State Officials Recognize 27 Programs for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education

State Officials Recognize 27 Programs for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education

2016 US Green Ribbon Schools Awardee Littleton Public Schools Also Recognized

BOSTON – May 2, 2016 – At a State House ceremony, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton today honored 27 energy and environmental education programs as part of the 22nd Annual Secretary’s Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education.

“These educators have gone beyond what is required to create programs that actively engage students in environmental and energy issues,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “It is vital we inspire young people to care about the well-being of the environment, and give them the tools necessary to help protect it.”

“The educators recognized today are inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards with hands-on learning programs.” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These projects teach students how to make a difference in the world and immerse them in important issues like energy, recycling, conservation and wildlife,”

“I am proud to recognize Massachusetts students, teachers and nonprofits who are working to make a positive impact on their communities and our environment,” said EEA Secretary Beaton. “The programs honored today instill in our youth appreciation for our natural world and encourage them to create innovative solutions to our environmental challenges.”

Winners competed for $5,300 in awards, funded by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust with the intention to fund further environmental education initiatives at the schools. EEA solicited Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education Award nominations in early 2016. Schools and organizations that voluntarily incorporate environmental education into public or private school curricula are given priority.

 The project applications were scored by the Secretary's Advisory Group on Energy and Environmental Education, a group of environmental educators from state agencies, non-profits, industry and academia.

Secretary Beaton also recognized the U.S. Department of Education (USED) Green Ribbon Schools awardee from Massachusetts, Littleton Public Schools. The award honors schools that are exemplary in reducing environmental impact and costs, improving the health and wellness of students and staff and providing effective environmental and sustainability education, which incorporates STEM, civic skills and green career pathways.

“We congratulate today's excellence in energy and environmental education award winners and thank all those who submitted nominations,” said Education Secretary Jim Peyser. “We also are pleased that Littleton Public Schools were recognition by the U.S. Department of Education for their leadership in working to promote a curriculum which highlights the importance of environmental learning opportunities.”

22nd Annual Secretary's Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education

ANDOVER:              Sanborn Elementary “Food Rescue Initiative and Recycling Program,” Sanborn Zero-Waste Team and the children of Sanborn Elementary, K-5

BOSTON:                  Northeast Clean Energy Council “Workforce Development Program,” Kevin Doyle

BOURNE:                 Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School “Environmental Science and Technology Program,” Nolan Roy, Grades 9-12

DARTMOUTH:        Dartmouth High School “Science & Marine Science Program” and “Pop-up Oyster Project,” Margaret Brumsted, Grades 9-12

DEVENS:                  Francis Parker Charter School “Water and Forest Ecological Investigations,” Judy Gibson, Grades 7&8

HAVERHILL:          Dr. Paul Nettle Middle School, “Air Quality Study,” Angela McVey,

Grade 7

LINCOLN:                Massachusetts Audubon Society “All Person’s Trails Guidelines Project”

MANCHESTER:      Manchester Essex Regional High School’s “Green Team,” David Alger,  “Green Team Project Managers,” Grades 9-12 and Co-Vice President Sarah Reed and Isabella Hickey. 

MANSFIELD:          Quarters Middle School “Blandings Turtle Headstarting Program,” Jill Sheridan, Mary Chmielecki, Lauren Penta & Michael Ganshirt, Grade 8

MIDDLEBOROUGH:  Middleborough High School, “Shed and Garden Project” Futures Program, Grades 9-12

NEW BEDFORD:    Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School “ES&T Sustainability Club,” Environmental Science/Technology & EST Students, Grades 9-12

NORTHAMPTON:   Lander Grinspoon Academy “Solar Energy Video,” Becky Lederman, Grade 6

NORTHAMPTON:  Lander Grinspoon Academy “What’s the problem with trash, and what we can do about it?” Amy Meltzer, Andrea Olkin and the Kindergarten Class

OAK BLUFFS:         Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School’s MVironment Club’s “Engineering for Sustainability,” Grades 10-12

OAK BLUFFS:         Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School “Building a Usable Cell Phone Powered by Solar Power,” Katharine Roberts and Rose Engler, Grade 10

PEABODY:               Captain Samuel Brown School “Brown School Green Strides Project,” Grades K-5

PEABODY:               Captain Samuel Brown School “Outdoor Classroom,” Daniel Dyer, Eagle Scout, Troop 88Project, K-5

