Governor Healey Nominates Jamie Bennett and Benjamin Mann to Juvenile Court

 Governor Healey Nominates Jamie Bennett and Benjamin Mann to Juvenile Court 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today nominated Jamie Bennett and Benjamin Mann to serve as Associate Justices of the Juvenile Court. The nominees will now be considered by the Governor’s Council for confirmation.  

“The Juvenile Court plays an essential role in protecting the rights and wellbeing of our young people, their families and our communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Both Jamie and Benjamin bring decades of experience practicing juvenile law, and that expertise will be invaluable to the Juvenile Court.”   

“I am excited to support these terrific nominees as they move forward to the Governor’s Council. They have decades of experience working to help protect young people in Massachusetts, and they will be great additions to the Court,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.   

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 Jennifer Currie, Andrew Don, Tiffanie Ellis-Niles, Nibal Raheb, Andrew Hoffman, Audrey Murillo, Jeannie Rhinehart, Fabiola White and Karin Wilinski to the Juvenile Court.  

About the Nominees  
Jamie Bennett is currently the Attorney in Charge of the Youth Advocacy Division in the Worcester Office of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), where she has represented youth facing delinquency and youthful offender charges for nearly twenty years. She has extensive experience handling arraignment and bail arguments, negotiating plea agreements, drafting and arguing discovery motions, conducting evidentiary hearings and jury trials, and representing young people at sentencing hearings. In 2014, Attorney Bennett was elevated to her current position where she manages a staff of three attorneys and a Social Service Advocate representing court-involved youths. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College and a Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law.  

Benjamin P. Mann is currently an Assistant Clerk Magistrate at the Springfield Juvenile Court, where he conducts magistrate hearings and works with court users to ensure effective access to justice in the Juvenile Court. He previously served as counsel to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, where he coordinated legal interventions and worked with social workers to address the needs of families and children involved in care and protection proceedings throughout the Commonwealth. Attorney Mann also served as the Managing Attorney and a civil litigator at Zwicker & Associates and an Assistant District Attorney for the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was an instrumental music teacher at Holyoke Magnet Middle School for the Arts in 2001. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hamilton College and a Juris Doctor from Western New England University School of Law. 

USPTO Director John A. Squires issues first patents of tenure

USPTO Director John A. Squires issues first patents of tenure 

Alexandria, VA—On his first full day in office, newly sworn-in Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), John A. Squires, issued the first patents of his tenure, making good on his promise of a “strong, robust, expansive, and resilient intellectual property system.”

Director Squires signed into issuance two patents—one in the field of distributed ledger/crypto technologies and another in medical diagnostics—in areas that often face questions about patent eligibility.

At the signing ceremony, Director Squires also presented a copy of Samuel Morse’s historic telegraph patent, highlighting Claim 5, which was upheld by the Supreme Court as patent-eligible. “[Morse’s telegraph] reminds us that applied technologies are foundational and form the backbone of America’s growth,” said Director Squires.

“The onrush of technology knows no bounds,” Director Squires remarked. “From crypto and AI, to quantum computing and diagnostics, the marketplace presents breathtaking opportunities for invention and investment. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? What I do know is that these are applied and patent-eligible technologies driving the frontiers of knowledge.”

Reaffirming President Trump’s citation of Calvin Coolidge’s maxim, “the business of America is business,” Director Squires concluded: “I want inventors and entrepreneurs everywhere to know that the USPTO is open for business—especially for the technologies of tomorrow.”

Stay current with the USPTO by subscribing to receive email updates through the Subscription Center.

波士頓公共衛生局將在全市各地舉辦疫苗門診

 BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION TO HOST FREE VACCINE CLINICS THROUGHOUT BOSTON TO ENSURE ACCESS TO VACCINATIONS 

BPHC clinics offer flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Some clinics will also have routine childhood vaccinations. 

BOSTON – Wednesday, September 24, 2025 – Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is partnering with Boston Public Schools (BPS), Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF), and community organizations to host free vaccine clinics throughout the city to ensure all residents have access to vaccinations. The State’s guidance earlier this month protects vaccine access in Massachusetts, including flu, COVID-19, RSV, and childhood vaccinations, regardless of decisions by the federal administration. For the COVID-19 vaccine, the State announced anyone 6 months and older is eligible. It is strongly recommended for children between 6 and 23 months, adults 65 and older, healthcare workers, those with medical conditions associated with higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease, and those who are immunocompromised, pregnant, or lactating. 

