胡桃山音樂營 7/20 開營

中華表演藝術基金會  Foundation For Chinese Performing Arts               3 Partridge Lane, Lincoln, MA 01773 ChinesePerformingArts.net Foundation@ChinesePerformingArts.net  Upcoming Events 2016-2017 , the 28th Season July 20 - August 13, 2017 The 26th Annual Music Festival at Walnut Hill 胡桃山音樂營   2017-2018 , the 29th Season 1, Saturday September 23, 2017, 8 PM at NEC's Jordan Hall Reflections on Diaspora花果靈根集 Bao Jian包键, Hu Jianbing胡建兵,  Chen Tao陳濤,  Liu Li 劉麗, Zhou Yi 周懿 , Weng Hui 翁慧, and  Cai Zhenqi 蔡振起   2, The 9th Annual Youth Poetry in Silk and Bamboo 絲竹春吟青少年中國器樂賽及音樂會 Audition: Saturday, September 30, 2017, 2 PM at First Church Boston Concert: Saturday, October 7, 2017, 7:30 PM at First Church Boston   3, Saturday, November 4, 2017, 8 PM at NEC's Jordan Hall co-presenting with the  Korean Cultural Society of Boston The Parker Quartet  and Jung-Ja Kim, piano   4, Saturday, January 27, 2018, 8 PM at NEC's Jordan Hall Pi-Hsien Chen 陳必先 , piano   5, Saturday, March 31, 2018, 8 PM at NEC's Jordan Hall Angelo Xiang Yu 于翔 , violin and Andrew Hsu, piano 6, April 15, 2018 (application deadline) The 27th Annual Chinese Brush Painting and Calligraphy Competition Jury date: Saturday April 21, 2018   全美青少年國畫書法比賽    7, Saturday, May 12, 2018, 8 PM at NEC's Jordan Hall Dang Thai-Son 鄧泰山, piano   8, July - August , 2018 The 27th Annual Music Festival at Walnut Hill  胡桃山音樂營   UPCOMING EVENTS ----------------- 胡桃山音樂營 The 26th Annual Walnut Hill Music Festival 2017 date: 7/20/2017 check in,  8/13/2017 check out.  Concerto 2017:  Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Th  eme of Paganini http://chineseperformingarts.com/contents/festival/index.htm   Saturday, 9/23/2017, 8 pm  at Jordan Hall  Reflections on Diaspora花果靈根集 The 9th Annual Youth Poetry in Silk and Bamboo  at First Church Boston  絲竹春吟青少年中國器樂賽及音樂會 Audition: Saturday, September 30, 2017, 2 PM                                                                                                                                         Concert: Saturday, October 7, 2017, 7:30 PM   Saturday, 11/4/2017, 8 pm, Jordan Hall,  Co-presenting with  the Korean Cultural S ociety of Boston  The Parker Quartet and Jung-Ja Kim, piano        Saturday, 1/27/2018, 8 pm, Jordan Hall,  Pi-Hsien Chen  陳必先, pianist    Saturday, 3/31/2018, 8 pm, Jordan Hall,                                                    Angelo Xiang Yu 于翔, violinist and  Andrew Hsu, pianist   Saturday, 5/12/2018, 8 pm, Jordan Hall,  Dang Thai-Son 鄧泰山, pianist   We Need Your Support Support us make a Donation www. ChinesePerformingArts.net     Your tax-deductible donation enables us  to continue presenting the best artists,  maintaining low admission and free student tickets.   Please support us especially at this time 現今社會動盪，人們生活中充滿不安。文化藝術安定人心的重要性，在此時更為明顯。但經費來源卻更艱難。 您的免稅捐款，可使我們繼續舉行高水準音樂會， 提供最低票價，及免費學生票。 並鼓勵青年才俊在古典音樂、傳統中國書畫、 及民族國樂樂器各方面學習傳承。 希望您慷慨解囊，大力支持。 Your Donation is  appreciated: http://chineseperformingarts. net/donation/   Order Ticket Online: www.ChinesePerformingArts.net Email: Foundation@ChinesePerformingArts.net Foundation For Chinese Performing Arts Cathy Chan 譚嘉陵, Founder and President

