"我們是波士頓"今晚6點網上舉行 亞美社區緊急紓困基金獲表揚

波士頓市長吳弭(Michelle Wu，左起) 頒獎給亞美社區緊急紓困基金代表，劉安琪，
以及右起陳玉珍，鄺寶蓮等人。(MOIA提供)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 波士頓市移民進步辦公室 (MOIA)主辦，強調移民對波士頓也有貢獻的「我們是波士頓 (We Are Boston) 」活動，今年以「從夢想到行動」為主題，訂今晚 (3月3日) 在網路上舉行。

                       波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 在接待會中談及她的來年目標，並頒發「我們是波士頓社區支持獎 (We Are Boston Community Champion Award)」給由6個地方機構組成的「亞美社區緊急紓困基金 (Asian Community Emergency Relief Fund)」。

藍十字藍盾執行長Andrew Dreyfus致詞。(MOIA 提供)

                       該基金在新冠病毒疫情期間，發出50多萬元給因為疫情失去收入，無法取得公共福利，還面對著反亞裔種族歧視的許多家庭。

                       「我們是波士頓企業領袖獎」頒給了Arbella保險基金會，因為該機構慷慨支持移民的非牟利機構，擁護「工作及家庭流動法 (Work and Family Mobility Act)」。

波士頓市市長吳弭(中)與MOIA辦公室主任Yusufi Vali (右一)及其工作同仁。(MOIA提供)

               去年11月才當選波士頓市長的吳弭 (Michelle Wu)表示，”作為移民的女兒，我知道移民家庭及社區在使我們的城市更親切，更有彈性，更歡樂上有多重要”。”如果我們要為每個人打造波士頓，就必須在我們努力時，把我們的移民社區放在心中”。

             本屆活動贊助單位暨共同主辦者的麻州藍十字藍盾執行長Andrew Dreyfus表示，在新冠病毒疫情期間，很多移民及難民都是前線工作人員，既是領袖，也是創造改變者。

               波士頓市移民進步辦公室(MOIA)主任Yusufi Vali表示，今年的「我們是波士頓」活動以「從夢想到行動」為主題，因為這是該行動的時候了，好讓移民的夢成為現實。

亞美社區發展中心(ACDC)主任劉安琪代表亞裔社區緊急紓困基金致詞。 (MOIA提供)

                       MOIA有大約12名工作人員，致力協助移民融入社區，改善生活，發揮己長。該機構衛移民社區提供法律服務，英語課程，社會融合，精神健康等各方面的支援，最近還在籌辦協助在美國境外已有專業證照者得以發揮所長的項目。           

               「我們是波士頓」今年有27家企業贊助商，共捐贈11萬6500元，將用於支援服務移民的非營利組織。今年的頒獎晚會將在MOIA的臉書網頁上直播            facebook.com/BOSImmigrants。

WE ARE BOSTON 2022: FROM DREAMS TO ACTION

 BOSTON - Thursday, March 3, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu, the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA), and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts hosted We Are Boston 2022: From Dreams to Action on March 3, 2022. The annual reception celebrates Boston immigrants and their contributions to the City. It also highlights how government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors can work together for advocacy and change.

 “As a daughter of immigrants, I know the vital role that our immigrant families and communities play in making our city more welcoming, more resilient, and more joyful,” said Mayor Wu. “If we want to build a Boston for everyone, we must do so with our immigrant communities at the heart of our efforts.”

 “Immigrants and refugees are frontline workers, leaders, and changemakers. Throughout this pandemic, they have helped sustain our schools, our businesses, our hospitals - our entire community. And they are leading the call for equity at this critical moment in our country’s history,” said Andrew Dreyfus, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, event co-host and in-kind sponsor.

 During the reception, Mayor Wu addressed her goals for the upcoming year and named this year’s honorees. She awarded the 2022 “We Are Boston Community Champion Award” to the Asian Community Emergency Relief Fund, made up of six local groups. The Fund distributed more than half a million dollars to families that lost incomes because of the pandemic and could not access public benefits, all while facing anti-Asian racism. The 2022 “We Are Boston Corporate Leadership Award” went to Arbella Insurance Foundation because of its generous support of immigrant nonprofits and because of Arbella’s advocacy for the Work and Family Mobility Act.

