麻州政府撥款1400萬元資助9所州立大專院校改善畢業率

              (Boston Orange 摘譯) 麻州政府宣佈，將從2025會計年度預算中撥款1400萬元，資助9所麻州州立大學，設立同儕導師、學術工作坊，以及顧問等服務，尤其是要幫助那些一向得不到足夠服務的學生們，以改善學生畢業率，彌平高等教的公平差距，。

              麻州政府指出，在2022年秋到2023年秋的這個學年中，社區大學因為「成功項目」補助，留住學生的百分比，增加了10%。鑒於這成果，州政府決定第一次的，把「成功項目」補助對象擴大到州立大學。

              州立大學的「成功項目」將允許各校在校園內推出新服務，支持一向獲得服務不足的學生群，包括有色人種、殘障、以及同性戀(LGBTQ+) 等學生，或者是低收入家庭學生，以及家中第一個上大學的學生。

              根據高等教育廳最新數據，，州立大學有30%的學生未能在註冊入學後的6年之內順利畢業，其中黑人及拉丁裔學生的比例更超過40%。為改善這種情況，州政府決定從包括社區大學的2870萬美元的「成功計畫 (SUCCESS)」預算，撥出1400萬美元給9所州立大學，在學費之外的食品、居住等基本生活需求方面，給學生更多額外的金錢幫助。

              州政府也指出，過去2年來，州政府為擴大州立大專院校的可負擔性，讓州民更容易的就能夠上大學，已經把州政府的財務援助經費增加了2億元。

              在州立大學「成功項目」的1400萬元經費之外，麻州2025年財政預算還投資了1470萬元給社區學院，包括一筆新的，250萬高等教育持續基金，以幫助學生解決實務、居住，托兒照顧、交通等基本需求。

              麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey)、副州長Kim Driscoll，教育廳廳長  Patrick Tutwiler博士，高等教育委員Noe Ortega等人，都非常認可這一項目。

              9所大學獲得的資助額分別為:

橋水大學 (Bridgewater State University): $2,895,955 

費奇堡州立大學 (Fitchburg State University): $1,297,587 

傅萊明罕州立大學 (Framingham State University): $1,315,502 

麻州藝術及設計學院 (Massachusetts College of Art and Design): $890,286 

麻州文學院 (Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts): $684,096 

麻州海事學院 (Massachusetts Maritime Academy): $713,536 

塞冷州立大學 (Salem State University): $2,050,053 

魏斯菲爾德州立大學 (Westfield State University): $1,532,795 

屋斯特州立大學 (Worcester State University): $1,620,191 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $14 million to Increase Graduation Rates at State Universities 

SUCCESS grants available to state universities for the first time; Will fund peer mentors, academic and career advising, other student supports 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that it is awarding $14 million from the fiscal year 2025 budget to support student success programming at Massachusetts’ nine state universities. These funds support services such as peer mentors, academic skills workshops, and academic, career and scholarship advising aimed at increasing graduation rates, particularly among historically underserved students.  

Massachusetts is extending SUCCESS funding to state universities for the first time, which has been available to community colleges in recent years. This type of funding contributed to a 10-percentage point increase in community college student retention from fall 2022 to fall 2023.  

“To best support our students, we know that we need to help them get both to and through college,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’ve made progress in making it more affordable for students to enroll in college, and this program will now lift barriers that arise on the way to graduation, especially for first-generation college students who cannot draw on a parent’s experience to navigate earning a degree.”   

“An educated workforce benefits all of Massachusetts, but those benefits are only realized if students can succeed in college and graduate ready to launch their careers,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The SUCCESS program is a crucial tool for supporting students and closing equity gaps in college graduation rates.”  

The State University SUCCESS program will allow campuses to create new services to support vulnerable or historically underserved student populations, including students of color, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, and students who are low-income or first-generation to college. This funding builds on a key focus area of the administration’s recent report on Advancing Representation in Higher Education: to increase persistence and completion for historically underserved and underrepresented students. 

According to the Department of Higher Education’s most recent data, more than 30 percent of state university students do not earn a degree within six years of enrolling. Among Black and Latino students, more than 40 percent of students do not graduate within six years of enrolling at a Massachusetts state university.  

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is working to be number one in education for all students, and that means providing campuses with the supports they need to promote student well-being and success,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “I want to thank the Legislature for their partnership in supporting wraparound services for students, continuing to make Massachusetts the best place to live and go to school.” 

“To close equity gaps in higher education, we must support the whole student,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “We cannot wait to lift barriers that keep many students from realizing the socio-economic upward mobility that comes from earning a college degree. I’m grateful to Governor Healey and the legislature for supporting crucial wraparound services that have been shown to have a positive impact on student persistence.”  

