星期一, 6月 23, 2014

廣教學校推行改革首屆結業 大頒獎鼓勵學生

中華廣教學校21日早上舉行結業頒獎典禮,頒發13種獎項給196名學生,並以文娛表演展現學生們的優異學習成績,報告有12名學生將升讀波士頓考試學校的喜訊。
            校長曾秀芬在典禮節目冊校長的話中說明,該校在2013-2014學年度,踏出課程改革的第一步,分中國語文,中國歷史與文化,表演藝術,公開考試,課餘班,夏令營等項目,今年因此沒有畢業生,但新設了黃景弘獲得的“ISEE頒最佳表現獎“,郭榮臻獲得的”SAT Subject Test in Chinese最高得分獎“,以及廣教學校校董蘇李慧芬為紀念其夫蘇曄初而設立,由全體老師推選的”特別榮譽獎“。
            曾秀芬在典禮致詞中強調,現代社會資訊爆炸,學會如何學習,如何讀書做學問,做個有智慧的人,已變得越來越重要。中華廣學教學校抱著有教無類,服務社會,弘揚中國文化的宗旨,為教育下一代努力。她引述美國前國務卿希拉蕊(Hillary Clinton)曾說過的“培養一名小孩,得靠全村人努力(It takes a village to raise a child)”,感謝社區各界支持廣教學校,也鼓勵結業同學繼續學習,不要忘記創造美好世界,匹夫有責。父母,老師,以及“一整個村子”人的期望,都放在他們身上。
            中華廣教學校校董會董事長蔡倩婷,在會中報告該校學生佳績,包括有7名學生在SAT中文考試中獲得700多分的優異成績。ISEE(獨立學校入學考試)該校有14名學生參加,有12人考得進入前二名學校(波士頓拉丁學校,波士頓拉丁學院等)的優異成績。上週的波士頓香港龍舟賽,該校首次組代表隊參加,以0.395秒的差距,擠入決賽,最後贏得社區組金牌。
中華廣教學校成立已九十餘年。廿一日的結業典禮,有眾多嘉賓出席,包括駐波士頓經濟文化辦事處處長洪慧珠,波士頓華僑文化中心主任郭大文,紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦,波士頓安良工商會全美元老梅錫銳,波士頓安良工商會會長黃國健,紐英崙余風采堂主席余景新,波士頓華埠獅子會會長伍國光等多人。
波士頓市議員吳弭,雖然是中華廣教學校董事,並擔任秘書一職,當天以市議員嘉賓身份短暫出席。她說自己小時候也上過中文學校,希望小朋友們了解,學會中文很有用,要感謝父母為他們的將來著想,付出那麼多努力。
在一眾嘉賓致詞中,紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦透露,他也是廣教學校畢業生。波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文表示,曾秀芬校長的能力與努力,在社區已人盡皆知,僑委會明年將繼續在財力,物力上支持廣教學校。
中華廣教學校廿一日的結業典禮,由張馨予,張小雅兩名年輕老師擔任司儀,展現出廣教學校更接近下一代的新氣息。
當天的文娛節目,從李平指導的鼓隊演出“萬年歡”,揚琴演奏“喜訊”,古箏演奏“平湖秋月”,郭榮臻,余紹祥指導的醒獅,馬琳琳指導的唐詩朗誦“詠鵝”,“春曉”,蔡華潔老師指導的四重奏,羅詩慧老師指導的舞蹈表演,武皓康,曾泳嘉朗讀樂府詩“古從軍行”,張閱天演奏古箏“秦桑曲”等。
中華廣教學校頒發的獎項包括紀念蘇曄初,品學兼優,成績優異,品行優異,最佳進步等獎,以及至孝篤親公所,黃氏,李氏,余氏,獅子會等獎學金。
圖片說明:

            部分得獎小朋友與校長曾秀芬(後左三),董事長蔡倩婷(後中)合影。(菊子攝)

            廣教學校校長曾秀芬感謝社區,對小朋友期許良深。(菊子攝)