 “The theme of this year’s We Are Boston is ‘From Dreams to Action,’” said Yusufi Vali, Director of the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement. “We picked this theme because this is the time for action so immigrant dreams can become reality.”

 Director Vali spoke about how MOIA worked with public, private, and nonprofit sectors to help immigrants recover from the pandemic, grow immigrant wealth and wages, and respond to the inhumane treatment of Haitians at the border. He also spoke on the department’s goals to build out City resources for legal services, ESOL classes, social integration, and mental health.

 Twenty-seven corporate sponsors funded this year’s We Are Boston. Their donations totaling more than $116,500 dollars will go towards operational support and capacity-building for immigrant-serving nonprofits. This year’s champion sponsors are Arbella Insurance Foundation, The Klarman Family Foundation, and State Street Corporation; and the visionary sponsors are Eastern Bank Foundation and Tufts Medical Center. Corporate sponsors are invited to participate in this year’s workshop about how to leverage the diversity and skills of immigrants to benefit their businesses and drive Boston’s economy.

 We Are Boston 2022: From Dreams to Action is available to watch on MOIA’s Facebook page: facebook.com/BOSImmigrants.

北美海產展訂3月13至15日回波士頓實體舉行 預計830家廠商參展

 Suppliers and Buyers Looking Forward to Getting Back Together at

Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America

Portland, Maine (March 3, 2022) — In less than two weeks, the highly anticipated Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, produced by Diversified Communications, will bring back together the seafood industry to reconnect and conduct business face-to-face. The 2022 edition, taking place March 13-15 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, will welcome suppliers ready to present their seafood products, equipment, packaging and services to industry buyers.

“The event currently has more than 830 exhibiting companies in over 180,000sf of exhibit space. Representing 70% the size of the event in 2019 and still being by far the largest gathering of seafood professionals in North America is an impressive offering of value to seafood buyers in a year impacted by COVID-19,” said Wynter Courmont, Event Director, Diversified Communications.

Attending buyers will be able to meet with a notable list of seafood and processing companies from 50 countries, many new companies, and many well known in the industry including Avramar, Camanchaca, Chicken of the Sea, Clearwater, Cooke Aquaculture, Eastern Fish, Eastern Fisheries, Gumusdoga, Handy International, Hofseth, Inland Seafood, Lenger Seafood Group, Lund’s Fisheries, Kilic, Mazzetta Company, Northern Wind, Ocean Beauty, Orca Bay, Pacific Seafood Group, PrimStar BV, Seattle Shrimp, Southwind Foods, Trident Seafood, and Viciunai Group, to name a few.

New companies that have recently committed to the event include Export Partner/NEC, Australian Trade (Austrade), Amende & Shultz, Blue Evolution, Devi Seafoods, Inc, Maldives Fisheries Promotions Board, Superior Lobster and Vietocean Seafood Vietnam. A growing list of exhibitors can be viewed here: https://www.seafoodexpo.com/north-america/exhibitor-lists/

“The Australian Trade and Investment Commission is excited to be participating in the Seafood Expo in 2022 for the first time,” Rachel Moody, Senior Trade Director – Food & Beverage, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). “Our goal is to highlight the variety and value of Australian seafood and introduce North American industry and partners to our producers. We will be supporting up to 12 companies, promoting a variety of species from abalone to rock lobster to finfish while at the show.”

Chairman MPDA, The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) from India explained that “MPEDA is looking forward to participating in the Boston event in 2022 with 11 companies and showcasing the diversified Indian seafood products ranging from chilled, frozen and ready to eat/cook products which include shrimp, cuttlefish, squid, fish fillets, breaded & battered products. It will be a wonderful opportunity to see the seafood professionals again all under one roof. Nothing beats a face-to-face interaction.”

Companies across both sides of the aisle recognize the value in having this annual event and are counting on the 40th edition to boost their business and build new relationships.

“The Boston show definitely is attributed to our success,” commented Keith Singleton, President-Value Added Division, Alaskan Leader Seafoods. “Starting from a little booth back in the corner with one item to where we are today with a collage of recipes, packaging and species. It’s been a wonderful ride.”