In addition to the $14 million for the State University SUCCESS program, the state fiscal year 2025 budget also invested $14.7 million for community colleges, making a total $28.7 million investment in SUCCESS programming. Further, the budget included a new Higher Education Persistence Fund at $2.5 million to help address students’ basic needs, such as food security, housing, child care, and transportation.  

Under the Healey-Driscoll Administration, state financial aid has increased by more than $200 million in the past two years. This has also enabled the expansion of MASSGrant Plus, which gives free tuition and fees to Pell Grant eligible students at all public colleges and universities, including the nine state universities and the University of Massachusetts. MASSGrant Plus also lowers costs for middle-income students. Financial aid and SUCCESS and related student support programs help ensure that students can not only access college but are also set up to succeed when they arrive.  

"Expanding the SUCCESS program to our state university system will help our students be able to thrive," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "At our community colleges, this program has boosted completion rates for the students who face the greatest challenges. I am excited to see these academic and peer supports extend to even more Massachusetts students." 

"I am proud of the House's work championing the expansion of SUCCESS funding in this year's budget, as it will ensure essential wraparound support services for our most vulnerable state university students," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "By investing in key supports like enhanced mentoring and personalized advising, we are breaking down barriers to academic success and ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive. This program is a testament to the House's commitment to student achievement and equity in higher education. Thanks to our partners in the Healey-Driscoll Administration, I look forward to the positive impact this program will have on students in the Commonwealth." 

"I am thrilled to see the aptly named SUCCESS program expand to state universities. This program helps our most vulnerable students persist and earn a college degree,” said Senator Jo Comerford, Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Higher Education (D-Northampton). “I am grateful to my colleagues in the Legislature and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for supporting the funding that made this expansion possible, as well as to the intrepid team at DHE for their implementation work." 

“Massachusetts has made historic investments in higher education affordability and access. Today’s announcement builds on that progress and helps to ensure that students – particularly those from underrepresented communities – have the tools and support they need to succeed,” said Representative Dave Rogers, House Chair, Joint Committee on Higher Education (D-Cambridge). “I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for their continued support of our schools and students.” 

“The expansion of SUCCESS funds will allow our state universities to grow programming to reach even more students looking to advance their education, said Dr. Linda Thompson, Chair of the Massachusetts State Universities Council of Presidents, and President of Westfield State University. “We are confident the funding initiatives brought by the Healey-Driscoll Administration will reach those individuals who want to stay in Massachusetts, build businesses, support our economy, and strengthen their families. At Westfield State University, expansion of SUCCESS will benefit our LEAD Scholars program, or the Leadership, Excellence, Achievement and Diversity program which has been active on campus for almost 60 years. LEAD emphasizes our university’s dedication to cultivating excellence in all students, acknowledging their achievements, and celebrating the diversity that enriches our campus community. LEAD Scholars enables our students to take the lead in the classroom, within our campus, their own communities, and beyond.”  

Award amounts are based in part on the number of Pell Grant-eligible state university students and state university enrollment of each institution:

• Bridgewater State University: $2,895,955 

• Fitchburg State University: $1,297,587 

• Framingham State University: $1,315,502 

• Massachusetts College of Art and Design: $890,286 

• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: $684,096 

• Massachusetts Maritime Academy: $713,536 

• Salem State University: $2,050,053 

• Westfield State University: $1,532,795 

• Worcester State University: $1,620,191 

台山婦女慶祝聖誕節 包氏文藝中心發紅包給小朋友

波士頓台山鄉親聯誼會婦女组慶祝聖誕節，邀台山會長黃紹培(第二排坐者左三)，副會長黃偉健 (第二排左二向右)、黃漢湖、鄺元傑等嘉賓出席。
(台山鄉親會堤共

            (Boston Orange)

鄺元傑、黃偉健、黃紹培等人參加台山婦女的慶祝聚會。

波士頓台山鄉親聯誼會婦女组12月19日下午在包氏文藝中心慶祝聖誕節，數十名會員、嘉賓，戴上紅帽子，穿件綠背心，在濃濃的聖誕氣氛中共聚一堂，分享各自帶到會場的美食，歡度一下午。

波士頓台山鄉親聯誼會會長黃紹培，副會長黃偉健、黃漢胡，名譽會長鄺元傑等人，這天應邀出席，並簡短致詞，和台山婦女們同慶佳節，成為了萬紅叢中的幾點綠。他們稱許婦女部同仁在學習歌舞，健康養生之際，經常受邀參加慶典活動並表演，為社區增添許多和樂氣氛。

