Tuition-Free Community College Application for BPS Students is Now Live

Tuition-Free Community College Application for BPS Students is Now Live

Eligibility for the program expanded since launch in April

Boston, MA - June 1, 2016 - Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang joined Mayor Martin J. Walsh in launching the application for the tuition-free community college plan, which provides a cost-effective entry point into higher education for Boston's young people. "The single most effective way to break down the social and financial barriers facing many Boston families is to make post-secondary education accessible," said Mayor Walsh. "I am so proud to launch this program and give our talented BPS graduates another resource for success." Since the program was announced in April, eligibility for the college plan has changed to provide even more students with access, lowering the GPA requirement from 2.2 to 2.0; requiring no more than three developmental courses, as determined by college placement testing, by the start of the semester; and completing community college within 3 years or less.  Under these expanded eligibility guidelines, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPA) students may also be eligible for the Tuition-Free plan.   "This life-changing program will impact so many of our students," said Boston School Committee Chairperson Michael O'Neill. "On behalf of the School Committee, I extend our gratitude to Mayor Walsh for increasing our graduates' access to the college pathway. This is a major component in guiding our students on a road to success." Today, the program is now available and will be run through the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (OWD), with support from the City's Neighborhood Jobs Trust (NJT). "The Boston Public Schools community is grateful to Mayor Walsh for providing opportunities and removing barriers for our students, so that they may be able to attend college free of tuition costs," said Superintendent Chang. "The City of Boston's commitment to pay for up to three years of community college will make a remarkable difference in the lives of so many of our students." If eligible for the plan, students can attend either Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) or Roxbury Community College (RCC), as long as they apply and are accepted. BHCC has main campuses in Charlestown (at the Community College T-stop on the orange line) and Chelsea with satellite campuses in East Boston, the South End, and Malden. RCC is located in Roxbury near the Roxbury Crossing orange line T-stop. Both colleges offer courses of study in a wide range of areas, such as accounting, biotechnology, business, computer science, criminal justice, early childhood education, nursing, and paralegal. Learn more about BHCC programs of study or RCC programs of study to consider which school might best line up with your interests. Students must meet the following requirements: Graduate from a BPS high school Have a grade-point average of at least 2.0 Be able to complete community college within 3 years Be eligible for a Pell Grant, as determined by the FAFSA Require no more than three developmental courses by the start of the semester Be accepted to either Bunker Hill Community College or Roxbury Community College Be a Boston resident Have low to moderate household income, per HUD guidelines If you have DACA or TPS status, see the Frequently Asked Questions, here: http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/Page/6098. The plan pays for: Tuition for up to three years of community college Mandatory college fees For some students, these costs may already be fully paid for by the Pell grant. However, for those students who do not receive full Pell coverage, the Tuition-Free Community College Plan covers the remaining costs for tuition and mandatory fees. Costs for books and transportation are not covered by the plan at this time. If students think they may be eligible - or to learn how to become eligible - they are encouraged to follow this simple process. Learn more, here: http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/tuition-free-college. For additional questions, email TuitionFreeCollege@boston.govor call the city hotline, BOS:311, by dialing 3-1-1.