PITTSFIELD:           Herberg Middle School “21^st Century Community Learning Center Program,” Meagan Ireland, Suzanne Jester and Karen Losardo, Grades 6 -8

SALEM:                    Salem Sound Coastwatch “Leading the Way to Healthier Sea & Shore Project,” Grades 9-12

SUDBURY:               Lincoln Sudbury High School “Design-Build-Test a Solar Hot Water Heater Project,”Chris Collins, Paul Shultz and Alex Wankowicz, Grades 9-12      

UPTON:                     Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School “From Local to Global: Hands-on Projects in Energy Efficiency,” Grades 9-12

WEST TISBURY:    Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School “Social and Environmental Resiliency Program,” Jonah Maidoff and Louis Hall – Grades 11 and 12

WEYMOUTH:          The New England Wildlife Center “Shut off the Lights, and Eat Your Peas Program,”Grades 5-6

WILBRAHAM:        Minnechaug Regional High School, “Green Team” Eco Club, Grades 9-12

WILLIAMSBURG:   Anne T. Dunphy School, “Korpita’s Kids Green Team,” Johanna Korpita, Grade 2

WINCHESTER:         McCall Middle School Greenhouse Club “Gaining through Sustaining at McCall’s Middle School Greenhouse,” Grades 6-8

WOBURN:                 Woburn Public Schools – All Elementary Schools “Change is Simple – Environmental Education Program,” Grades 3-5

Commonwealth Seminar application deadline 5/4

Commonwealth Seminar Update May 2016 Seminar Application  Deadline Extended  (Due: Wednesday, May 4th) --------------------------  After a number of requests from interested Seminar participants, we are extending the deadline re: applications for our next Seminar session tothis Wednesday (May 4th).  The six sessions are scheduled for: Thursday, May 12th - Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC); 60 Temple Place, Boston (5:30 - 8:15pm) Thursday, May 19th - The State House - Room 222 (3:30 - 5:15pm)     Thursday, May 26th - MAPC (5:30pm) Thursday, June 2nd - MAPC (5:30pm) Thursday, June 9th - MAPC (5:30pm) Thursday, June 16th - The State House (3:00pm - 5:00pm); Graduation! We strongly encourage Seminar participants to attend each class. Download application here. Why should you join the Commonwealth Seminar? Angus McQuilken, of MA Life Sciences Center offers a seminar on Press & Media to the most recent Seminar class The Education: We provide our students a unique opportunity to meet & learn from top policymakers and leaders in their respective political fields. During our six-week program, you'll spend one evening a week in interactive seminars with Administration officials, legislators, legislative aides, lobbying professionals, and media experts. The Network: Seminar alumni enjoy a Post Graduation Networking event at Scholar's Boston With over 1,100 graduates since its inception, the Seminar is fertile ground for meeting & networking with professionals and activists with similar interests.   Seminar graduates come from incredibly diverse backgrounds and are top & emerging leaders in their fields, communities and neighborhoods.  You'll also have access to job opportunities through our revamped Commonwealth Jobs Section. Members of the Commonwealth Seminar Class of 2015/16 at King's Bowling Alley in Boston The Camaraderie:  You'll have a great opportunity to strike up wonderful friendships with your classmates which you'll take with you long after the Seminar is over. The most recent Seminar class has already hosted a gathering at King's Bowling (see photo) where folks came from as far as Fitchburg to catch up with their former classmates. About the Commonwealth Seminar The Commonwealth Seminar is a privately funded program with the mission of opening the doors of the State House. It is an intensive training program focused on teaching diverse leaders how the Massachusetts Legislature really works. Top state legislators, legislative staff, media members, and administration policymakers will introduce seminar participants to the Legislature and state government generally. By giving an insiders' view of the process, our goal is to encourage diverse leaders to become effective advocates and to pursue careers in public service. Who Should Apply? We are looking for leaders from communities of color and immigrant communities; and people working to directly benefit them. We place a high value on creating a seminar class that is diverse racially, ethnically, and geographically. Successful candidates for the Commonwealth Seminar will have a basic understanding of state government and a clear desire to use the skills learned through the seminar to make positive change. Acceptance to the seminar is decided through a competitive process. Commonwealth Seminar staff and advisers will make all final decisions about the makeup of the seminar. More Information and Application Please be prepared to make a compelling argument in the application about how you fit into the Commonwealth Seminar's target student profile. For more information, and to download an application, please visit the Commonwealth Seminar website.  In This Issue Application Deadline EXTENDED TO MAY 4TH Why should you join the Seminar? What is the Seminar? Help Us Recruit!  Please forward this email to anyone who might be a good match for the Commonwealth Seminar!  Quick Links Website Join Our Mailing List Jobs Photos Third Sector New England Facebook

AG HEALEY GIVES $315,000 TO ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO IMPROVE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

AG HEALEY GIVES $315,000 TO ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO IMPROVE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Ten Organizations Across Massachusetts Selected; Funding is a Result of Settlements Including with ATM Owner and Operator Cardtronics, Inc.