19日這天，台山婦女們在呼籲姊妹們邀約更多人加入婦女組，輪番表演節目助興之外，還三三兩兩的各自圍聚，天南地北的暢所欲言，互相告知社區內、親友間都發生了些什麼事。

台山婦女這天的聖誕聚會，最後在大家一起唱”友誼之光”聲中落幕，台山婦女組預定，12月28日將獻上愛心，再度前往中華頤養院，表演歌舞節目，與院民同樂。

紐約中領館新任總領事陳立到任 波士頓至少6人往賀

中國駐紐約總領事館新任總理事陳立(中)到任，波士頓的鄭慧民(右起)，何綽光，
黃國威，梁添光，潘飛等人道賀。 (黃國威提供)

             (Boston Orange) 中國駐紐約總領事館新任總理事陳立於10月27日履新後，12月3日舉辦到任招待會，全美各地有數百人出席，其中至少6人應邀從波士頓前往致賀。

              波士頓梁忠孝堂主席梁添光，全美黃氏宗親會元老暨前任紐英崙中華公所主席黃國威、藝聯慈善社顧問暨前任紐英崙中華公所主席鄭慧民，波士頓三益公所主席何綽光，亞美聯誼會主席潘飛，曾任福建同鄉會會長的謝鋒等人都應邀前往，不但和新到任的陳立總領事合影寒暄，還歡喜見到有神探之譽的李昌鈺博士。

右起，鄭慧民、黃國、梁添光、何綽光在陳立到任接待會上喜見神探李昌鈺 (中)。

              根據紐約總領事館官網的總領事到任接待會致詞稿，陳立表示他曾常駐歐洲5國，來美前在芬蘭任大使，笑說傳說芬蘭的羅瓦涅米是聖誕老人故鄉，讓他在紐約街頭看到聖誕樹時備感親切，甚至期待在第五大道上偶遇來自芬蘭的聖誕老人和麋鹿。

              第一次來美履新的陳立表示，上任一個多月以來，他走訪各地，熟悉工作，感覺到紐約人總和時間賽跑，聽到費城人認為美國歷史起點在費城，知道波士頓人一定不認同的說法，這讓他看到了美國人的自豪。

              陳立強調他的任務是拉緊中美合作，促進兩國人民的彼此認識，希望自己能走遍轄區10州，藉由英語俗諺中的”新手好運 (Beginner’s luck)”，讓中美兩國關係有”好運連連 ( Luck Streak)”的發展。

中華廣教學校前校長曾秀芬辭世 享年74歲

             (Boston Orange 編譯) 中華廣教學校前校長曾秀芬 (Felicia Tsang Lee) 與骨髓增生異常症候群搏鬥10個月後，因病情惡化成白血病，12月17日在布來根婦女醫院辭世，享年74歲。

              曾秀芬畢業於麻省理工學院、達特茅斯學院及波士頓大學，在教育界工作數十年，曾經擔任牛頓粵語中文學校校長，還是全是福 (Chelmsford) 公立特許學校創辦委員會委員之一，香港ISF學校的創校校長，也曾經擔任波士頓中華廣教學校校長。

              她身後遺有丈夫Siu Lam，3名子女，Terence, Timothy及Serena，3名孫輩子女，Henry, Jane和 Mikayla。他父親Michael，3名姊妹Shirley, Pamela和 Linda，2個媳婦Nina 和 Ella。她的孫輩是她的驕傲與喜悅，她們的愛讓她在辭世前的日子保持著希望與輕鬆心情。

              她的家人遵循她的願望，日後將在多倫多私下舉行儀式，並下葬在她母親旁邊。

              她的家人籲請有意送花的親友，改為以紀念她的名義捐款給骨髓增生異常症候群(MDS)基金會，為其他受此病症影響的患者，支持後續研究。

Felicia Tsang Lee Obituary

Felicia Tsang Lee, 74, died on December 17, 2024, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after a 10-month battle with MDS that eventually progressed to leukemia. 

A graduate of MIT, Dartmouth, and Boston University, her decades of work in the field of education included serving as principal of the Newton Cantonese School, a founding committee member of the Chelmsford Public Charter School, founding principal of the ISF Academy in Hong Kong, and principal of the Kwong Kow Chinese School in Boston.

She is survived by her husband, Siu Lam; three children, Terence, Timothy, and Serena; three grandchildren, Henry, Jane, and Mikayla; father, Michael; three sisters, Shirley, Pamela, and Linda; and two daughters-in-law, Nina and Ella. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and their love inspired her to remain hopeful and light-spirited in her final days.

In accordance with her wishes, a small private ceremony will be held in Toronto at a later date, where she will be laid to rest near her mother.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the MDS Foundation in her memory, supporting ongoing research for those affected by this condition.