Ben Chin for Mayor talking about opioid

Hey Folks-
 
            In case you missed it on facebook, one of our top volunteers, Kiernan, started talking to a woman this week about economic development and housing.  When he got to the opioid epidemic, she stopped him and sadly said, “That’s why I’m raising my granddaughter.”  That same night, I talked to a woman who lost her sister to an overdose.  Earlier in the week, I talked to a woman whose husband is in jail, separated from family, not getting the treatment or support he needs, because of a heroin addiction.  On average, someone overdoses every other week in Lewiston.  These deaths may not be on the front page of the paper, but they should.  It's our job to make that happen.
 
            If you or someone you love has been touched by addiction and has a connection to Lewiston, please write back and let me know. We are getting ready to roll out or policies around these important issues, and want to gather together as many personal stories as we can to make sure people understand how important it is to come together as a community on this issue.
 
            Also, if you have anything that you’ve been reading, or are connected to a smart person who knows best practices on this issue, please write back and send them my way.  I’ve been doing my best to research what cities across the country are up to.  Sadly, Lewiston has done very little.  I’d love to be connected resources or people that you think are insightful.  Of course, these policy options must move us away from the, failed, cruel “war on crime” and “war on drugs” approach that have disproportionately incarcerated black and brown people.  
 
And before well-meaning people write back to tell me that it’s too risky to appear to be “soft on crime,” let me assure you: come out with me and knock on doors.  It’s not the nineties anymore.  I’ve talked to hundreds of people about this issue, and the vast majority support a public health approach, not criminalization. It’s time to say what we believe.  (And donations help us get the message out there!)
 
            Unfortunately, when I do get pushback, it isn’t about jail.  People typically say those struggling with addiction should just die.  It’s awful.  On Monday night, for example, a woman told me she thought people struggling with addiction were “weak” and deserved to die, so they could be “weeded out.”  It boiled my blood.  I am so tired of the politics that divides the world into the worthy and the unworthy, the people who deserve life, and the people who don’t.  Believing in equality means recognizing that every human being has hopes and flaws, possesses beauty, and makes mistakes.  We all deserve life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  At the core, our campaign is about making that point on as many issues in as many ways as possible.
 
            So write back and tell me if you are willing to share your experience, or if you’ve read anything recently that I should be thinking about.  And please donate!  We’re cranking through materials talking to voters and can use all the grassroots contributions we can get!
 
            Finally, as Kiernan said in his post, “It's easy to get wrapped up in the competition of politics, of who's up and who's down and who said what. We would do well to remember what's truly at stake when our government makes decisions, and fight with blazing determination to make a better world for everyone.”  Amen.
 
 
-Ben 

響應新南向 台商包機越南員工遊寶島

新南向政策持續發酵，台資金屬大廠越南精密集圑勝邦金屬有限公司，在僑務委員會積極協助下，總經理吳明穎將親自帶隊，包機招待表現優異的越南員工分兩梯次來台觀光，第一梯6月21日至6月25日，第二梯次6月25日至6月29日，六百多人將在北部停留，並至南投埔里及日月潭旅遊， 享受南投特有的湖光山色及埔里美食!

僑務委員會配合新南向政策推動，除了做為東南亞台商和國內產官學界人力、資金及技術的交流平台，同時關注到台商在協助台灣觀光方面的潛力，因此今年大力促成台商員工返台旅遊。吳明頴率先響應，他受訪時表示，希望藉此拋磚引玉，吸引更多東南亞台資企業招待當地員工到寶島一遊，實地欣賞台灣湖光山色，體驗淳厚的風土民情。

    越南精密集圑勝邦金屬有限公司位於同奈省松梅工業區，鄰近胡志明市，人口約284萬人，是越南台商的重鎮區。此次吳明穎斥資新台幣4000萬, 以實際行動表達對台灣這塊土地的熱愛，食宿全額招待越南表現優良的員工, 除了體恤員工們的辛苦, 也希望他們體會台灣之美。