BOSTON — As part of her commitment to breaking down barriers for those living with disabilities, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today that her office has selected 10 organizations across Massachusetts to receive $315,000 in grant funding to improve access and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

“We must strive to do better to guarantee equal rights for everyone with a disability,” said AG Healey. “When people with disabilities cannot actively participate in our society, we lose the benefit of the special talents and gifts each person brings. This grant program provides the funding needed to develop creative projects that utilize technology and innovative design to improve the lives of families across our state.”

            The grant program is funded through a settlement with ATM owner and operator Cardtronics, Inc., resolving claims relating to the company’s failure to comply with a court order requiring it to make the company’s machines accessible to blind and visually impaired consumers.

Through the Innovating to Improve Access and Opportunity for Individuals with Disabilities one-year grant program, the AG’s Office has awarded funding to:

·         Cape Cod Community College in West Barnstable for the purchase of adaptive technology that will benefit students with physical and intellectual disabilities.

·         Rewarding Work Resources in Brookline for technology to integrate an automated job posting board into its existing website to improve the process for hiring personal care attendants and respite worker for elders, individuals with disabilities, and their families statewide.

·         Children’s Center for Communications/Beverly School for the Deaf for equipment to pilot a new model for the remote delivery of speech and language pathology services to children with special needs in Essex and Middlesex counties.

·         The National Braille Press, a Boston nonprofit braille publisher, for a new editor application for Microsoft Word with advanced word processing functions for a braille computer that would allow blind users to read specialized editing formats.

·         South Shore Educational Collaborative in Hingham for the purchase of equipment to create a 3D Printing Lab for use in an integrated STEM and Business Management course for students diagnosed with a wide range of disabilities. The course would cover essential math and science skills as well as business management skills, and would produce products intended to assist individuals with disabilities in Barnstable, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk counties.

·         Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown for a handicapped parking space finder application and related technology, which will allow handicapped drivers to more easily find parking spaces.

·         WGBH Educational Foundation in Boston to create and distribute a free high quality, easy to use video captioning tool that will produce caption files compatible with all major web browsers, online media players and social media.

·         Hillcrest Education, with sites in Great Barrington, North Adams, Pittsfield and Lenox, to purchase 20 iPads with assistive technology for nonverbal children with autism, allowing them to communicate more easily and improve their overall functioning capabilities.

·         Melmark New England in Andover to develop an application to teach students and teachers how to use The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), a form of augmentative and alternative communication for individuals with autism.

·         Advocates, Inc. in Framingham to redesign the Autism Alliance of MetroWest website in order to provide enhanced resources and support services for families caring for loved ones with autism in Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Worcester counties.

Experts on accessible technology from Yahoo, Apple IBM and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology assisted the AG’s Office in reviewing applications for the grant funding.

As part of her effort to protect the civil rights of all residents, AG Healey in July 2015 announced the formation of her office’s Disability Rights Advisory Committee to advise her and her staff on matters pertaining to inclusion, access, and equality for individuals with disabilities.

Vote Now for AARP’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Community Hero Award