(Obituary information for Felicia Tsang Lee)

麻州長Healey提名Tiffanie Ellis-Niles 和 Karin Wilinski 出任青少年法院法官

 Governor Healey Nominates Tiffanie Ellis-Niles and Karin Wilinski to Juvenile Court 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today nominated Tiffanie Ellis-Niles and Karin Wilinski to the Juvenile Court. The nominees will now be considered by the Governor’s Council for confirmation. 

“I’m excited to nominate these two incredibly smart, qualified and fair attorneys to the Juvenile Court,” said Governor Healey. “They both have tremendous experience working with juveniles and their families, and in this role, they will add important perspectives to the Court. We’re grateful for the work of the Governor’s Council as they consider these three nominations.” 

“Both of these attorneys would bring considerable skill and knowledge to the Juvenile Court, and we’re proud to nominate them for these roles,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We look forward to working with the Governor’s Council to confirm these nominees.”   

The mission of the Juvenile Court is to protect children from abuse and neglect, to promote opportunities for children to reside in safe, stable, permanent family environments, to strengthen families, to rehabilitate juveniles, and to protect the public from delinquent and criminal behavior. The Juvenile Court Department has jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters including delinquencies, youthful offender cases, care and protection matters and children requiring assistance cases. It has 42 judges, including the Chief Justice, sitting in over 40 courthouses. 

For more information about the Juvenile Court, visit its homepage.

Governor Healey has previously nominated Audrey Murillo, Fabiola White and Jennifer Currie to the Juvenile Court, 

About the Nominees 

Tiffanie Cherie Ellis-Niles is a founding partner and managing attorney at Lyles and Niles, LLP, a distinguished general practice law firm serving Massachusetts’ South Shore. With over a decade of legal experience, Attorney Ellis-Niles focuses her practice on bankruptcy, family law, probate, landlord/tenant disputes, and civil litigation. She is particularly dedicated to representing children and families involved with the Department of Children and Families through her certification with the Committee for Public Counsel Services. Attorney Ellis-Niles's extensive legal career includes prior roles as an Administrative Attorney at the Law Offices of Richard S. Weiss, a Hearing Officer for the Boston Housing Authority, and an Associate at the Law Offices of John Mackey. Beyond her practice, she is deeply committed to advancing equity and inclusion within the legal community, having served as President of both the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association and the Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Boston and Suffolk University Law School, Attorney Ellis-Niles was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2005 and to the Massachusetts Bankruptcy Courts in 2010. Her leadership extends to board memberships with Lawyers for Civil Rights and New England Community Services, as well as active involvement with the Brockton Area NAACP, where she chairs the Legal Redress Committee and serves on the ACT-SO Committee. Attorney Ellis-Niles has been recognized for her professional excellence, including being named a "Massachusetts Rising Star" by Lawyers Weekly Super Lawyers. She also completed the Initiative for Diversity in Civic Leadership, underscoring her commitment to fostering diversity in civic and professional spaces. Attorney Ellis-Niles resides in Brockton, Massachusetts, with her husband and their three children.  

Karin Wilinski has practiced extensively in the Juvenile Court for over thirty years. Since 1995, she has run a solo practice, frequently representing both parents and children on child welfare cases, conducting investigations, and serving as a guardian ad litem. She also has extensive civil experience, including handling estate planning, probate matters, adoptions, real estate closings and condo conversions. Before founding her own firm, she worked as an Associate at Samek & Faneuil and as an attorney for the Committee for Public Counsel Services. She has a B.A. from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law. She lives in Needham. 

Herb Chambers捐款一億元給麻省總醫院見癌症整合護理單位

           (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓商人 Herb Chambers捐 1 億美元給麻州總醫院 (MGH)，要在該院正興建中的新大樓內，建一座塔樓，並在捐贈儀式中，將位於菲立普和蘇珊雷根 (Ragon) 大樓內，有麻州布里吉罕 (Mass General Brigham) 癌症整合護理特別單位的這東塔樓，命名為Herb Chambers塔樓，

麻州總醫院和布萊根婦女醫院 (Brigham and Women's Hospital)合併為Mass General Brigham 後，因為布萊根婦女醫院失去長期臨床合作夥伴達娜法柏 (Dana-Farber) 癌症研究所，特地增建這癌症整合護理特別單位。

Phillip 和 Susan Ragon 大樓是MGH內正在興建的綜合大樓，面積將超過150萬平方英尺，包括麻省總醫院癌症中心和Corrigan Minehan心臟中心，以及橫跨2座塔樓的482間單人病房。 Ragons夫婦在2019年時，捐了2億元給MGH，據MGH表示，當年那是該醫院收到的有史以來最大筆捐款。

 

