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Boston Public Schools to Host Strategic Implementation Plan Community Meetings
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BPS Officials Seek Community Input on Key Initiatives for the District
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Boston, MA - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - The Boston Public Schools (BPS) will host several community meetings to gather community feedback on a draft of the BPS Strategic Implementation Plan, which Superintendent Tommy Chang shared with the public for input. The plan builds on the district's strengths, addresses core challenges, and delineates a set of 29 initiatives to advance the district's academic and operational agenda.
Boston Public Schools Deputy Superintendent of Strategy Donna Muncey will facilitate the community-based conversations. Small group conversations will focus on strategic priorities outlined in the plan, including:
The community forums are scheduled as follows:
Attendees can register, here:http://bit.ly/29jpNC1. While the public is encouraged to attend any of the community meetings listed above, those who cannot attend are welcome to send feedback to superintendent@
The Strategic Implementation Plan represents the culmination of a strategic planning process begun by the Boston School Committee (BSC), which resulted in the adoption of a Strategic Vision in February 2015. Throughout 2014, prior to the hiring of Superintendent Chang, the BSC and Boston Public Schools' leadership conducted a series of community meetings to generate aspirations and priorities for the district, with the expectation that the new Superintendent would present a more detailed implementation plan, including specific initiatives, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
Since his tenure began on July 1, 2015, Superintendent Chang has been collecting input from parents, students, staff, and partners -- including extensive feedback on his 100-Day Plan -- to inform his development of the Strategic Implementation Plan. Dr. Chang is now seeking community feedback on the latest draft of the document.
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BPHC Launches "Farm Fresh Boston" Campaign
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Campaign Promotes Availability of Fresh, Affordable Foods Across the City at Boston's Farmers Markets
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BOSTON - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - The Boston Public Health Commission's (BPHC) Executive Director Monica Valdes Lupi was joined by Boston's Chief of Health and Human Services Felix G. Arroyo and Board of Health Member Manny Lopes Wednesday as BPHC launched a campaign aimed at raising awareness that affordable, locally-grown produce is available at over 25 farmers markets throughout the city.
The "Farm Fresh Boston" campaign highlights the City's Boston Bounty Bucks (BBB) program that enhances the buying power of low-income SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly "food stamps") beneficiaries at farmers markets. BBB provides a dollar-for-dollar match up to $10 on healthy foods purchased at participating markets throughout the city.
The campaign features original photography of local residents showcasing the bounty that shoppers will find at markets throughout the city during the summer months.
"Boston is fortunate to have an abundance of farmers markets where residents can purchase fresh produce and other locally-grown foods in virtually every corner of the city," said Chief of Health and Human Services Felix G. Arroyo. "We've done a great job as a city expanding farmers markets so that anyone can find a market within minutes of their home or workplace. And with Boston Bounty Bucks, markets even more accessible to our low-income residents."
"Helping people access affordable, healthy foods is crucial to achieving health equity in Boston," said BPHC Executive Director Monica Valdes Lupi, JD, MPH. "With this campaign, we hope to make people aware that farmers markets are valuable neighborhood resources for healthy living, that are often right around the corner from our homes."
Along with raising awareness, the "Farm Fresh Boston" campaign will provide tools and resources in both English and Spanish to help Boston residents locate their local farmers markets and select food once they arrive at the markets. A map tool created for the campaign helps residents locate the farmers markets in their neighborhoods.The campaign provides resources, like a seasonal produce guide, to help Bostonians learn about and choose farm fresh options.
Boston residents will see the campaign highlighted throughout the summer months inbus shelters, on BigBelly trashcans, and in advertisements on bus interiors and exteriors. Wayfinding signs will also direct pedestrians to nearby markets, helping to emphasize the campaign's message that farm-fresh fruits and vegetables are available right around the corner from wherever you are in Boston.
Farmers Market shoppers will be encouraged to share photos of their bounty on social media using #farmfreshBOS and #FrescoDeLaFincaBOS. BPHC will collect social media photo submissions and host a weekly sweepstakes drawing for farmers market-related prizes.
In September 2014, BPHC was one of 50 communities awarded a three-year cooperative agreement award from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) to implement Partnerships to Improve Community Health (PICH), a national effort to reduce the prevalence of obesity, tobacco use and exposure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. PICH supports the implementation of evidence-based voluntary policy and systems changes that encourage healthy choices in physical activity, nutrition and smoke-free housing.
In its first year, BPHC rebranded PICH as "Let's Get Healthy, Boston!" (LGHB) a name that speaks to the project's goals. LGHB is a partnership with the Boston Alliance for Community Health, which supports ten organizations with trained Healthy Community Champions - neighborhood residents who do grassroots advocacy for healthy choices.
The "Farm Fresh Boston" campaign is a partnership between BPHC's Let's Get Healthy Boston project and the Mayor's Office of Food Initiatives, in collaboration with farmers markets from across Boston's neighborhoods.
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About the Boston Public Health Commission
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The Boston Public Health Commission, the country's oldest health department, is an independent public agency providing a wide range of health services and programs. It is governed by a seven-member board of health appointed by the Mayor of Boston.
Public service and access to quality health care are the cornerstones of our mission - to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The Commission's more than 40 programs are grouped into six bureaus: Child, Adolescent & Family Health; Community Health Initiatives; Homeless Services; Infectious Disease; Recovery Services; and Emergency Medical Services.
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