“I have been attending the Seafood Expo in Boston as a buyer for many years, and I am looking forward to attending this March,” explained Brad Clark, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Captain D’s. “This event is a great opportunity for me to meet with my existing suppliers as well as meet new suppliers and look for new products to carry in our restaurants. After 2 years of not being able to meet in person, it is more important now than ever to be able to attend the expo to do business.”

Buying decisions are made during and immediately after the exposition. In the last edition, 85 percent of surveyed visitors were involved or influence purchasing decisions, 71 percent planned on making a purchase as a result of attending the event and 88 percent found new products or companies.

With less than two weeks left, high-volume buyers from retail and foodservice companies continue to express their interest in the event and have registered to attend the 2022 edition of Seafood Expo North America, including Acme, Albertsons, Bloomin’ Brands, Captain D’s, Costco, Darden, Delaware North, Foodbuy, Giant Eagle, H-E-B, Jewel Osco, Kroger, Loblaw, Long John Silvers, McDonald’s, PFG, Publix, Red Lobster, Sam’s Club, Stop & Shop, Sysco, Target, The Cheesecake Factory, Walmart, Wegmans, Whole Foods, US Foods, and many more.

“Our team is excited to attend this year’s Seafood Expo North America. Our industry has changed significantly in the past two years. Consumer preferences are different, suppliers have expanded/narrowed their product offerings, and new associates have joined our teams,” said Josephine Theal, Director Category Management, Food, Delaware North. “More than ever, we need valuable partnerships to plan ahead for what’s next. Our team has determined that attending the show will help us achieve this in the best way.”

One-stop shop for product sourcing
Throughout the past two years seafood buyers have had challenges sourcing new products, and yet the need for new products has grown as North American consumers became more comfortable cooking seafood at home. Experts predict this growing retail demand will continue, at the same time as restaurant business continues to rebound and consumers look for new products. This year’s event will feature 86 new and featured product showcase entries from 35 exhibiting companies—a one-stop shop for buyers looking for new and creative products and solutions.

“Royal Greenland is excited to exhibit at SENA 2022. Building awareness and connecting with customers at this key industry event promotes our mission to bring wild-caught, high-quality seafood from the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean to consumers around the globe,” stated Kerry Clift, Marketing Manager North America, Royal Greenland

Among the new products submitted as part of the prestigious Seafood Excellence Awards competition, two will receive the award for Best New Retail Product and Best New Foodservice Product. Winners will be revealed on Sunday, March 13 at 3:00pm at the event.

“I always find the Seafood Expo a very valuable experience in terms of education, product innovation and relationship building. There is a huge opportunity in the US to improve the per capita consumption of seafood,” commented Rich Castle, Director of Seafood, Giant Eagle Inc. “The Seafood Expo allows a lot of very smart people to share ideas and push forward products and processes that will improve sustainability, efficiencies and customer acceptance. Myself and my team will be attending because we always come home energized and focused on implementing new products, processes and services that will help drive our desire to be “best in class” seafood departments.”

A comprehensive educational conference agenda
Through the three-day event, Seafood Expo North America’s conference program will offer more than 28 informative sessions led by seafood industry experts. Attendees will take away practical information pertaining the most important and timely issues relevant to today’s seafood business environment. Highlighted sessions include a keynote address, by Megan Greene, Global Economist, Financial Times Columnist and Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School, Economic Outlook for 2022, and a plenary session, Three Ways to Incorporate a Diversity and Inclusion Program to Benefit Your Business, presented by Tony Byers, PhD, Former Director, Global Diversity & Inclusion, Starbucks.

Seafood industry buyers and professionals can learn more about Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America and register to attend by visiting seafoodexpo.com/north-america.