的東塔將被命名為 Herb Chambers Tower，以表彰捐贈。該塔將容納癌症護理專用單元，該單元是作為其麻省總醫院布萊根癌症整合的一部分而建造的。布萊根婦女醫院 （Brigham and Women's Hospital） 和 MGH 正在更緊密地交織在一起，因為布萊根婦女醫院 （Brigham and Women） 失去了其長期的臨床合作夥伴 Dana-Farber 癌症研究所。

 Phillip 和 Susan Ragon 大樓是 MGH 校園內正在建造的大型綜合體。它將擁有超過 150 萬平方英尺的空間，設有麻省總癌症中心和 Corrigan Minehan 心臟中心，並將包括分佈在兩座塔樓中的 482 間單人床住院病房。Ragons 夫婦在 2019 年向 MGH 捐贈了 2 億美元，醫院當時表示這是它收到過的最大一筆禮物。

MGB表示，Herb Chambers塔樓將佔地100萬平方英尺，預定2027年完工，塔內設有專門照顧癌症患者的24/7緊急護理中心，8000平方英尺的屋頂花園，。

Herb Chambers是波士頓本地人，以經營轉銷汽車聞名，也擁有麻州內最大的，由退伍軍人所擁有的公司。

U.S. Economic Development Administration Reauthorized by Congress for First Time in 20 Years

U.S. Economic Development Administration Reauthorized by Congress for First Time in 20 Years

Bipartisan legislation will modernize the EDA and other regional commissions whose mission is to spur economic growth in communities across the country

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) celebrates its historic reauthorization by Congress, allowing it to continue its legacy of promoting American innovation and competitiveness by providing grants and support to communities across the country. Since 1965, EDA has led some of the nation’s most impactful programs to strengthen public works and infrastructure, job creation and workforce development, disaster recovery, and technology and industry advancement. EDA has not been formally reauthorized since 2004.

“Reauthorization will allow EDA to continue meeting its mission of ensuring communities across the country have the resources they need to expand economic opportunity, invest in innovation, and recover from disasters. This bipartisan support from Congress will allow EDA to evolve, modernize, and provide the services that communities across the nation need to build resilient, thriving local economies,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “EDA’s investments have helped countless communities invest in their local workers and businesses, and reauthorization means they will continue creating and saving jobs, and bringing new investment to every corner of our country.”  

From the period of January 2021 through November 2024, EDA was responsible for directing nearly $6 billion in investments in 3,393 awards across nearly every state and federal territory. These projects are creating or saving more than 554,700 jobs and generating more than $67.7 billion in private investment. These investments include hundreds of construction projects, creating thousands of good-paying jobs that modernize American infrastructure and support long-term, resilient economic growth. 

“The country has changed since EDA was last authorized, with new industries, new challenges, and the residual impacts of a global pandemic and the rising intensity of natural disasters. Over the last 20 years, EDA has evolved to ensure its programs make America’s communities more competitive, resilient, and secure. This reauthorization legislation will allow EDA to continue to meet the moment for generations to come,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth.

Key benefits of EDA’s reauthorization include:

• Strengthening Tools to Support EDA’s Role in Job Creation and Placement:
• Codifies EDA’s role in establishing industry-led workforce training partnerships that invest in innovative approaches to workforce development that will secure job opportunities for Americans.
• Aligns EDA to better support other key Department of Commerce priorities, including:
• Supply Chain and Manufacturing: including elements of The ONSHORE Act for prospective site development in industries with national security implications
• Broadband: Modernizes EDA’s ability to deliver broadband projects via inclusion of the E-BRIDGE Act

• Modernizing EDA’s Authorities for Critical Grants and Resource Delivery
• Establishes the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience: EDA is uniquely positioned to coordinate federal support for regional disaster recovery efforts in partnership with its extensive network of Economic Development Districts(EDDs), University Centers, and other stakeholders in designated impact areas. 
• Adds and modernizes eligibility criteria considerations, allowing for the consideration of additional key statistical factors to support grantmaking.

• Improving EDA Operational Efficiency and Transparency
• Codifies an EDA definition of pre-development enabling EDA to provide assistance to distressed communities to prepare for much larger infrastructure investments in the future.
• Permanently enacts EDA’s disaster hiring authority enabling it to quickly respond to meet the needs of future disasters.
• Formalizes the relationship between EDA and Regional Commissions, increasing efficacy of regional programs.

EDA’s reauthorization is a critical component of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress.

“EDA is driving our nation’s job growth, building resilient supply chains, and investing in our local economies. Reauthorizing the EDA will give this critical agency the tools and resources it needs to better support local businesses and organizations and equip our communities with climate-resilient infrastructure, in turn strengthening both local and regional job creation and our competitiveness abroad,” said EPW Chairman Senator Tom Carper in a previous statement.