Tuition-Free Community College Application for BPS Students is Now Live

Tuition-Free Community College Application for BPS Students is Now Live

Eligibility for the program expanded since launch in April

Boston, MA - June 1, 2016 - Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang joined Mayor Martin J. Walsh in launching the application for the tuition-free community college plan, which provides a cost-effective entry point into higher education for Boston's young people. "The single most effective way to break down the social and financial barriers facing many Boston families is to make post-secondary education accessible," said Mayor Walsh. "I am so proud to launch this program and give our talented BPS graduates another resource for success." Since the program was announced in April, eligibility for the college plan has changed to provide even more students with access, lowering the GPA requirement from 2.2 to 2.0; requiring no more than three developmental courses, as determined by college placement testing, by the start of the semester; and completing community college within 3 years or less.  Under these expanded eligibility guidelines, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPA) students may also be eligible for the Tuition-Free plan.   "This life-changing program will impact so many of our students," said Boston School Committee Chairperson Michael O'Neill. "On behalf of the School Committee, I extend our gratitude to Mayor Walsh for increasing our graduates' access to the college pathway. This is a major component in guiding our students on a road to success." Today, the program is now available and will be run through the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (OWD), with support from the City's Neighborhood Jobs Trust (NJT). "The Boston Public Schools community is grateful to Mayor Walsh for providing opportunities and removing barriers for our students, so that they may be able to attend college free of tuition costs," said Superintendent Chang. "The City of Boston's commitment to pay for up to three years of community college will make a remarkable difference in the lives of so many of our students." If eligible for the plan, students can attend either Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) or Roxbury Community College (RCC), as long as they apply and are accepted. BHCC has main campuses in Charlestown (at the Community College T-stop on the orange line) and Chelsea with satellite campuses in East Boston, the South End, and Malden. RCC is located in Roxbury near the Roxbury Crossing orange line T-stop. Both colleges offer courses of study in a wide range of areas, such as accounting, biotechnology, business, computer science, criminal justice, early childhood education, nursing, and paralegal. Learn more about BHCC programs of study or RCC programs of study to consider which school might best line up with your interests. Students must meet the following requirements: Graduate from a BPS high school Have a grade-point average of at least 2.0 Be able to complete community college within 3 years Be eligible for a Pell Grant, as determined by the FAFSA Require no more than three developmental courses by the start of the semester Be accepted to either Bunker Hill Community College or Roxbury Community College Be a Boston resident Have low to moderate household income, per HUD guidelines If you have DACA or TPS status, see the Frequently Asked Questions, here: http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/Page/6098. The plan pays for: Tuition for up to three years of community college Mandatory college fees For some students, these costs may already be fully paid for by the Pell grant. However, for those students who do not receive full Pell coverage, the Tuition-Free Community College Plan covers the remaining costs for tuition and mandatory fees. Costs for books and transportation are not covered by the plan at this time. If students think they may be eligible - or to learn how to become eligible - they are encouraged to follow this simple process. Learn more, here: http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/tuition-free-college. For additional questions, email TuitionFreeCollege@boston.govor call the city hotline, BOS:311, by dialing 3-1-1.

MAYOR WALSH TO SPEAK IN CHINA ON CLIMATE CHANGE

MAYOR WALSH TO SPEAK IN CHINA ON CLIMATE CHANGE

BOSTON - Thursday, June 2, 2016 -  Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that he has been invited to travel to Beijing, China on June 7 and 8, 2016 to speak at the U.S.-China Climate-Smart/Low-Carbon Cities Summit. Mayor Walsh will join a delegation of 20 U.S. cities that will attend the Summit. Organized under the U.S.-China Climate Change Working Group, this summit is an opportunity to exchange best practices between U.S. and Chinese cities, and more than 40 Chinese cities are expected to attend. "Boston has made significant progress on climate action, and I am honored to share best practices with cities from around the world," said Mayor Walsh. "This summit gives us an incredible opportunity to build on our legacy and learn how we can better protect Boston right now, and for our future generations." The 2016 U.S.-China Climate-Smart/Low Carbon Cities Summit is jointly organized by the United States and China and aims to promote the implementation of the U.S.-China Joint Announcement on Climate Change made by President Obama and President Xi in 2014, as well as the Paris agreement made in 2015. The summit will expand and deepen the leadership of city and local leaders on climate change and address key low carbon development topics such as carbon trading, air quality improvement, non-motorized transportation, green finance and technology innovation. Earlier this year, Mayor Walsh joined the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) Steering Committee, the governing body that provides strategic direction for the network of cities on the front line of preparing for and helping prevent climate change. Mayor Walsh is currently representing all North American cities on the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) Steering Committee. Boston joined C40 in 2014 and has made significant progress in the past two years, from the release of the updated Greenovate Climate Action, which sets a clear road map to achieve Boston's greenhouse gas reduction goals of 25 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, to receiving an international award for community engagement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris. Just prior to COP21 last year, Boston celebrated its compliance with the Compact of Mayors -- an important measure in achieving its climate commitments by providing a more transparent platform for Boston's climate progress. The Compact of Mayors is a global coalition of over 500 mayors and city officials pledging to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience to climate change, and track their progress transparently, and Boston has been an integral signatory in following through with its commitment.