波士頓公校總監搜尋委員會 9人小組有余慕潔、唐佳宇

邦克丘社區學院校長余慕潔再次加入波士頓公校總監搜尋委員會。(檔案照片，周菊子攝)         (Boston Orange) 波士頓公校總監將於6月底本學年結束時卸任，波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 和波士頓學校委員會主席Jeri Robinson今 (3) 日宣佈9人搜尋小組委員會名單，將召開4場公聽會，聽取民眾意見，訂6月初宣佈入圍候選人。                  波士頓市長吳弭表示，做為市長，她已準備好利用每一個平台及資源來確保市內每一機構及領域的年輕人都得到優先考量。波士頓市必須挑選一名不僅能夠建立長久傳承，賦予學校社區能力，還能組成一個做好協力因應挑戰，爭取機會的領導團隊。 波士頓教師工會會長唐佳宇(右三)獲選為波士頓公校總監搜尋委員會成員。 (檔案照片，周菊子攝)              波士頓公校上週公告了一份招標書 (RFP)，要挑選一家搜尋公司來協助處理聘請新任公校總監流程。有意競標的公司須在3月18日前投票，波士頓學校委員會預定4月初著手挑選。              搜尋委員會的9名成員，包括波士頓公校學生、家長，老師、學校領導及社區成員。這委員會將舉行一連串4場公聽會，收集民眾意見，草擬職位概述，以及面試及挑選的流程。                       這4場公聽會將都在網上舉行，預定日期及時間為3月9日，15日，24日的晚上6到8點，以及4月2日的早上10點至中午12點。前3場依序以公眾，西班牙語人士，學生為主要對象，4月這場，再度以公眾為對象。              民眾的意見，也藉電子郵件，以書面形式交給學校委員會，電郵地址為superintendentsearch@bostonpublicschools.org.。波士頓市府稍後將張貼網上意見調查，供社區民眾提交書面意見。               搜尋委員會由9人組成，包括邦克丘社區學院校長余慕潔 (Pam Eddinger)，波士頓公校特殊教育家長顧問委員會主席Roxi Harvey，波士頓學校委員會委員Lorena Lopera，芬衛高中學生Marcus McNeill，波士頓學校委員會副主席Michael O’Neill，Channing小學校長Carline Pignato博士，波士頓公校中學總監Gene Roundtree，波士頓教師工會會長唐佳宇 (Jessica Tang)，波士頓拉丁學院老師            José Valenzuela。 MAYOR WU AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR ROBINSON OUTLINE PROCESS FOR SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

BOSTON - Thursday, March 3, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu and School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson announced the members of a 9-person search committee and the collaborative process for selecting a new Boston Public Schools Superintendent, as outlined by the Chair in Wednesday’s School Committee meeting. The announcement follows the mutual decision reached last month that Superintendent Brenda Cassellius would step down at the end of the school year. The search committee will focus first on gathering community feedback that will inform an accelerated process to select a new Superintendent in time for the next school year. “As mayor I’m ready to use every platform and resource to ensure our young people will be a priority across every sector and institution in the city,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “To meet the urgency and potential across BPS, we must not only choose a Superintendent who can build a long-lasting legacy, but also empower school communities and invest in a leadership team ready to collectively tackle our challenges and opportunities.” "Securing a new BPS Superintendent through a collaborative and transparent process with our community is of the utmost importance to restore a sense of trust and unity between the school district and its constituents," said School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson. "By centering the voices of BPS families and students, external partners and stakeholders and the City of Boston at large, we will help ensure this critical decision is mutually beneficial as we seek to stabilize district leadership for the continued advancement and wellbeing of our BPS community.” BPS last week posted a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a search firm to help manage the process to hire a new superintendent. Search firms have until March 18 to respond to the RFP before the School Committee selects a firm by early April. The search committee includes representation of BPS students, parents, teachers, school leaders, and community members. The search committee will host a series of public listening sessions starting in March to gather community input to shape the Superintendent’s job description and inform the interview and selection process. These listening sessions will include both weekday and weekend times to be as accessible as possible to Boston residents with different schedules. The meetings will be held on Zoom, recorded and posted online following the conclusion of each meeting, and will include live interpretation in all BPS languages. One listening session will be designated primarily for Spanish speakers.  The listening sessions will take place on: Wednesday, March 9, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Public listening session Tuesday, March 15, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Public listening session for Spanish speakers Thursday, March 24, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Student listening session Saturday, April 2, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Public listening session Additionally, members of the public can submit written testimony via email to the Boston School Committee at superintendentsearch@bostonpublicschools.org. In the coming days, the City will also post an online survey for community members to provide written input to inform the search and selection process. Search committee members will review applications and interview candidates in executive session to preserve the confidentiality of the applicants and equity in the search process. The final candidates will be announced by early June, and interviews for the finalists will be conducted publicly in early- to mid-June. The search committee will make a recommendation to the School Committee, which will then vote on the person to whom to extend the offer of the Superintendent position. The members of the search committee are: Pam Eddinger, President of Bunker Hill Community College Roxi Harvey, Chair of the BPS Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SpEdPAC) Lorena Lopera, Member of the Boston School Committee Marcus McNeill, Student at Fenway High School Michael O’Neill, Vice Chair of the Boston School Committee Dr. Carline Pignato, Head of School at Channing Elementary School Gene Roundtree, Secondary School Superintendent at Boston Public Schools Jessica Tang, President of the Boston Teachers Union José Valenzuela, Teacher at Boston Latin Academy More information on the Superintendent search, including registration links to public listening sessions, can be found here