“This reauthorization will help the EDA carry out its mission to drive investment, create jobs, and grow our local economies, particularly in rural states like mine of West Virginia. I appreciate Chairman Carper, Senator Cramer, and Senator Kelly for joining in this effort to reauthorize the EDA,” said EPW Ranking Member Senator Shelley Moore Capito

“I am proud to have helped negotiate this package to reauthorize the Economic Development Administration and recognize the importance of tourism and outdoor recreation for economic development...," said Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, Representative Dina Titus in a previous statement.

 “This measure also includes important provisions to reauthorize and modernize federal economic development programs…. I want to thank Ranking Member Rick Larsen, Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer, Subcommittee Ranking Member Grace Napolitano, as well as Chairman Carper and Ranking Member Capito in the Senate, for their hard work in developing and negotiating this final measure,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves in a previous statement.

“…I applaud today’s passage of the Water Resources Development of 2024… “This legislation also includes provisions to grow the economy and create jobs by reauthorizing the Economic Development Administration…T&I Democrats remain focused on delivering good-paying jobs and safer, cleaner, greener and more accessible transportation for all Americans,” said Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Representative Rick Larsen.

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 Boston Children’s Museum Receives Lilly Endowment Grant to Foster Character Development

BOSTON, MA – December 19, 2024 – Boston Children’s Museum has received a grant of $2,499,243 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to establish Empathy at the Heart, a five-year initiative designed to foster empathy in young children and empower the adults in their lives to support this vital character development.

Empathy at the Heart is being funded by Lilly Endowment’s Fostering Character Through Children’s Museums initiative, which is designed to help children’s museums develop new or expand existing efforts that explore and encourage the development of positive character traits among children and youth. Boston Children’s Museum is one of 15 children’s museums around the nation being funded through the initiative. 

“Children’s museums are places where children of all ages can learn informally, discovering new ideas through play, multi-sensory experiences and self-expression,” said Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for education and youth programs. “We are excited to see how the museums funded through this initiative will help children and their families to explore various character traits and reflect together on ways these traits can be practiced and strengthened.”

Boston Children’s Museum’s mission is to engage children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning. The Empathy at the Heart initiative furthers this mission by exploring the foundational skills that contribute to empathy development, such as kindness, perspective taking, and respecting oneself and others. Through this program, Boston Children’s Museum will develop empathy-centered programs, experiences, and resources to benefit children and families across a variety of settings (in the Museum, in the home, in schools, and in the community). 

“We are honored to be part of Lilly Endowment’s visionary and imaginative initiative to encourage positive character development in young children. At Boston Children’s Museum, we are already focused on offering playful learning experiences that invite visitors to engage with each other, share their differences and similarities and contribute to an atmosphere that fosters empathy, kindness, and respect,” said Carole Charnow, President & CEO. “This generous grant will allow us to expand and deepen our work on empathy development, which is critical not only to child development but to building healthy and compassionate communities. We are deeply grateful to Lilly Endowment for this valuable opportunity.”