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 2, 2016 – Vote now for AARP’s inaugural Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Hero Awards to acknowledge the hard-working staff and volunteers of non-profit organizations serving AAPIs age 50-plus. Visitfacebook.com/AARPAAPICommunity to cast your vote during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month until May 31, 2016 at 11pm ET. Three heroes and their organizations will each receive a $1,000 cash prize when the winners are announced in June. “We’re thrilled with the caliber of all the nominees who were submitted for consideration by their colleagues, friends and family,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “Each and every one of the nominees provides invaluable service to our community.  Many have been serving for decades. We’re proud to recognize this outstanding group of individuals for their commitment to making a difference in the lives of older adults and ask that you vote now! We hope that by highlighting these community members we will inspire people to either volunteer or to work for our older adults.” The ten AARP Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Hero Award finalists are: Katty Chow, Kin On Community Health Care in Seattle, WA Enoch Fung, Chinatown Community Development Center in San Francisco, CA Julie Kimiyo Hubbard, Yu-Ai Kai Japanese American Community Senior Service in San Jose, CA Shiao-Lin D. Hui, Chinese Community Center Free Clinic at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Chicago (CCBA) in Chicago, IL Rose Kim Ly, Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay in Oakland, CA Fay Chew Matsuda, Hamilton-Madison House in New York, NY Soon Do Paik, Penn Asian Senior Services (PASSi) in Philadelphia, PA Dongwoo “Joe” Pak, Korean-American Seniors Association of Orange County in Garden Grove, CA Shubhada Saxena, SAIVA (South Asians’ International Volunteer Association) in Austin, TX Lourdes Santos Tancinco of the Veterans Equity Center in San Francisco, CA The finalists were selected from the 77 submissions AARP received from around the country including California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, DC. The stellar nominees included executive directors, staff, and volunteers who work in healthcare, social services, education, technology, and the arts.

薩福克郡治安官辦公室徵實習生

NOW RECRUITING FOR SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

Do you know a junior or senior who goes to school in Suffolk County and may be interested in a career in law enforcement? If so, why not send them the link posted below to let them know about this great paid opportunity to learn from law enforcement professionals while gaining valuable experience and transferable skills with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department?  Please see our flyer for more details or visit our website  at:  www.scsdma.org/programs/summer-enrichment-program-sep/ to register. DEADLINE TO APPLY: MAY 20, 2016.

Please take a moment to visit the website at:  www.scsdma.org  Learn more about some of the outreach, civic engagement and public safety initiatives of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department. More updates coming soon! Tell a friend!

波士頓綠路展出艾未未十二生肖頭像銅雕

今年是農曆猴年。（周菊子攝）

            （Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導）每個重約800磅，銅製的中國12生肖頭像，4月25日開始，一個個地出現在牛奶街附近的蘿斯甘迺迪綠路（The Rose Kennedy Greenway）上的噴泉那兒，將展至10月21日。

            綠路保護會預定5月19日為這一系列的公共藝術展，舉辦接待酒會。

雞。（周菊子攝）

今年綠路上將舉辦一系列，約三、四項公共藝術展。中國著名異議藝術家艾未未這靈感來自1800年代圓明園被盜12生肖獸首銅像的“動物圈/生肖頭（Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads）“作品，也是其中之一，週一才開始安裝進綠路的環噴泉（Rings Fountain）公園。

            綠路保護會的公共藝術館長高文（Lucas Cowan）表示，安裝在細竿上的12個銅製生肖頭像，在噴水池旁圍成一圈，彷如正在對話，讓人們看著這些銅製品，思考起這些頭像背後的意義，又到底什麼才是公共藝術。

狗。

            綠路上的下一項公共藝術，將是“猴見（Monkey See）”，新墨西哥藝術家 Don Kennell所創作的750磅重，10尺半高的金屬雕紅猴。高文說，那會像是滿臉狐疑的巨型金屬紅猴在那兒，凝望過往行人，無聲的問“我為什麼會在這兒？”，“你又為什麼會在這兒？”，

            這象徵輝映“猴年“的雕塑作品將放在華埠公園，和去年的”羊年“裝置藝術安放的同樣地點。

艾未未12生肖頭像銅雕在綠路上，靠近海洋水族館的噴泉
那兒，繞成一圈展出。（周菊子攝）

            兩名麻州藝術家Carolina Aragón 及 Gianna Stewart，獲得綠路只向本土藝術家開放的”本地“計畫贊助，用頂端是有色玻璃鏡片，會旋轉捕捉光線的500個6到8尺長光纖棒，製作出的“漲潮（High Tide）“，將在北端（North End）展出。以及名為“中間”，用5團透明樹脂做成，晚上會發光的蠔殼，將在杜爹利廣場和華埠公園之間展出，象徵”大挖“沿路翻出蜆殼。

艾未未的其他創作，2003年的“永遠（Forever）”，2009年的”蛇天花板（Snake Ceiling）“，已從4月3日起，在波士頓美術博物館（MFA）的“亞洲巨型城市”展覽中。（更新版）

豬。

鼠。

牛。

虎。

兔。

龍。

蛇。

蛇。

馬。

羊。

馬過來就是羊。