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES BOSTON’S NEW YOUTH POET LAUREATE

 

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES BOSTON’S NEW YOUTH POET LAUREATE The John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science’s Anjalequa Leynneyah Verona Birkett is Boston’s second Youth Poet Laureate.

BOSTON - Thursday, March 3, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Boston Public Library, 826 Boston, MassLEAP, GrubStreet, and Urban Word, today announced Anjalequa Leynneyah Verona Birkett has been named the City of Boston’s next Youth Poet Laureate.  “Young people don’t just represent the promise of tomorrow, they’re leaders in our neighborhoods and communities today,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Anjalequa is one of those leaders and I can’t wait to see how she elevates Boston youth voices as Boston’s Youth Poet Laureate.”

Photo (left to right): Chief of Arts and Culture Kara Elliott-Ortega, City of Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola, Boston Youth Poet Laureate Anjalequa Leynneyah Verona Birkett, and former Boston Youth Poet Laureate Alondra Bobadilla.

Anjalequa was born and raised in Roxbury before moving to Roslindale. She is currently 18 years old and attends the John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science, where through the 826 Writers Room, she has been given a space and community to truly hone and admire her love and technique for writing and poetry. Her cleverness and artistry stems from her own life experiences and wanting to connect with those around her. She has volunteered with organizations such as A-VOYCE and BARCC to spread awareness of social issues that impact her community and help make and be the blueprint for change. In everything she does she makes it her mission to express the feelings of people around her and her own, and create a bright, and better future ahead. “I will use this opportunity and platform to connect with Boston youth through poetry and the arts, find what issues they want to change and how they want to improve their community, and be the voice that makes it happen in my own way,” said Youth Poet Laureate Anjalequa Leynneyah Verona Birkett. “I also want the youth of Boston and Boston residents to find their own voice through poetry and the arts by holding spaces and events for them to come together, learn, give back and improve, as I make myself into a strong representative. I aim to make my time and work in this role impactful, inspiring, loud and true.” Anjalequa was named the next Youth Poet Laureate at a showcase at the Boston Public Library, where she read some of her original poetry alongside several Youth Poet Laureate finalists and semifinalists, including: Fernando Medina, Fenway High School (finalist) Yolanda Oliveira, EMK Academy for Health Careers (finalist) Ash Albert, Boston Latin School Megan Li, Boston Latin School Atticus Duck, John D. O'Bryant School of Math & Science Maya McNeill, Wellesley High School Each youth poet received several books, including a copy of former Boston Youth Poet Laureate Alondra Bobadilla’s debut collection of poetry With Clipped Wings, and a summer scholarship for a writing class at GrubStreet. Anjalequa will receive a $2,000 annual stipend as Youth Poet Laureate, and will also publish her own collection of poetry. She will be mentored by Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola while she is in this role. “It has been thrilling to see Alondra Bobadilla organize, teach and lead as our inaugural Youth Poet Laureate. I think what's even more exciting is the passing of the role onto our second laureate, Anjalequa Birkett. We were impressed by Birkett’s poetry, pose, and spirit,” said Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola. “What was most inspiring, however, is that she was a 2019 youth poet laureate finalist. She is in the unique position to be a pillar of perseverance for her peers, for the city, and for poetry. I am excited to see how she continues to enliven her dreams while carving herself into the city’s literary tradition.”  The Boston Youth Poet Laureate program (BYPL) was created in cooperation with the national youth literary organization, Urban Word, local youth literary leaders, the Boston Public Library, MassLEAP, and 826 Boston to promote appreciation for poetry. Similar to the Poet Laureate's civic challenge, the Youth Poet Laureate is tasked with inspiring deeper engagement in the written and spoken word. Alondra Bobadilla was named Boston’s inaugural Youth Poet Laureate in January 2020. “The Youth Poet Laureate program centers youth voices in civic life while expanding Boston’s connection to poetry,” said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts and Culture. “Alondra has done amazing work over the past several years, especially during the pandemic, and we’re confident that Anjalequa will continue keeping people inspired and engaged through poetry.” To learn more about the Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate programs, visit boston.gov/poetry.