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2017-2018 SPARK BOSTON COUNCIL

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2017-2018 SPARK BOSTON COUNCIL

Council members to serve as leaders who will empower and support Boston's young adults

BOSTON - Friday, June 16, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced applications for the 2017-2018 SPARK Boston Council are now available. The SPARK Boston Council is a group of volunteers charged with leading the City's efforts to engage Boston's young adult population.   "We're proud to have the highest percent of young adults out of any major city in the country," said Mayor Walsh. "The SPARK Boston Council gives us an opportunity to challenge young adults to think big and become neighborhood leaders.  This population is diverse, well-educated and full of ideas that will help us grow the city in a sustainable and positive way."   Under the direction of the SPARK Boston Director, the 2017-2018 Council will spend the year using its talent and innovation to identify ways in which Boston can grow as an inviting, connected, culturally rich and sustainable place for young adults. Projects may include programming and projects on housing policy, economic development, equal pay, public art and neighborhood engagement.  Throughout the SPARK Boston Council Term, members also hear from key members of the Mayor's staff as well as leaders within City Hall.            "The SPARK Boston Council has always been defined by civically engaged, energetic Boston residents who are passionate about their future and our city," said Amy Mahler, Director of SPARK Boston. "Council members serve a multitude of roles: ambassadors of City programs and ideas to their peers, focus group for City staff, conveners of policy conversations and neighborhood celebrations, and so on." The 2016-2017 Council featured social workers, small business owners, undergraduate students, union organizers, aspiring faith leaders and more. Approximately half of the group are native Bostonians, while others grew up as far outside of Boston as Georgia, Texas and Jamaica. They currently live in 19 different neighborhoods across Boston. Last year, the SPARK Boston program received more than 300 applications for the Council, showing a robust interest for involvement and engagement. Projects for this Council cohort have included pop-up polling locations to promote the first early voting period in Massachusetts history, the launch of the Chief Chat policy talk series, and the Millennial Homeownership & Networking Social, a collaboration with the Boston Home Center to bring educational materials, lenders, and realtors to millennials.   "To me, SPARK Boston represents a team of millennials seeking to learn about and influence our communities," said Tariana Little of the 2016-2017 SPARK Boston Council. "We are young leaders hailing from Boston and across the country, representing diverse backgrounds, sectors, and ideas for social change."   "I am still amazed by how warmly schools, local businesses, my neighborhood, and City Hall welcomed me when I moved to here," said Oliver Madden of the 2016-2017 SPARK Boston Council.  "Boston helped me grow into who I am today, and SPARK has taught me that leadership is not an organizational position that you hold; it is taking action to benefit your community."   Applicants must be Boston residents, are between the ages of 20 to 34 to apply for the Council. Applications for the Council can be found here  and submission deadline is July 16th, 2017. For more information on the SPARK Boston Program, please visit http://www.sparkbos.com/.     About SPARK Boston Boston is home to a large and diverse millennial population. SPARK Boston (formerly ONEin3) is a City of Boston initiative that aims to empower the millennial generation to play a greater role in planning for the future of our city. Learn more at www.sparkbos.com.

哈佛新報告指房市緊俏推價格上揚 憂慮可負擔性

CAMBRIDGE, MA – A decade after the onset of the Great Recession, the national housing market has, by many measures, returned to normal, according to the latest State of the Nation’s Housing report, being released today by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Housing demand, home prices, and construction volumes are all on the rise, and the number of distressed homeowners has fallen sharply. However, along with strengthening demand, extremely tight supplies of both for-sale and for-rent homes are pushing up housing costs and adding to ongoing concerns about affordability (map + data tables). At last count in 2015, the report notes, nearly 19 million US households paid more than half of their incomes for housing (map + data tables).