“Vaccination remains the safest and most effective strategy to reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu. By hosting free vaccine clinics throughout Boston, we are ensuring that vaccines are accessible to all residents,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Boston. “While recent federal policy changes risk limiting vaccine access, BPHC remains committed to following evidence-based science to guide our work and care for Boston residents and local communities. This commitment allows us to protect our families and keep loved ones safe, particularly during respiratory virus season.” 

BPHC's vaccine clinics begin in September, before the peak of respiratory virus season. All clinics will offer free flu and COVID-19 vaccines, and some will also offer routine childhood vaccinations for children five and older. No appointment is needed. Insurance and identification are not required, but those with a health insurance card should bring it with them. Residents should check boston.gov/vaccine-clinics for a list of dates and locations. The website also details which vaccines will be available and for what ages. Clinics are currently scheduled from September through mid-December and more may be added. 

The clinics that offer routine childhood vaccines will have DTaP, Tdap, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal, varicella, polio, and MMR that protects against measles, mumps and rubella viral illnesses. For these vaccines, residents should bring their child’s vaccination records if they have them. Childhood vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent illnesses and help children stay healthy. 

BPHC’s vaccine clinics are one of many ways people can get vaccinated. People are also encouraged to contact their health care provider, local health center, or pharmacy to schedule appointments, receive vaccinations, or ask questions. Residents who need help applying for health insurance can contact the Mayor’s Health Line at (617) 534-5050. The Mayor’s Health Line is a free, confidential, and multilingual service that can help families, regardless of immigration status, find routine care.  

If residents have symptoms of respiratory viral illness, BPHC recommends: 

• Stay home, if possible. 
• Wear a mask: 
• For five days after being sick. 
• If you must leave the house while sick. 
• If you are at high risk of severe illness. 
• Have COVID-19 rapid test kits available at home to test if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Pharmacies are currently the best place to purchase COVID-19 rapid test kits.  
• Seek treatment from a trusted healthcare provider if you test positive for flu or COVID-19 and are at high risk for severe disease and/or illness. 

Residents should also routinely: 

• Regularly disinfect and clean high-touch surfaces.  
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Cover your cough. 
• Increase indoor ventilation and air circulation; even cracking open a window helps increase airflow. 

BPHC continues to encourage all residents to stay up to date on their vaccinations. Vaccines are safe, effective, and provide strong protection against serious illness. Learn more about vaccines and how to stay healthy at boston.gov/vaccine-clinics.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Releases Vision of a Massachusetts High School Graduate

Healey-Driscoll Administration Releases Vision of a Massachusetts High School Graduate  

New statewide vision outlines six key skills and competencies  

to prepare high school students for college, career and civic life 

 ATTLEBORO— The Healey-Driscoll Administration today released its Vision of a Massachusetts Graduate, an aspirational outline for how a Massachusetts high school diploma can prepare students—regardless of zip code, identity, or background—for success after graduation. 

The vision revealed this morning at Attleboro High School is the first step in creating a new statewide graduation standard to ensure all students leave high school with the skills necessary to succeed in college, careers, and civic life. Spearheaded by Governor Maura Healey’s Statewide K-12 Graduation Council and informed by thousands of survey responses, eight statewide listening sessions, and stakeholder engagement, the Vision of a Massachusetts Graduate identifies six key skills and competencies, centered around three core qualities: Thinkers, Contributors and Leaders, that will guide the preparation of high school students for the real world.  

“Massachusetts has always led the way in education, and this Vision of a Graduate builds on that legacy,” said Governor Healey. “We all need to work together to make sure our young people are prepared not only with strong academic skills but also with the problem-solving, collaboration and leadership abilities they’ll need to succeed in every aspect of life.” 

“This vision reflects what our educators, students, families and community leaders have told us they want for our young people,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This is about developing self-aware, confident graduates who can work with others, make thoughtful decisions, and contribute meaningfully to their schools, workplaces and communities.” 

Massachusetts graduates will be:  

Thinkers  

• Academically Prepared: Graduates have a strong foundation across academic disciplines, equipping them with both the knowledge to thrive in college, career, and civic life and the skills to be lifelong learners.  

• Critical Problem-Solvers: Graduates critically examine information to draw connections, question assumptions, infer meaning, and shape solutions.  