名人為 BCNC 朗讀白蛇傳

BCNC hosts Madame White Snake Reading Sneak Preview

From Left: Ian So（蘇宇寅）, Shirley Leung（梁詩莉）, Cerise Jacobs（林曉英）, Liz Cheng（程必璧）, Jeffrey Why（陳偉健）, Giles Li （李隆華）。

As a community partner of Ouroboros Trilogy, Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) hosted a reading of Madame White Snake, as a sneak preview of this award winning opera. In addition to the reading, there was a singing performance, talk-back with the artist, and wine & cheese reception.

The Ouroboros Trilogy, a trio of grand operas created by BCNC supporter, Cerise Lim Jacobs, will be premiering at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in September 2016. The trilogy comprises the Pulitzer Prize winning Madame White Snake by Zhou Long, Gilgamesh by Paolo Prestini, and Naga by Scott Wheeler.

“We have put together an all-star cast of Asian American Who’s Who to do this reading, “said Giles Li, BCNC’s Executive Director.

Reading Madame White Snake is Shirley Leung, Columnist for the Boston Globe. 

Liz Cheng, General Manager of television stations: WGBH-2, WGBX-44, 'GBH Kids, and WORLD Channel, reading the Green Snake. 

Ian So, CEO of Chicken and Rice Guys, reading Xu Xian the Herbalist,

Geoffrey Why, Member of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo, P.C. , reading the Abbot.

After the reading, Elilsa Sunshine and Wee Kiat Chia sang the opera from Nanga.

BCNC is selling advanced tickets at $25 for the following performances:

                                Madame White Snake - Tuesday, September 13 at 7:30 PM

Gilgamesh - Wednesday, September 14 at 7:30 PM

Naga - Thursday, September 15 at 7:30 PM

Ticket sales will benefit BCNC family-centered programs for children, youth, and adults.

To Purchase Tickets click HERE (www.bcnc.net/Madame White Snake Reading)

國際領袖基金會 7/13 舉辦年度午餐會頒獎宴

國際領袖基金會（ILF）與亞美企業組織聯盟（CAABO）合作，將於七月十三日（週三）中午十二點起，在華府首都希爾頓酒店舉辦午餐會暨頒獎晚宴。

該活動歷年來的主題演講嘉賓包括前美國勞工部部長趙小蘭，前美國運輸部部長的Norman Mineta這兩名國際領袖基金會榮譽主席，美國國會少數黨領袖Nancy Pelosi，國會參議員Mazie Hirono，國會眾議員Ed Royce，Mike Honda，美國總統夫人米雪兒的幕僚長Tina Tchen，美國駐聯合國前大使Sichan Sly，美國豐田汽車行銷執行主席Yoshimi Inaba，印度企業組織TiＥtj;4104bp6Kanwal Pekhi，國際影星成龍，著名的愛滋病研究者何大一博士，奧林匹克賽得獎者Toby Dawson，以及美國科技長Todd Park等等。

2016 Luncheon & Awards Gala

Hosted by the International Leadership Foundation (ILF) & the Coalition of Asian American Business Organizations (CAABO)

Emerging Asian American & Pacific Islanders Business Trends and Opportunities  Wednesday, July 13, 2016 Capital Hilton 1001 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ILF/CAABO Luncheon 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Networking 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM VIP Reception & ILF Awards Gala

Keynote Speakers & HonoreesThe Honorable Elaine Chao, former Secretary of Labor and Honorary ILF Chairwoman; The Honorable Norman Mineta, former Secretary of Transportation and Honorary ILF Chairman; Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader; Senator Mazie Hirono; Members of Congress Ed Royce, Mike Honda, Judy Chu, Doris Matsui, Grace Meng and Amata Radewagen; Chris Lu, Deputy Secretary of Labor ; Tina Tchen, Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama; Ambassador Sichan Siv, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.; Yoshimi Inaba, Executive Chairman of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.; Kanwal Rekhi, Founder of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) organization; international film star Jackie Chan; David Ho, prominent AIDS researcher; Toby Dawson, Olympic medalist and Todd Park, U.S. Chief Technology Officer

Governor Baker Nominates Two to Massachusetts District Court

Governor Baker Nominates Two to Massachusetts District Court

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker has nominated Michele Armour and Michael Brennan, attorneys each with almost a quarter century of experience to serve as judges in the Massachusetts District Court. 