National home prices hit an important milestone in 2016, finally surpassing the pre-recession peak. Drawing on newly available metro-level data, the Harvard researchers found that nominal prices were up last year in 97 of the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas. At the same time, though, the longer-term gains in real prices varied widely across the country, with some markets experiencing home price appreciation of more than 50 percent since 2000, while others posted only modest gains or even declines. These differences have added to the already substantial gap between home prices in the nation’s most and least expensive housing markets (map).

“While the recovery in home prices reflects a welcome pickup in demand, it is also being driven by very tight supply,” says Chris Herbert, the Center’s managing director. Even after seven straight years of construction growth, the US added less new housing over the last decade than in any other ten-year period going back to at least the 1970s. The rebound in single-family construction has been particularly weak. According to Herbert, “Any excess housing that may have been built during the boom years has been absorbed, and a stronger supply response is going to be needed to keep pace with demand—particularly for moderately priced homes.”

Meanwhile, the national homeownership rate appears to be leveling off. Last year’s growth in homeowners was the largest increase since 2006, and early indications are that homebuying activity continued to gain traction in 2017. “Although the homeownership rate did edge down again in 2016, the decline was the smallest in years. We may be finding the bottom,” says Daniel McCue, a senior research associate at the Center.

Affordability is, of course, key. The report finds that, on average, 45 percent of renters in the nation’s metro areas could afford the monthly payments on a median-priced home in their market area. But in several high-cost metros of the Pacific Coast, Florida, and the Northeast, that share is under 25 percent. Among other factors, the future of US homeownership depends on broadening the access to mortgage financing, which remains restricted primarily to those with pristine credit.

Despite a strong rebound in multifamily construction in recent years, the rental vacancy rate hit a 30-year low in 2016. As a result, rent increases continued to outpace inflation in most markets last year. Although rent growth did slow in a few large metros—notably San Francisco and New York—there is little evidence that additions to rental supply are outstripping demand. In contrast, with most new construction at the high end and ongoing losses at the low end (interactive chart), there is a growing mismatch between the rental stock and growing demand from low- and moderate-income households.

Income growth did, however, pick up last year, reducing the number of US households paying more than 30 percent of income for housing—the standard measure of affordability—for the fifth straight year. But coming on the heels of substantial increases during the housing boom and bust, the number of households with housing cost burdens remains much higher today than at the start of last decade. Moreover, almost all of the improvement has been on the owner side. “The problem is most acute for renters. More than 11 million renter households paid more than half their incomes for housing in 2015, leaving little room to pay for life’s other necessities,” says Herbert.

Looking at the decade ahead, the report notes that as the members of the millennial generation move into their late 20s and early 30s, the demand for both rental housing and entry-level homeownership is set to soar. The most racially and ethnically diverse generation in the nation’s history, these young households will propel demand for a broad range of housing in cities, suburbs, and beyond. The baby-boom generation will also continue to play a strong role in housing markets, driving up investment in both existing and new homes to meet their changing needs as they age. “Meeting this growing and diverse demand will require concerted efforts by the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to expand the range of housing options available,” says McCue.
 

The State of the Nation’s Housing 2017 will be released by
live webcast today @ Noon ET from the National League of Cities in Washington, DC.

重產學合作 斥資逾億 新民兵高中破土動工

Construction of New Minuteman High School to Get Underway

State and Local Officials Break Ground for New School

Groundbreaking for New Minuteman High School.  Pictured left to right are Minuteman School
Committee chair Jeffrey Stulin, State Rep. Jay Kaufman (D-Lexington), MSBA Executive Director
 Jack McCarthy, Minuteman School Building Committee chair Ford Spalding, and Minuteman
 Superintendent Dr. Edward Bouquillon. (Photo:  Allison Salisbury)

(Boston Orange) 歷經10年計畫，新民兵(Minuteman)高中終於破土動工了。

              新學校將分成生命科學及服務，和工程及建築行業兩個領域，共16個職業及科技教育項目，收取628名學生。其中先進製造及多媒體工程(技術劇院)是新設的兩個項目。

              州政府及地方官圓和數以百計的民兵高中教職員，學生，6月14日在位於林肯鎮(Lincoln)，學區所擁土地的該校足球場，參加了破土動工典禮，慶祝這預定斥資1億4490萬元建造新高中計畫，終於塵埃落地。新校位置距位於勒星頓鎮的該校現址，僅數百碼之遙。

              麻州學校樓宇局(MSBA)將為此項目投資4400萬元以上。

(From Minuteman High School) LINCOLN – Almost a decade in the planning, construction of a new Minuteman High School is finally underway. 