Contributors  

• Self-Aware Navigators: Graduates understand themselves, their strengths, and their opportunities and can effectively leverage their unique skills to navigate a variety of paths and environments.  

• Intentional Collaborators: Graduates engage respectfully and productively with diverse individuals and groups, recognizing the value of their unique perspectives, identities and experiences as well as those of others.  

Leaders  

• Effective Communicators: Graduates confidently and clearly express their ideas to diverse audiences across a variety of mediums.  

• Responsible Decision-Makers: Graduates can set and pursue personal goals, make healthy and financially sustainable choices, and demonstrate confidence and competence in shaping their lives. 

“The Vision of a Graduate gives us a thoughtful, unifying blueprint for what it means to graduate high school in Massachusetts,” said Education Secretary and Statewide K-12 Graduation Council Co-Chair Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “It emphasizes that every student has the capacity to be a thinker, contributor, and leader and that our job as educators and communities is to nurture those qualities every step of the way.” 

“Through the important work of this council and the contributions of school districts and other stakeholders, we have defined key competencies high school graduates need,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner and Statewide K-12 Graduation Council Co-Chair Pedro Martinez. “There is a shared understanding that students should graduate with the skills needed to make decisions responsibly, contribute meaningfully to civic life and be prepared for postsecondary education.”   

“A student’s K-12 experience has a tremendous impact on the path they choose after high school, along with how they are set up to succeed in their post-secondary education and careers,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “I’m grateful that the Statewide Graduation Council is moving forward with a vision that focuses on the whole student and how they engage with information, their communities, and challenges that present themselves.” 

Governor Healey created the Statewide K-12 Graduation Council in January through Executive Order. The Council has met multiple times throughout the spring and summer to study and review current graduation standards across the country, assess existing graduation requirements in local school districts, and gather feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders, including students, families, educators, administrators, higher education experts and business leaders. The Council conducted eight in-person and virtual listening sessions across Massachusetts, including one dedicated entirely to students. More than 400 educators, advocates, parents, students, business leaders, labor organizers and stakeholders participated in these listening sessions. The Grad Council also conducted a statewide survey that garnered feedback from 6,615 respondents. Additionally, 103 Massachusetts educators participated in a separate district leader survey.  

The Graduation Council will unveil its initial findings for a statewide graduation standard later this fall, with a final report and proposed roadmap coming next year. The recommendations will include rigorous learning experiences and a mechanism to give the state confidence that all students are meeting these high expectations. The council will continue to meet to finalize those recommendations and to continue building consensus with many stakeholders.  

The Graduation Council chose to unveil its Vision of a Graduate at Attleboro High School because the school’s efforts around career-connected courses, Early College, and its own “Portrait of a Graduate” framework aligns closely with the council’s goals and objectives.   

“The City of Attleboro is committed to providing an exceptional education to every student in the community, and we are immensely proud of all of our students and educators,” said Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone. “As a Gateway City, our big, beautiful comprehensive high school stands as direct proof of that pride and commitment, and our belief that a quality education is the key to success in college, careers, and civic life. We are grateful to Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll for leading the effort to create the Vision of a High School Graduate and for ensuring that high school students in Attleboro and the Commonwealth leave high school with the skills they need to succeed in life.” 

“Here in Attleboro, we are using our Portrait of a Graduate not only to better answer the fundamental questions about why we do what we do, but more importantly, to create a bright throughline for all our educational experiences from preschool through graduation,” said Attleboro Public Schools Superintendent David Sawyer. “Attleboro High School is already a leader in comprehensive education, and we embrace the effort to support the postsecondary success of all students.” 

“Ensuring that every student who graduates from a Massachusetts school meets clear, consistent, and rigorous standards is not only critical to student success beyond the classroom-- it's also about fairness and opportunity,” House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “The House is grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and to the Graduation Council for their ongoing work towards establishing a statewide standard that reinforces the high expectations that all students across the Commonwealth deserve.” 

Learn more about the Graduation Council and work at Mass.gov/K12GradCouncil. 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $464,000 in STEM Education Grants

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $464,000 in STEM Education Grants  

Grants support applied STEM learning experiences during MA STEM Week, October 20-24 

 
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that they have awarded over $464,000 in STEM Design Challenge grants to seven non-profit and public education organizations, supporting STEM learning opportunities statewide for students from elementary school through high school. These STEM Design Challenges come just ahead of Massachusetts STEM Week, October 20–24, 2025, underscoring the administration’s focus on expanding hands-on STEM opportunities. 