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MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND SUPERINTENDENT SKIPPER ANNOUNCE THAT BPS’ RUTH BATSON ACADEMY HAS BEEN INVITED INTO STATE’S MAJOR SCHOOL RENOVATION FUNDING PROCESS Batson Academy renovation will advance City’s long-term facilities vision and allow deeper collaboration with neighboring UMass Boston to expand college and career pathways BOSTON - Thursday, December 19, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu and Superintendent Mary Skipper today announced that Boston Public Schools (BPS) has been invited into the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Eligibility Period, the first step in the MSBA construction process to support a major renovation of the Ruth Batson Academy in Dorchester. Under the leadership of Ruth Batson Academy School Leader Ondrea Johnston, the school offers rigorous coursework and early college pathways, in partnership with UMass Boston and the Columbia Point community. The renovation will enable this in-demand high school to serve a larger student body in grades 7-12, as called for in the City’s long term facilities plan, and allow for a deeper partnership with UMass Boston.  "I’m grateful to the MSBA for this important investment in our long-term facilities plan and in this incredible school community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The Ruth Batson Academy embodies Boston’s commitment to academic excellence, early college pathways, and opportunities for students beyond the classroom, and I’ve been so honored to get to know this school community and its fantastic leadership. They are the first university-assisted community hub school in the district, and their close collaboration with UMass Boston is redefining early college, internship, and higher education pathways. Last May, when Boston was the only American city invited to join the global climate summit hosted at the Vatican, where only seven students presented to climate scientists on behalf of all youth around the world, two of the young leaders were Ruth Batson Academy students. It’s beyond time for them to have the school facilities to fully empower their learning and growth.” “The Ruth Batson Academy is the district’s first university-assisted community hub school in partnership with UMass Boston, with a rich history of providing high-quality, inclusive education, integrated with exposure to early college and other advanced coursework, to a diverse group of learners,” said Superintendent Mary Skipper. “I am thrilled that the MSBA Board has voted to invite the district into the Eligibility Period for a second consecutive year - this time to update the Ruth Batson Academy’s facilities. We look forward to working with the MSBA and the Ruth Batson Academy to deliver on our commitments and create a learning environment supportive of our students' needs and aspirations.” "Being invited to collaborate with the MSBA brings our school one step closer to a state-of-the-art facility that all students and families deserve,” said Head of School Ondrea Johnston. “A newly modified space will allow us to offer educational experiences that meet the varying needs of each student at Ruth Batson Academy. Working with the City of Boston, BPS, and the MSBA, we are able to work towards the vision that Ruth Batson had for Boston Public Schools many years ago. We hope to honor her legacy as we envision an updated Ruth Batson Academy that better serves our students, families, and the surrounding community.” “UMass Boston is proud and honored to work in partnership with BPS and the Ruth Batson Academy to support its students and develop a model, Massachusetts's first-ever university-assisted community hub school, furthering our commitment to community-engaged education, to holistic student success, and to the values we cherish,” said UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco. “We know that the exceptional scholars at the Ruth Batson Academy deserve state-of-the-art facilities that match their talent and are pleased to learn of the MSBA’s support toward that end.” The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is a state agency that offers competitive grants to school districts to support capital improvement projects in public schools across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Funded by a one-cent surcharge on the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax, the MSBA process involves close collaboration with school communities to design and build fiscally responsible and educationally appropriate solutions to create safe, sound, and sustainable learning environments.  The invitation from MSBA into the Eligibility Period means that the Ruth Batson Academy can enter the next phase of project development. Over the next 270 days, the district will work with Ruth Batson leadership and the MSBA to lay the groundwork for a large, capital project, supported by both local and state funding, that will meet the community's need for facilities that support a high-quality student experience for the full grade 7-12 community. The next step after the Eligibility Period is an invitation to Feasibility Study. To learn more about the MSBA Eligibility Period, click here.  This marks the second time in two years BPS has been invited to take this step. After being invited into the MSBA pipeline in 2023, BPS and the City have been working to complete the Eligibility Period requirements on the Shaw-Taylor School, and look forward to an invitation of the MSBA Board into Feasibility Study in 2026. In October, the Boston City Council approved an appropriation of $2.225 million to support the feasibility study and schematic design for the Shaw-Taylor School. The MSBA has supported several other transformative BPS projects over the last few years – including the new Josiah Quincy Upper School, which opened this fall, and the new Carter School, on track to open next fall. The Ruth Batson Academy underscores the District’s commitment to partnership and college and career pathways. In January 2024, BPS and UMass Boston signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to create access to college coursework and resources, partner educators from both institutions, and create a seamless pathway into UMass Boston for Ruth Batson Academy graduates, establishing the District’s first university-assisted community hub school.  The BPS and UMass Boston partnership has already provided opportunities for students. In May, UMass Boston sent two students to participate in a climate summit hosted by Pope Francis at the Vatican. Mayor Wu also participated in the summit, which convened leaders from around the world to talk about climate solutions. While in Rome, the students visited sites, met the Pope to present letters from middle schoolers, toured a preschool with Mayor Wu, and spoke on a youth panel about climate change. They were two of seven young people from around the world to participate in Session XII - Voices of the Youth.

In June, Mayor Wu, Boston Public Schools (BPS), and UMass Boston (UMB) announced a new scholarship program to a graduate of the Ruth Batson Academy. The new scholarship – the Robert and Ruth Starratt Endowed Scholarship – is UMass Boston’s largest endowed scholarship fund. It underscores the deep partnership among the City of Boston, Boston Public Schools, and UMass Boston to build collaboration to foster college-level opportunities for high school students. The scholarship will benefit students each year and will be renewable for up to four years. Starratt Scholars will be asked to return to the Ruth Batson Academy to share their experiences to promote education as a career choice to other students.  Additionally, the late writer and poet Nikki Giovanni visited Ruth Batson Academy students while she visited UMass Boston for a talk. At the school, she spoke with students and teachers and some students had the opportunity to read their poetry.