The new school is designed for 628 students who will spend their Minuteman “careers” in one of two Career Academies:  a Life Sciences and Services Academy and an Engineering, Construction & Trades Academy.  The new school will include 16 career and technical education programs, including two new ones:  Advanced Manufacturing and Multi-Media Engineering (Technical Theatre). 

State and local officials joined hundreds of Minuteman faculty, staff, and students today for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the construction of a new $144.9 million high school.  The 45-minute event took place on the school’s football field, located on District-owned property in Lincoln, just a few hundred yards away from the existing school in Lexington.   

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is investing more than $44 million in the project. 

“An investment in education pays the best interest,” said MSBA Executive Director Jack McCarthy, paraphrasing the words of Benjamin Franklin.  Mr. McCarthy noted that the Minuteman project has been in the MSBA planning process longer than almost any other project in the state, spanning the tenure of several State Treasurers.

Speaking on behalf of Minuteman’s State House delegation, Rep. Jay Kaufman (D-Lexington) applauded the project and noted Minuteman’s importance to students and to the region’s economy.  He also remembered the late Sen. Kenneth Donnelly (D-Arlington) as a leader in support of vocational-technical education and Minuteman High School.   

Nothing about the Minuteman project has been easy.  To secure project approval, the District needed to revise its governance structure and membership, scale back student enrollment, and change state regulations so non-members contribute to capital costs.  The District was also forced to hold a district-wide election to secure final approval for bonding.  

“This project nearly failed several times,” said School Committee chair Jeffrey Stulin of Needham.  Speaking directly to Minuteman students, Mr. Stulin urged them to take on important projects, be persistent, put their passion into it, and have the courage to accept that they might fail. 

For Minuteman Superintendent Dr. Edward Bouquillon, the groundbreaking ceremony has been a long time coming.  Dr. Bouquillon said he first realized that the existing building needed significant repair or replacement soon after he accepted the job as superintendent in 2007.  In November of 2008, he filed a Statement of Interest with the MSBA.  The new building will open in the fall of 2019.

In remarks at the groundbreaking, Dr. Bouquillon urged state officials not to tinker with the existing model for career vocational-technical education.  “Now is not the time to shave off the best aspects of CVTE and try to graft it onto a traditional high school schedule,” he said.  “All that will do is weaken our system in Massachusetts.”  

He also urged the State Legislature to increase funding for similar projects.  “MSBA needs another penny of the sales tax to get all the vocational technical schools rebuilt and to build new ones to fill the Skills Gap,” Dr. Bouquillon said.  Currently, MSBA is funded by one penny of the state’s 6.25-percent sales tax.      

Following the remarks, Dr. Bouquillon received a standing ovation.

Guests at the groundbreaking included a host of town managers and selectmen from area towns; education officials, including vocational school superintendents; officials from the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS); members of Minuteman’s business-led program advisory committees; and a representative from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.  

Several students flanked the podium, wearing uniforms representing two student organizations, FFA and SkillsUSA.

Ford Spalding, chair of the Minuteman School Building Committee and a member of the Minuteman School Committee, served as Master of Ceremonies. 

Through the Governor’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, the Baker Administration has approved two competitive grants totaling $995,000 to help Minuteman purchase equipment to start-up the new Advanced Manufacturing program.

Gilbane Building Company is the Construction Manager for the project and Kaestle Boos Associates is the Architect.  Skanska USA Building serves as Minuteman’s Project Manager.

