 
Elegant Stitches Inc. will use this grant to expand its facility on 15 commercial street from 2,500 square-feet to 22,000 square-feet. 

McCaffery Interests Inc., Springfield - $500,000 
McCaffery Interests Inc. will use this grant towards the pre-construction of converting Colonial Block into 63 apartment units and ground floor retail. 

MPZ Development LLC, Springfield - $250,000 
MPZ Development LLC will use this grant towards the pre-construction of converting Brightwood School Apartments into 57 units of senior rental apartments. 

Hope for Youth & Families, Springfield - $160,000 
Hope for Youth & Families will use this grant towards the pre-construction of its arts center that will provide free programs to Springfield youth. 

12 Porter Street Development LLC, Taunton - $616,926 
12 Porter Street Development LLC will use this grant to repair a 144-year-old building at 12 Porter Street that will have 10 rental units. 

True Diversity Inc., Taunton - $228,914 
True Diversity Inc. will use this grant to revitalize The Loft in Taunton's Whittenton Village into a Clean Energy Community Resilience Hub, which will include a workforce center and event space. 

Northcounty Group Inc., Taunton - $100,000 
Northcounty Group Inc. will use this grant to revitalize the commercial space at 74 Weir Street. 

Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, Winchendon - $876,717 
Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center will use this grant to redevelop the Streeter and Poland schools for the creation of 44 one-bedroom units of affordable veterans housing. 

新英格蘭中文教師專業協會王郁平接任會長 華語文測驗或麻州雙語認證

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(前中)和教育組組長黃薳玉，僑教中心主任
高家富等人和出席教師們合影。(波士頓經文處教育組提供)

              (Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導) 新英格蘭中文教師專業協會11月7日舉辦冬季教師研習會，新舊會長交接儀式。波士頓經文處教育組組長黃薳玉專程到會報告，「華語文能力測驗」已於今年6月獲麻州教育廳認可為「雙語徽章」檢測選項，盼老師們多加利用。

卸任會長許英伶(左)把會長棒子交給王郁苹(右)，並請前任會長張君芳(中)
為研習會當主講人。(周菊子攝)

              波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏、教育組組長黃薳玉，波士頓僑教中心主任高家富當天應邀出席，見證現任會長許英伶把會長重任移交給獲有教育碩士學位，在台灣曾任英文老師的蔚藍中學中文老師王郁苹。

              廖朝宏處長感謝老師們在海外推廣華語文教育的努力，表示經文處將為老師們做後盾，竭力支援。

波士頓經文處教育組組長黃薳玉 (左) 到會說明麻州採納「華語文能力測驗」
結果，列為雙語徽章，並嘉勉王明德擔任新英格蘭中文教師專業協會
財政多年的辛勞。(周菊子攝)

              黃薳玉組長在會中介紹了教育部為海外教師提供的資源與服務，並特地說明，由於教育部的，「華語文能力測驗」已於今年6月獲麻州教育廳認可為「雙語徽章」檢測選項，華語測驗推動工作委員會已為此錄製說明影片，供老師們參考，藉以鼓勵學生們參加華語文能力測驗。

              波士頓僑教中心高家富則藉機鼓勵海外華語文教師把僑委會的「台灣華語文學習中心 (TCML)」介紹給主流社會。他還特別說明今年的海外青年英語服務營，為僑委會華語文學習中心及主流學校老師們所推薦的學生，新增了名額，歡迎老師們推薦學生報名。

左起，勒星頓中文學校老師龍宇、王月娥和Concord中學6到8年級老師鄭專如
展示蛇年幸運風鈴掛飾手工藝製作成果。(周菊子攝)

              當天的冬季教師研習會部分，由張君芳以迎接蛇年為主題，講談”結合學習中文的手工藝”。

              張君芳以他個人的教學案例闡述，設計”結合學習中文的手工藝"時，要顧及學生程度，課堂時間，材料是否容易取得，用簡易工具與盡量少的經費，融合中文與文化的教學，再加入成果展覽及教學考核等元素。

張君芳進一步說明華語文能力測驗已成為麻州雙語徽章認可的語言
測驗夥伴。(波士頓經文處教育組提供)

              由於2025是蛇年，張君芳特地以蛇為主角，解說並示範蛇年幸運風鈴掛飾，新年冰箱貼，蛇年創意書法卡片的製作。她還提醒老師在做教學考核時要顧及學生的學習目標，專業練習目標，以及課程計畫、教授所有的學生，家人及社區參與，專業文化等4個標準。

              張君芳指出，要求學生在蛇年幸運風鈴掛飾上寫祝賀新年的吉祥話，就讓學生們既學中文，也學到中華傳統文化中的新年習俗，12生肖的由來，又讓學生在下課後有成品可以拿回家展示。

新英格蘭中文教師專業協會在僑教中心舉辦冬季研習會。(周菊子攝)

              當天參加研習會的18名老師，聽講時頻爆笑聲，還不斷抽獎領取模貼，僑委會送的創意鑰匙環，書法練習紙，邊學邊玩，非常開心。

              新會長王郁苹表示，來年將繼續舉辦研習課程，郊遊聚會，幫助老師們進修，聯誼交流。