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CITY OF BOSTON CELEBRATES GROUNDBREAKING AT RYAN PLAYGROUND IN CHARLESTOWN

BOSTON - Thursday, December 19, 2024 - The Boston Parks and Recreation Department on Tuesday joined Charlestown Little League, Chief Climate Officer Brian Swett, City Councilor Gabriella Coletta Zapata, State Representative Dan Ryan, and Charlestown community members for a groundbreaking ceremony at Ryan Playground. The $25 million climate resilient project will bring renovations to this Charlestown park including a flood prevention berm with an exciting new play area and waterfront promenade, upgrades to athletic fields, and many other improvements. “We’re excited for these renovations for Ryan Playground that will keep this park as a treasured green space for Charlestown’s families for generations to come, and protect our community from the impacts of climate change,” said Mayor Michelle Wu.  Renovations include new natural grass little league fields and multi-use fields designed to support baseball, softball, soccer, and other sports. A refurbished street hockey rink named in honor of Bryan McGonagle will provide a dedicated space for year-round play, while a new colorful children’s play area will include equipment for 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds, featuring a splash pad and sensory play. Plans also include space for community gathering and active recreation, including a fishing spot and terraced seating. Equipment storage, batting cages, a press box, athletic lighting, and shaded dugouts will make Ryan Playground a premier destination for sports.  The waterfront promenade and play area will be built atop a 6-foot flood barrier berm that will prevent flooding caused by rising sea levels and storm surges. The berm will be filled with lightweight fill, a recycled glass material, and hundreds of narrow stone columns that will stabilize the structure. Areas of the park will also be elevated by two feet to further safeguard against extreme weather. Ryan Playground improvements are a realization of Climate Ready Boston’s coastal resilience plans for all 47 miles of Boston’s coastlines including projects like McConnell Park in Dorchester, Martin’s Park on the Fort Point Channel, and Langone Park in the North End.  122 new trees will be planted complementing the 28 mature trees preserved from the existing site. In addition to shaded seating, water fountains, and splash pad, these plantings will provide cooling during hot summer days and help mitigate the urban heat island effect.  “This groundbreaking marks another milestone in Boston’s journey toward a more climate-resilient future,” said Brian Swett, Chief Climate Officer. “By integrating flood protection and sustainable design into spaces that promote recreation and community connection, we’re safeguarding Charlestown while enhancing the quality of life for its residents. Projects like this embody the City’s commitment to building climate-ready neighborhoods that are vibrant, inclusive, and prepared for the challenges of the future.” Improvements to Ryan Playground were designed by Weston and Sampson Engineering, Inc and phase one construction, including initial excavation and subgrade work, will be completed by Unified Construction. With a $6.6 million budget from the City of Boston’s Capital Budget, this marks the first step in a transformative redevelopment. The full scope of the project represents a $25 million investment, funded by $18 million from the City of Boston’s Capital Budget, $1 million from Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds, and $6 million from the Charlestown Community Impact Fund.  "We’re thrilled to break ground on this transformative project at Ryan Playground,” said Interim Boston Parks Commissioner Liza Meyer. “With designs that bring together climate resilience, active recreation, and community gathering spaces, we are proud to be building a park that will serve Charlestown families and visitors of all ages for generations to come.” The design process for Ryan Playground was shaped by community feedback with support from Charlestown Youth Sports Association, Charlestown Little League, and Charlestown Mothers Association as well as the Mystic River Watershed Association. Residents expressed strong support for both passive and active recreation areas and spaces that accommodate multi-generational activities. There was also a clear desire for more gathering spaces beyond athletic facilities and an emphasis on preserving waterfront views of the Mystic River.  “I’m excited to be celebrating the groundbreaking of Ryan Playground in Charlestown,” said Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata (District 1). “Ryan Playground is an example of the necessary climate-resilient projects to enhance our climate resiliency and protect our residents and vital infrastructure from the threats posed by climate change. It will serve as an outdoor space for recreation and connection, ensuring a greener and more resilient future for all Boston residents.” “I want to thank Mayor Wu for her continued investment in Charlestown,” said State Representative Dan Ryan. “The Parks department is an integral partner in creating, preserving, and enhancing open spaces and playing fields in our urban neighborhoods. This project will allow generations to continue to hear the crack of a Little League bat…memories that last a lifetime.” “The Ryan Fields and Playground have been a vital part of the Charlestown community for decades,” said Josh Bresler, President of Charlestown Little League. “The entire Charlestown baseball community couldn’t be more excited about these improvements and what they will mean for the more than 300 families that rely on them. We are grateful to Parks and the City of Boston for the continued investment in our programs and all the valuable lessons in teamwork, sportsmanship and courage these improvements will facilitate for our young players.”  Initial construction will start with excavation and subgrade work this winter, and the park construction will start in spring 2025, lasting approximately 18 months.  To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks, sign up for our email list at bit.ly/Get-Parks-Emails and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The project page will have construction updates each month, at boston.gov/Ryan-Charlestown.