波士頓市再提案200萬元以上房屋出售徵2%轉手費

             (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓可負擔住宅房荒太兇，市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)露口風，有意再提案，促請麻州議會容許波士頓市經由家規法，向售價200萬元以上的高價房地產徵收2%轉手費。

             波士頓環球報指出，向高價房屋徵收轉手費的提案並不新鮮，不但波士頓市前市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)曾經提出過，麻州的南特基(Nantucket)，尚莫維爾(Somerville)，康可(Concord)，以及布魯克蘭(Brookline)等其他市鎮也都提出過，但均未成功。

             波士頓市議會在3月2日晚通過了波士頓市長吳弭的這一提案，要向售價200萬元以上的高價房地產徵收2%，由賣方支付的轉手費，售價中的第1個200萬元可豁免稅費。有心人曾估計，若波士頓市早在2021年之初就實施這一做法的話，波士頓就已經為可負擔住宅徵收到一億元了。

             波士頓環球報稱，徵收高價房屋轉讓費的這一提案，將是吳弭政治力量有多大的一個測驗。前任波士頓市長馬丁華殊曾任麻州眾議員，在州議會中朋友很多，但推動這一法案時也一樣碰壁。

             這次波士頓現任市長吳弭再提此案，有無通過機會，各界看法頗歧異。有人認為吳弭既有麻州眾議員麥家威(Aaron Michlewitz)，也有新當選麻州參議員的Lydia Edwards這兩位好朋友，還有其他的許多支持者，她提案通過的機會大些。但波士頓環球報稱，麻州參眾兩會議長都不願直接表態，這事恐怕並不那麼容易。

波士頓公校總監Cassellius6月可領31萬元離職金

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu，左)和波士頓公校總監Brenda Cassellius (右)今年初攜手
為學生準備防護裝備。(檔案照片)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 波士頓學校委員會同意在波士頓公校總監Brenda Cassellius離職時，付給她31萬4000元，約等於她一年的薪資。

              上個月，波士頓市長吳弭( Michelle Wu)才和波士頓公校總監Brenda Cassellius聯袂宣佈，他們雙方協議，Brenda Cassellius將於6月30日離任。

              3月2日晚波士頓學校委員會開會，卻有人稱許Cassellius，質疑她是自願還是被逼離職。

              Cassellius的前任，張欽棠 (Tommy Chang) 也是在位3年，已簽5年合約後辭職，並依照合約也領了約等於一年薪資的30萬元離職金。

在週三晚的會議中，有些人表達沮喪之感，稱波士頓公校總監這職位有如旋轉門。波士頓學校委員會委員Brandon Cardet-Hernandez認為，人們對波士頓公校總監的信任似乎已被侵蝕了。

              波士頓學校委員會在2021年決定把Cassellius的合約展延2年，直到2023年6月時，對她的表現是滿意的。也因為如此，根據合約，波士頓市政府必須付給她相當於一年的本薪，或是直到2023年合約結束前，她應該得到的薪資。

              另一名學校委員會委員Quoc Tran說，”以我來看，她是我們迄今所有最好的公校總監”。

              有些學生家長卻對Cassellius把波士頓市3所考試學校的入學許可辦法，改為根據居住區域號碼做為加減分依據等作法，非常不滿。

              由於Cassellius還有3個月就要離職了，吳弭說她希望新的波士頓公校總監是個會親赴學校巡視的人。波士頓學校委員會已透過搜尋公司發出徵人啟事，截止日期是3月18日。