            廣教學校董事長蔡倩婷(前左起),余風采堂主席余景新,廣教學校校董陳毓禮,塔醫社區主任曾雪清,波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文,經文處處長洪慧珠,紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦,華埠獅子會會長伍國光,廣教前校董李伍綺連等人欣賞學生表演。(菊子攝)

            廣教學校學生表演舞獅。(菊子攝)

            李平(中)老師率學生演奏揚琴。(菊子攝)


            廣教學生表演四重奏。(菊子攝)

麻州多校學費居高不下

波士頓環球報昨(廿二)日刊登一篇文章,指根據該報調查,儘管人們家庭收入停滯不前,坊間財務補助越來越多,在麻州想上好私立大學,得自己掏腰包拿出來的錢,大幅增加。
波士頓環球報的報導指出,根據美國教育部所提供數據,檢閱麻州的三十多所學校後發現,私立大專院校的中位年度淨價(net price),也就是扣除財務補助及獎學金後,在2008年到2013年間,漲了10.5%,達到$29,481之多。
ㄧ名大學財務專家表示,越來越多低收入學生讀不起大學了。他表示,雖然求學淨價並不如學費漲得那麼快,但卻比通貨膨脹漲得多。
在波士頓環球報審閱的33所麻州私立大專院校中,有11所的求學淨價在過去五年間漲了15%。霍山學院(Mount Holyoke College)漲了24%,漲到$29,481 ,克里學院(Curry College)漲了21%,漲到 $33,537 ,塔芙茨大學漲了19.5%,漲到$27,142
以文學藝術出名的威廉斯學院(Williams College),漲得更高,47%,漲到$19,503,不過仍是麻州私立院校中最低的一個,因為該校獲得的捐贈款極多,能夠大量給出財務援助。
霍山學院的財務補助降了 %,求學淨價卻在五年間漲了 $5,700 。該校在波士頓環球報檢視的學校中,是僅有的財務補助減少了兩家學校之一。
在波士頓環球報檢視的 33 所大專院校中,平均的求學淨價其實下降了的,包括漢普夏爾(Hampshire)學院,哈佛大學,薩福克(Suffolk)大學,衛斯理(Wellesley)學院。
西蒙斯學院的2012-2013學年度,求學淨價也比五年前減少了約五千元。該校的財務補助增加了84%
東北大學(Northeastern University)一般的學生補助增加了65%,使得該校的平均求學淨價在五年間降低了 $2,365,降到 $30,482。

不包括財務補助的上大學總費用(Sticker prices)上升了。在2012-2013學年間,麻州私立大專院校的中位費用為一年 $56,000 ,比之前五年漲了15%。許多財力有限的學生,畢業時可能得揹上甚至廿萬元的貸款債務。

Environmental Police Urge Citizens to Follow Safe Off-Highway Vehicle Laws

Environmental Police Urge Citizens to Follow Safe Off-Highway Vehicle Laws

Officers advocate for helmet use and safety courses

BOSTON – Friday, June 20, 2014 – As the warm weather draws off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts to riding trails across the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) are urging operators to drive safely and obey state laws.  Responsible for enforcing state recreation vehicle laws, MEP officers are reminding operators of safety guidelines, including the importance of wearing helmets. Youth operators under the age of 18 are required to take OHV safety courses and all operators are encouraged to undergo training on how to operate their vehicles safely.

“Summer is a great time to enjoy outdoor recreation in Massachusetts,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett. “By following a few simple safety rules, everyone can help to make our trails and waterways safe for everyone.”

Five people were killed last year in OHV-related accidents, according to the MEP. In 2013, MEP officers responded to 79 accidents involving OHVs, which include ATVs, motorized dirt bikes and recreation utility vehicles.  There have been 20 fatal OHV accidents over the past five years, most caused by excessive speed or operator error. Of these accidents, 14 operators were either not wearing helmets or did not fasten them. Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and dramatically increases the likelihood of accidents resulting in personal injury or death. 

“Operating OHVs without the proper safety education and riding gear, such as a proper fitting helmet, can lead to tragic results,” said Acting MEP Director Lt. Col. Chris Baker. “We encourage every OHV operator to follow the law by wearing their protective helmets, in a addition to usecommon sense by driving at safe speeds to protect themselves, other riders, and everyone who may take to the trails this season.”