Minuteman is an award-winning regional high school that integrates robust academic and career & technical learning to deliver a revolutionary competitive advantage. The school serves a diverse student body with multiple learning styles, expanding opportunities for college and career success.

Beginning in July 2017, the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District will include ten (10) member towns:  Acton, Arlington, Belmont, Bolton, Concord, Dover, Lancaster, Lexington, Needham, and Stow.  

波士頓僑界支持中華民國及自由民主的臺灣共同聲明

波士頓僑界支持中華民國及自由民主的臺灣

共  同  聲  明

針對巴拿馬共和國政府決定於6月13日終止與中華民國外交關係，經各界僑領會商決定發表共同聲明如下：

一、對於巴拿馬共和國政府背棄多年邦誼，決定終止與中華民國外交關係，轉而與中共建交，我們表達高度遺憾與不滿。

二、我們堅定支持政府維護國家主權與尊嚴之立場，與巴拿馬終止外交關係，絕對不在威脅下妥協讓步。

三、中共用金錢方式誘惑我邦交國與其建交，無助於兩岸關係的良性發展，嚴重影響區域和平穩定，也讓兩岸人民愈走愈遠，我們同聲譴責。

四、我們將作為中華民國政府的後盾，堅定支持自由民主的臺灣，並呼籲海內外同胞不分黨派、地域、新舊，團結合作，一致對外。

劉雲平加入200餘國會議員行列 告川普

REP. LIEU JOINS CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS TO FILE EMOLUMENTS LAWSUIT AGAINST TRUMP

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement as he joined nearly 200 Members of Congress in filing a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against President Trump. President Trump’s ongoing failure to obtain the consent of Congress before accepting payments, benefits, or gifts from foreign states violates one of the Constitution’s critical anti-corruption provisions, the Foreign Emoluments Clause.

“Despite running for office on a promise to ‘drain the swamp,’ President Trump has become a key part of it. For 145 days, his presidency has been shrouded in a cloud of illegitimacy. He violated the Constitution the moment he took the oath, because he refused – and continues to refuse – to divest his global business interests.”

“While American families work hard and play by the rules, Donald Trump sits back and enriches himself off the Office of the President. From his sprawling network of hotels – where foreign dignitaries have effectively admitted they stay to gain influence – to leasing his New York office space to a massive Chinese-owned bank, our President has put himself ahead of the American people at every turn. It’s not just immoral – it’s flat out illegal.”  

“That is why I am proud to join nearly 200 of my Congressional colleagues in this historic lawsuit against President Trump for violating the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the Constitution. Our Founding Fathers were clear: Congress must consent before federal officials accept payments from a foreign government. This suit is critical to ensuring the President of the United States is beholden to the American people, and the American people only.”eji6

Congressional Tri-Caucus Statement on House Democratic Diversity Initiative

Congressional Tri-Caucus Statement on House Democratic Diversity Initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced the House Democratic Diversity Initiative, which will focus on increasing workforce diversity across staff in House Democratic offices. The Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus – which is composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus – released the following statement:

“We commend Democratic Leadership for acknowledging the shortcomings of our caucus and the Congress. We also commend the minority staff associations for calling our leadership’s attention to this issue. They offered a number of strong proposals that the Tri-Caucus will continue to engage leadership on.

“America’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths. For the U.S. House to fully represent the needs of all Americans, the voices of all Americans must be represented in Congress – not just as Members, but also across the staff of our congressional offices. If Democratic Leadership wants to be successful in achieving this goal, the initiative announced yesterday must include data collection and robust funding.”

摩頓市 七月四日慶祝 6/30開始

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Malden to Kickoff July 4th Celebrations on June 30th

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Please join Mayor Gary Christenson and Library Director Dora St. Martin as Malden gets into the spirit of Independence Day with a series of exciting events at the Malden Public Library, 36 Salem Street on Friday, June 30th.  