              波士頓學校委員會主席 Jeri Robinson宣佈，搜尋委員會成員包括波士頓教師工會會長唐佳宇 (Jessica Tang)，芬衛高中學生Marcus McNeill，以及波士頓特殊教育家長顧問委員會主席Roxann Harvey。

              波士頓學校委員會由7名委員組成，一任4年。其中Stephen Alkins博士是波士頓市長吳弭於今年1月指派就任的。吳弭在去年12月時，也重新任命了前代理市長Kim Janey指派的Lorena Lopera 以及 Rafaela Polanco García to續任波士頓學校委員會委員。

              波士頓居民在去年大選的選票中，以大多數同意，通過了支持波士頓學校委員會由民選產生的做法，但是該選票問題並無法律約束力，這一委員會將來是否改由民選產生，仍待觀察。

麻州長Baker、昆士市長Koch聯袂落髮 為公益籌款

麻州州長查理貝克( Charlie Baker，右)和昆士市市長柯奇(Tom Koch，左)第9度聯袂落髮，
做公益籌款。(圖片來自昆士市臉書)

                   (Boston Orange) 麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)和昆士市市長柯奇(Tom Koch)在3月1日這天，再次在「修髮儲錢 (Saving by Shaving) 」活動中聯袂落髮，為波士頓兒童醫院的小兒科研究及治療募款。

在這由花崗岩電信公司(Granite Telecommunications)假該公司位於昆士市總部主辦活動中一起落髮的名人，還有波士頓兒童醫院董事長暨執行長Kevin Churchwell，以及WEEI電台節目主持人Greg Hill。

愛國者隊球員，包括Ted Karras，Matt Light，Mac Jones，Kyle Van Noy ，以及 Joe Andruzzi等人，也都來共襄盛舉。

今年的這場落髮籌款善舉，已是第九年舉辦，估計可為波士頓兒童醫院的「每個兒童基金 (Every Child Fund)」籌到750萬元。這是該活動去年籌到的數目。

花崗岩電信公司會為每名參加落髮活動的剃光頭者，或至少剪了8吋頭髮者捐出2500元，該公司執行長Rob Hale家將比照捐款，所以每一名落髮者，可謂這活動籌得5000元。

該公司還為每一頂化療帽捐款100元。

Roche announces donation of essential medicines to Ukraine

 Roche announces donation of essential medicines to Ukraine

Basel, 02 March 2022 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced an initial donation of essential medicines to Ukraine. Roche vehemently condemns the violent invasion of the country.

Roche is working diligently to support the country and people of Ukraine with medical products in accordance with Roche’s overall mission and announced today that we are donating 150,000 packages of Rocephin, a critical antibiotic used to treat the symptoms of many kinds of bacterial infections and listed on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines.

These donations will be delivered to Ukraine as soon as possible to address the urgent need in the country. Roche is working with external partners to facilitate transport into the country despite the current lack of humanitarian corridors into Ukraine. 

Roche remains in contact with multiple global and local partners as well as charities to understand how it can best continue to support the people of Ukraine with additional medical supplies. The situation is evolving quickly and further details will be shared when available. 

保護暴力罪倖存者 麻州政府推新公安法

  Survivors of Violent Crimes Call for Passage of Baker-Polito Legislation

Survivor Stories Continue to Highlight Need for Public Safety Proposals

For high resolution and additional photos, click here.

 

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito today joined survivors, domestic violence providers and law enforcement officials in Springfield for a roundtable event highlighting the importance of the Administration’s legislation which would create comprehensive new protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, assault and battery, and other crimes. The roundtable was moderated by Liz Dineen, the Executive Director of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, a Springfield-based domestic violence provider, and also included Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy and Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood. Watch today’s roundtable event here.

 

The event was part of the Administration’s continued efforts to work with the survivor community to demonstrate the importance of this critical public safety legislation which would improve protections for survivors and the public. In December, the Administration announced the filing of the legislation at a similar roundtable event in Plymouth, and in January, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito testified on the legislation before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on the Judiciary alongside survivors whose stories speak to the importance of the legislation. Last week, the legislative package was endorsed by the Massachusetts Office for Victims Assistance (MOVA), an independent state agency that supports victims of crime in the Commonwealth.