“Michele Armour and Michael Brennan offer the district court a great combination of experience drawn from distinguished careers in public service and private practice,” said Governor Baker. “I am confident that these nominees will serve the court and the citizens of the Commonwealth with distinction, and I am pleased to recommend them to the Governor’s Council for their advice and consent.”

“Both of these trial attorney’s familiarity with the court system, honed over many years of experience, will allow them to run fair, efficient and just courtrooms,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.  “We know Michele Amour and Michael Brennan will serve the Commonwealth with honor and distinction."

Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Statewide Judicial Nominating Commission and recommended to the Governor. All judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council.

There are 62 District Courts throughout the Commonwealth hearing a range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health and other case types.

For more information about the District Court, visit http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/trial-court/dc/.

About Michele Armour

Michele Armour, a resident of Norfolk, MA, serves as Chief Trial Counsel in the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office where she is responsible for prosecuting felony cases, including first degree murder, aggravated burglary, armed robbery and rape.  Before beginning her 24 year career in Norfolk County, she served as an Assistant District Attorney in Central Islip, New York where she prosecuted misdemeanor and felony cases. She graduated cum laude from Union College in Schenectady, NY with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Psychology in 1989, and from Albany Law School in 1992. In addition, Ms. Armour is the Chair of the Child Fatality Review Team and serves on the Board of the Norfolk County Advocates for Children, a child advocacy center, providing comprehensive services for child sexual and physical abuse victims.  

About Michael Brennan

In 1998, Mr. Brennan established his own private practice in Needham, MA and handles matters for a wide variety of clients in the state courts.   His practice has been primarily criminal defense work while also handling a wide variety of civil cases over the years. Brennan began his legal career in 1990 at the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office where he served as ADA until 1997. Brennan was born in Newton and graduated from Hobart College in 1985 with a BA and from Suffolk University Law School in 1990.

DONNA SUMMER ROLLER DISCO PARTY RETURNS TO CITY HALL PLAZA ON JUNE 17

DONNA SUMMER ROLLER DISCO PARTY RETURNS TO CITY HALL PLAZA ON JUNE 17

Third-Annual Celebration of Summer is Free and Open to the Public

BOSTON - Thursday, June 2, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the third-annual Donna Summer Celebration of Summer Roller Disco Party will be held on Friday, June 17 from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. on City Hall Plaza. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public. The City of Boston will provide free rentals to guests on a first come, first serve basis and all are encouraged to bring their own skates if available. "I am pleased that our Donna Summer Roller Disco party has proven a success and we are able to bring it back for the third consecutive year," said Mayor Walsh. "We are committed to providing our families and residents with free, fun events all year and the roller disco party honors Donna Summer and her Boston roots while energizing City Hall Plaza."  The event will welcome back DJ Kon to the DJ decks. Kon, aka Christian Taylor, has been a member of Boston's hip-hop scene for decades, and he is internationally recognized as a re-edit and rework pioneer. Joining Kon will be members of Donna Summer's extended family including O'Mega Red, Donna's nephew and flag-bearer for her legacy. "That the Mayor shows this respect to Donna each year is something the family truly appreciates," said O'Mega Red. "My aunt was very much a true diva and her legacy survives and grows larger with each passing year." Summer died at 62 years-old on May 17, 2012. "No Boston-born musician has sold more albums than Donna Summer," said Holly Thomason of the Boston Roller Derby, which will again support the event. "As the Roller Derby, we obviously pay our respects but as a woman, Donna represented a bold, courageous, and fearless artist." "To us, Donna Summer is as big as Elvis," said David Day, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Together Boston, a promotional partner. "She was a pioneer of modern music and approached technology with a confidence few have seen since."