Taking place from 4 to 5 PM in the Converse Memorial Building, the Library will display the original and the newly digitized version of Malden’s town records from the Revolutionary war period. Featured will be the May 27, 1776 document entitled “Instructions of the Inhabitants of Malden, Massachusetts to their Representatives in Congress” unanimously voted on by the townspeople of Malden to be delivered to the Second Continental Congress via their representative Ezra Sargeant. In the 1776 communication, the voting citizens of Malden renounce the Colony’s ties to the Kingdom of Great Britain and set forth their wish to become an independent “American” republic. The document is credited as a precursor to the Declaration of Independence written in July of 1776 when the Continental Congress formally declared their independence from England. The original historical document will remain on display for viewing. At 5 PM attendees will proceed to the front lawn where Local Historian and period actor Tom Coots will perform the Third Annual Reading of the town “Instructions.”  

僑委會委員長拜會波士頓僑團 (圖片)

Baker-Polito Administration Recaps Education Tour

Baker-Polito Administration Recaps Education Tour

Recent events highlighted commitment to Empowerment Zones, workforce skills education and a tuition-free pilot program for higher education

Click here to watch

FITCHBURG— Following a visit to Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School today, Governor Charlie Baker released a video capturing moments from a statewide education tour, where he and members of the administration visited elementary, vocational technical and early education schools to highlight successful programs and announce new programs aimed at college affordability and completion.

“We have spent the last month in classrooms across Massachusetts, and our administration is proud of the hard work invested in learning and skill building throughout the system,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We will continue to focus on opportunities, from early education to affordable college tuition rates, to strengthen every community and provide a bright future for our students.”

On May 16^th: Governor Baker and Secretary Peyser visited the Forest Park Middle School in Springfield to hear from teachers and principals about the school district’s improvement efforts through the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership. The Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership, finishing its second academic year, is an innovative approach the school district adopted voluntarily in an effort to improve underperforming schools. 

On May 24^th: Governor Baker and Secretary Peyser visited Bentley Elementary School in Salem to hear about its successful turnaround efforts; also visited a Head Start program located at the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council; and on May 31 toured Leominster High School’s Career and Technical Innovation Center to see equipment the school purchased with a $227,000 Skills Capital Grant awarded last year.  

On May 22^nd: Governor Baker announced the expansion of a dual enrollment program between Massachusetts Maritime Academy and the John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science in Roxbury. College officials pledged to fully-fund financial aid needs for qualified students from the John D. O’Bryant High School who are enrolled in the dual enrollment program and admitted to the Academy. 

On May 30^th:  Governor Baker and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the creation of The Boston Bridge, a tuition-free pilot program for 2017 high school graduates who live in the City of Boston. The goal of the historic partnership between the City and the Commonwealth is to eliminate financial barriers that prevent low-income students from going to college full-time, in order to boost college completion rates.

“Boston Bridge is not just about access to college; it’s not just about low-cost or affordable college. It’s about college success and completion. This is about encouraging students and providing incentives for students to go to school full-time and complete on time,” Education Secretary James Peyser said.

On June 2^nd: Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, along with Secretary Peyser, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash and Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II awarded $2.2 million in Skills Capital Grants to 10 vocational high schools. Since creating the grants last year, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded more than $26.4 million in Skills Capital Grants to schools that partner with local businesses to align curriculum and credentials with businesses’ demand to maximize hiring opportunities.

Governor Baker wrapped up the tour today with a visit to Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School to see the school’s new veterinarian facility. Monty Tech received a $136,000 Skills Capital Grant award last year, which helped the school develop the new veterinarian program. Students enrolled in the school’s construction program built a 7,500-square-foot vet facility, which will open in September.

Since taking office in 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has proposed increasing spending on all K-12 schools by more than $318 million. Earlier this year, after years of nominal increases for providers, Governor Baker proposed a 6% rate increase for early education providers, worth more than $28 million, which includes plans to increase annual support for infant and toddler providers by more than $9 million. Massachusetts was recently ranked #1 in the country for education by U.S. News and World Report, and also tops the list for best performing states on Advanced Placement Exams.