 

“Massachusetts leads the nation in education and innovation because we know success starts in our classrooms and with our young people. STEM Week is about inspiring curiosity, creativity and confidence in young people across the state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By investing in hands-on STEM experiences, we’re preparing students of all ages to solve problems, pursue new ideas and lead the future economy.” 

 

“STEM Week is about making sure every student can see themselves as part of Massachusetts’ innovation story,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We are grateful to the organizations creating these STEM Design Challenges for helping to spark that excitement for our students, giving them the chance to explore, create and envision a future in STEM.” 

 

STEM Design Challenge Grants aim to expand access to applied STEM curricula and increase participation among historically underrepresented populations in STEM fields, including students of color, girls, low-income and first-generation students, English learners, and students with disabilities. It also seeks to provide teachers with professional development and implementation resources, promote meaningful employer engagement in curriculum design and activities, and build a community of practice to share best practices and strengthen partnerships with employers that offer paid STEM internships to high school students. 

 

“STEM Week is a powerful example of learning coming to life when students design, build, and solve real-world challenges,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Through the Design Challenge grants, we’re creating opportunities that spark curiosity and confidence in STEM, especially for students who have been historically underrepresented in these fields. I’m grateful to the schools and community organizations partnering with us to show young people across Massachusetts that ‘STEM Starts Now.’” 

 

Massachusetts STEM Week continues to lift up the theme establish last year “STEM Starts Now.” This theme highlights the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers, reinforcing the message that STEM learning can start at any age and plays a crucial role in shaping the future workforce of the state. 

The STEM Design Challenge Grants are offered by the STEM Advisory Council, which was established to expand access to high-quality STEM education for students across Massachusetts, and is currently co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, U.S Congressman Jake Auchincloss and Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Dr. Jeffery Leiden. 

 

The STEM design challenge awardees:  

 

The Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development – Offered in partnership with True Robotics and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, this Design Challenge “Automation in Modern Manufacturing” will engage high school students in exploring how robotics and design thinking are transforming 21st-century production environments. Students will simulate real-world manufacturing settings by designing a robot that performs key functions essential to modern production and assembly lines. 

 

Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts – This Design Challenge “You Can Build It!” will engage students in grades 2 through 8 with both a virtual offering and in-school events. This project will integrate GSEMA’s STEM-ON-THE-GO mobile learning van, supported by the Cummings Foundation, that will visit schools across three distinct regions in eastern Massachusetts. The challenge will utilize the “Girl Scouts Who Build” curriculum: an innovative, multi-level, career-focused curriculum that was designed over a 10-year partnership with Suffolk Construction to address gender disparities in the construction field. 

 

Museum of Science – This Design Challenge “Being Human: Engineering Bandages” will engage elementary school students in using the Engineering Design Process to design a bandage that covers and protects a model cut. Students will investigate sticky and absorbent materials and explore how the different parts of a bandage work together to create a successful design. The students will also participate in careers activities that highlight professionals who work in life science fields. Educators will receive engineering curriculum curated for students in grades K-5 and free professional development to support the design challenge.   

 

WADE Institute (Manomet, Inc.) – Offered in partnership with the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, this Design Challenge “H2Whoa! Hydroengineers at Work” will engage middle school students in a unique opportunity to integrate science and engineering concepts in a series of inquiry-based investigations that lead to a student-driven challenge. Faced with the real-life problems of water pollution and drought, students will explore how nature can inspire human innovation as they build prototypes to address these challenges. Students will be given a challenge to design and build a system that can capture rainwater, or snowmelt, and filter it to make it cleaner. 

 

Work Based Learning Alliance, Inc – This Design Challenge “Designing a Sustainable Future” will engage high school students in tackling a real-world sustainability challenge while exploring high-demand STEM career pathways across industries such as engineering, IT, clean energy and health sciences. “Designing a Sustainable Future” will see students designing a sustainable urban aquaculture farm - integrating solar energy, a recirculating water filtration system, and community-driven food solutions. Working in interdisciplinary teams of 5-7, students will bring their varied interests, knowledge and pathways of study to produce deliverables such as CAD models, system budgets, energy analyses, health impact analyses and outreach plans for local food pantries. 