Safety Information:

  • Be cognizant of others out on the trail. Hikers, bikers and horseback riders have the right of way over recreation vehicle operators. 
  • Share the trail. Anticipate oncoming traffic and those approaching from behind.
  • Operation of recreation vehicles on public ways is prohibited.
  • Become familiar with state laws, local restrictions and facility rules. Local restrictions may limit where riding is allowed and facilities may limit the use of certain vehicle types.
  • Children under the age of 10 may not operate a recreation vehicle.
  
State law limits where riders may operate. Use of OHVs on any property without written landowner permission, including state Wildlife Management Areas, is unlawful and may result in fines up to $1,000 and forfeiture of vehicles for subsequent offenses. Riding in a water supply protection area such as the Quabbin or Wachusett Reservoirs can carry fines of up to $10,000, plus up to one year in jail. Individuals who operate recreation vehicles on public ways can be cited with motor vehicle violations.

Some state parks managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) are open to recreation vehicles. For a list of open parks, visit www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/orv.htm .  
  
To learn more about MEP, OHV safety and reporting OHV accidents, visit the MEP website at www.mass.gov/ole

Workplace Charging Grant

Workplace Charging Grant

·         Grant program to help install charging stations at workplaces, including businesses, non-profits, and state agencies with more than 15 employees
·         MassDEP will provide 50% of the funding for charging station hardware costs (up to $25,000) for employers to install Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations for electric and plug-in electric vehicles
·         Program operates on a first-come first-served basis

This grant program further demonstrates the Commonwealth’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Meridian, and we will be happy to assist you with applying for your grant!

Anthony J. Michetti, MS
Business Development Coordinator
500 Cummings Center, Suite 5950, Beverly, MA 01915                                     
Phone (978) 299-0447 ext: 218 / Fax (978) 299-0567

廿二日華埠擺攤表演迎春接夏

 胡清白鶴派舞獅。
華埠主街昨(廿二)日舉行華埠主街節,在夏利臣街,華埠公園內各擺出兩個舞台,演出功夫示範,民俗舞蹈,粵曲演唱等文娛節目。
下午兩點半多時,夏利臣街的舞台上,舞獅的鑼鼓喧天,吸引了許多人圍觀。乞臣街的波士頓象棋會攤位,也圍滿了看棋的人。華埠公園旁的粵曲舞台有不少人或坐,或站的欣賞。
波士頓象棋會的攤位最熱鬧。
今年和往年一樣,夏利臣街,必珠街,泰勒街,乞臣街都有木馬攔路封街,以便行人穿梭遊逛。不過街道上的攤位,明顯又再減少,整條乞臣街上只有波士頓象棋會擺出了三個攤位,夏利臣街,必珠街,泰勒街有一半以上街道是空的。必珠街上的慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處,符克樂音會,夏利臣街上的波士頓亞裔電影節,塔芙茨醫學院牙醫系等攤位,因此顯得格外搶眼。
有悠閒走逛的民眾指出,昨日天氣太好,陽光普照,氣溫華氏七十度多,許多人出城了,還有團體在郊區辦燒烤聚會,連波士頓市市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)也因為參加美國市長大會,飛去了達拉斯,更何況近在華埠旁邊的南端(South End),每週日都有農夫市場,食物卡車大會的搶遊客,以致華埠街頭昨日沒那麼多人。

    波士頓慈濟的蔡靜薇(左一)等人在必珠街上擺攤。
           

仙藝曲樂社在華埠公園的舞台上表演。
        

            

 從尼倫街看過去,木馬後面的整條乞臣街都是空的。
 從尼倫街看過去,木馬後面的整條泰勒街也幾乎都是空的。
            
從尼倫街看過去,警車後面的整條夏利臣街,要一直走到靠近必珠街時
,才有攤位


           

           

           

           

            
龍鳳酒樓旁的停車場,也空蕩蕩的。


          
 必珠街的肥牛火鍋店前,今年沒攤位。
  必珠街與夏利臣接交界處,竟然也沒幾個攤位。