 

“Today’s roundtable event continues our work in partnership with the survivor community to highlight the real-world stories that demonstrate the importance of this critical legislation, and we are grateful for the brave survivors who shared their stories today,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our dangerousness proposal would fill critical gaps in the way our criminal justice system currently deals with dangerous individuals so we can better protect survivors and members of the public. We look forward to working with our legislative colleagues to make these critical changes so we can keep our communities and families safe.”

 

“As we continue to advocate for this important public safety legislation, we remain committed to putting survivors’ stories front and center, to help everyone understand how important these reforms are,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Chair of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. “The survivors who joined our roundtable today are demonstrating inspiring courage, and we are grateful to them for their willingness to share their stories.”

 

“The circumstances of every survivor’s story are different yet similar in their shared experience of living in unrelenting fear. Sadly, many survivors share another similarity – a disheartening encounter with a system that lacked the tools necessary to protect them in their time of greatest need,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “These bills will close loopholes and strengthen protections for some of our most vulnerable citizens. We owe it to countless survivors to make these commonsense reforms.”

 

“Any legislator who cares about protecting victims of crime must vote for this bill,” said Liz Dineen, Executive Director of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts and moderator of today’s roundtable event.

 

An Act to Protect Victims of Crimes and the Public: First filed in 2018, the Administration’s proposal would expand the list of offenses that can provide grounds for a dangerousness hearing and close certain loopholes at the start and end of the criminal process that currently limit or prevent effective action to address legitimate safety concerns. It would strengthen the ability of judges to enforce the conditions of pre-trial release by empowering police to detain people who they observe violating court-ordered release conditions; current law does not allow this, and instead requires a court to first issue a warrant. Under this proposal, judges will be empowered to revoke a person’s release when the offender has violated a court-ordered condition, such as an order to stay away from a victim, or from a public playground. Current law requires an additional finding of dangerousness before release may be revoked.

 

The legislation also expands the list of offenses which can provide grounds for a dangerousness hearing including crimes of sexual abuse and crimes of threatened or potential violence. It also follows the long-standing federal model in including a defendant’s history of serious criminal convictions as grounds that may warrant a dangerousness hearing. Current law requires courts to focus only on the crime charged and ignore a defendant’s criminal history when determining whether the defendant may be the subject of this sort of hearing.

 

An Act Relative to the Harmful Distribution of Sexually Explicit Visual Materials: First filed in 2017, this legislation seeks to close a loophole under current law by creating penalties for adults who distribute a sexually explicit image for purposes of revenge or embarrassment. While current law addresses non-consensual recording of an unsuspecting person, it does not address instances where someone distributes an image without consent regardless of whether the initial image may have been taken with consent. This legislation closes the gap in state law by creating a new felony offense and empowering judges in criminal proceedings to ensure an explicit image in question is permanently destroyed.

 

Learn more about the legislation.

 

劍橋合唱團招募新團員 3/18、25試音

劍橋合唱團 (圖片來自臉書)

             (Boston Orange)劍橋合唱團招募新團員，訂3月18日與3月25日晚間6-7點在摩門教堂（65 Binney St., Cambridge, Level 1, Sanctuary Room）試音。

劍橋合唱團指揮顏毓芬籲請有意參加合唱團人士報名，從前述2日時段中，事先約定10分鐘試音時間，並準備一首自選曲後出席。

該團將遵循地方政府及練唱場地的戴口罩，以及出示接種疫苗證明等相關規定，也請參加試音者配合。試音當天，可自由參觀，並加入該團練唱。

劍橋合唱團成立於1992年，是大波士頓地區歷史最悠久、規模最大的中文合唱團，從中文藝術歌曲、台灣民謠、客家歌謠、台灣原住民歌曲，乃至歌劇、音樂劇、宗教歌曲、流行歌曲等皆有涉獵，並每年都在春冬兩季各舉辦一場音樂會。

查詢詳細資訊，可上網：https://www.facebook.com/cccsma，聯絡可洽: contact@mitcccs.org。