 

YMCAs of MA – This Design Challenge “GreenFit: Design a Sustainable YMCA” engages middle and high school students in a week-long program to redesign their local YMCA as a sustainable, energy-efficient community hub. Youth will explore applied STEM concepts through hands-on activities, collaborative design thinking, and environmental problem-solving. They will work with GRO, a multidisciplinary design and development firm specializing in sustainable, community-centered solutions that integrate environmental stewardship, inclusive design, and long-term impact for diverse communities. GRO will provide virtual training to both youth and YMCA staff who are supporting the youth in what goes into designing a sustainable YMCA. 

麻省理工學院台灣學生會迎新 會長張浩揚、林晏平介紹幹部

麻省理工學院台灣學生會會長左起，林晏平，張浩揚和顧問陳韋同。（周菊子攝）

                  (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州劍橋市報導) 麻省理工學院台灣學生會（MIT ROCSA）9月20日晚在學生活動中心迎新，80餘名同學齊聚一堂，享用從華埠訂購來的中餐，佐以紫菜條等台灣味零食，起司小蛋糕，玩遊戲，抽獎，歡笑聲此起彼落。

七、八十名出席同學和嘉賓合影。（周菊子攝）

            迎新大會由活動組負責人陳丘舫主持，以簡報片向出席同學們報告，MIT今年的學會會幹部有2名會長，3名副會長，依序為核子工程博士生張浩揚，企管碩士生林晏平，媒體實驗室博士生楊浩東，材料科學及工程博士生蘇琮凱，電機工程博士生劉正心，還有財務何達睿，網管莊芷芃，美萱陳孟葳，活動陳丘舫，宋致遠，顧問陳韋同。

麻省理工學院台灣學生會3名副會長，右起楊浩東，劉正心，蘇琮凱（周菊子攝）

波士頓經文處教育組組長黃薳玉和學生交流。（周菊子攝）

波士頓經文處教育組組長黃薳玉在致詞時表示，教育組在波士頓已有40年歷史，成立宗旨就是為留學生服務，希望同學們到經文處辦理學歷驗證、護照、役男證明、更換駕照時，都可以到領務櫃檯旁的教育組辦公室坐坐。她強調，教育組就是留學生們在波士頓的家，請同學們在留學期間務必保持各人的身心平衡，遭遇問題，記得先找朋友或者教育組述說，他們都樂於傾聽，和同學們一起面對問題。她也提醒同學們記得10月4日到波士頓華埠，參加雙十國慶遊行。

麻省理工學院台灣學生們迎新聚餐。（周菊子攝）

            林晏平笑說，去年她坐在台下，今年來到台上，希望同學們像她一樣，參加同學會，只要多認識一個朋友，陪伴彼此走過留學生涯，互相幫助，都是好事。

麻省理工學院台灣學生會共會長林晏平。（周菊子攝）

            張浩揚先恭喜新生們從台灣的MIT（Made in Taiwan），成為了美國的MIT，接著介紹自己在研究核融合，已經是4年級。他覺得同學們在美留學，有點像似量子疊加狀態，一方面想趕快畢業，一方面考慮該回國服務，還是先在美找工作爭取經驗。不過不論未來是如何不確定，這晚卻很確定的是同學們共聚一堂，希望同學會舉辦的一起吃龍蝦等活動，能為同學們驅逐在異鄉求學時可能感受到的孤獨與壓力。

麻省理工學院台灣學生會共會長張浩揚拍照做紀錄。（周菊子攝）

            麻省理工學院今年有大約25名來自台灣新生。迎新會請當天出席迎新會的新生們說說自己來美留學最期待，最緊張的事情。陳丘舫笑說，這也是給同學們一個動力，找到志同道合的朋友，一起實現自己最期待的事情。上台新生們在自我介紹時，透露出其中有至少3人就讀企管系，有交換生，分別來自彰化，台北，台中，桃園，有人算是小留學生，在加州唸完了大學，才來到MIT。期待的，包括想要看雪，等放長假，遊歷美國各地，走遍波士頓。

麻省理工學院台灣學生會共會長張浩揚開場致詞。（周菊子攝）

參加迎新活動的同學，先報到。（周菊子攝）

會場。（周菊子攝）

預告未來活動。（周菊子攝）

MIT迎新，好多零食。（周菊子攝）