麻州府撥款700萬元支持先進製造業

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $7 Million to Support Advanced Manufacturing Initiatives and Job Creation

Funding supports job growth and innovation and growth in Commonwealth’s manufacturing sector

AMHERST – In celebration of National Manufacturing Day, the Baker-Polito Administration awarded $7 million in funding to support growth in seven innovative advanced manufacturing projects across the Commonwealth through theMassachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2). The funding supports critical research and development infrastructure at advanced manufacturing projects in leading sectors such as advanced functional fabrics, integrated photonics, robotics, & flexible-hybrid electronics.

Governor Charlie Baker and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash made the announcement at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where they toured its nanomanufacturing and additive manufacturing facilities as part of the continued importance of manufacturing to the Commonwealth’s economic future during the event at UMass Amherst.

“Advanced sensors, smart construction materials and adaptable clothing are just a few of the innovative products that will be developed in Massachusetts’ evolving manufacturing sector over the coming decades,” said Governor Baker. “These awards will ensure the Commonwealth remains a leader in advanced manufacturing to spur job growth and train students for valuable career opportunities.”

The Baker-Polito Administration has committed more than $100 million in funding over five years to the M2I2 effort, which provides a vehicle for the Commonwealth to invest in the Manufacturing USA program and advance innovation and job growth through cross-collaboration among companies, universities, national labs, government, incubators, accelerators, and other academic/training institutions.

“Today’s awards represent our Administration’s focus on building on our strengths, investing in critical R&D infrastructure at our world-class research institutions, national labs and innovative companies that will expand training opportunities,” said Secretary Ash. “Manufacturing has the ability to drive employment statewide and provide extremely competitive salaries for workers, while also advancing the development of revolutionary products. This Administration is committed to expanding opportunities in manufacturing and to increasing access to cutting-edge R&D tools.”

"It's exciting to see investments from the Commonwealth to support advanced manufacturing, said Senate President Stan Rosenberg. “It will help grow our economy, keep us competitive, and is exactly what we need to do right now."

Under the Manufacturing USA program, Massachusetts is convening the national effort to develop revolutionary functional fibers and textiles, and participating in regional manufacturing innovation institutes in robotics, integratedphotonics, flexible hybrid electronics, and biopharma manufacturing.

The awards announced today during Massachusetts Manufacturing Month will fund seven projects from four of the national manufacturing institutes, including those focused on flexible-hybrid electronics (NextFlex), advanced functional fabrics (AFFOA), integrated photonics (AIM Photonics), and robotics (ARM):

Grantee(s) & Location(s)	Amount	Description	Affiliated Manufacturing USA Institute
Analog Photonics (Boston, Mass.)	$1,390,000	Building a new industry, and a new ecosystem for supporting the development of sophisticated automated design software and the required Intellectual Property (IP) Blocks for the fabrication of novel integrated photonics.	AIM Photonics (American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics)
MIT Lincoln Labs (Lexington, Mass.)	$1,900,000	Germanium deposition tool to complete and establish the nation’s first DoD Trusted Integrated Photonics Fabrication Prototyping Facility for the development of defense-related products for advanced computing (quantum, cryogenic, all-optical) and sensing (bio screening, AVs, microwave radar).	AIM Photonics (American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics)
MIT/Ministry of Supply (Cambridge and Boston, Mass.)	$90,000	The project will result in a new type of garment that can sense and adapt comfort to the local climate by changing garment breathability and body blood circulation, addressing key needs in the emerging athletic and defense smart clothing markets. This 3D-Knitting technology can bring back apparel production to Massachusetts.	AFFOA (Advanced Functional Fabrics of America)
MIT/Northeast Regional Robotics Innovation Collaborative (RRIC) in Boston at MassRobotics (Years 1 & 2:Cambridge and Boston, Mass.;Year 3: Boston and Worcester, Mass.)	$500,000 in year 1; total of $1,980,000 over 3 years	Develop and deploy “Teach-Bot”, an innovative robotics instructor and demonstration machine that interacts with the learner; training targets experienced manufacturing workers, to arm them with new skills to deploy, program and maintain robots in the workplace.	ARM (Advanced Robotics Manufacturing)
MRSI (Billerica, Mass.)	$570,000	Develop a tool that can place lasers onto silicon photonics with sub-micron precision, allowing MRSI to compete with or exceed industry leaders, expand its market share, and create more jobs in Billerica, Mass.	AIM Photonics (American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics)
Saint-Gobain/ UMass-Lowell (Northborough, Mass.; Lowell, Mass.)	$550,000	Development of an optical fabric that can be woven into infrastructure and provide a groundbreaking civil infrastructure monitoring system (buildings, pipelines, bridges & tunnels, rail lines, etc.).	AFFOA (Advanced Functional Fabrics of America)
UMass -Amherst/Uniqarta (Amherst, Mass.)	$500,000	The Ultra-Thin Die Assembly for advanced flexible-hybrid electronics (FHE) Systems will address key manufacturing gaps and workforce development needs critical to the deployment of FHE technologies.	NextFlex
Total	$6,980,000

UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy highlighted the importance of its new award in driving next generation advanced manufacturing and training at the campus and statewide.

“Governor Baker and his administration clearly understand the value of bringing together academia, government and industry to create an innovative economic environment that positions the Commonwealth competitively for continued success,” said Chancellor Subbaswamy. “The investments in research announced today at our flagship campus include support for our game-changing Institute for Applied Life Sciences at UMass Amherst, and such strategic funding helps drive the innovation economy throughout the state.”

According to the recently launched Manufacturing in Massachusetts website, 10.1%of the Commonwealth’s total economic output is tied to manufacturing and $26 billion in manufactured goods were exported from the Commonwealth in 2016 alone. Roughly 250,000 employees work in the manufacturing sector in Massachusetts, comprising 7.8% of the total workforce in the state.

“Massachusetts has a long history of driving innovation in manufacturing and has a strong base of workers in this space, but the way we manufacture products is changing, relying less on repetition and more on innovation,” said Ira Moskowitz, Director of Advanced Manufacturing Programs at the Innovation Institute at MassTech, which manages the Commonwealth’s investments in the M2I2 program. “Today’s awards are an important step to prepare our workers and companies for the future. Under M2I2, we are continuing to identify projects that will grow our base of advanced manufacturing firms and encourage Massachusetts firms to engage with us and with this program.”  

To learn more about the M2I2 program, including how Massachusetts manufacturers can apply for grants, visit http://m2i2.masstech.org.

About M2I2:

Launched by the Baker-Polito Administration in 2016, the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) aims to help Massachusetts manufacturers adopt innovative new technologies and provides the Commonwealth to invest in the Manufacturing USA program. The Administration has committed $100 million-plus in funding over five years to support M2I2 projects across theCommonwealth, investments which are managed by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. Through the creation of sector-specific Manufacturing USA Centers, M2I2 will advance innovations and job growth within the state through cross-collaboration among companies, universities, national labs, government, incubators, accelerators and other academic and training institutions. For more information visithttp://m2i2.masstech.org.

波士頓市長宣佈十月是製造月

MAYOR WALSH PROCLAIMS OCTOBER AS MANUFACTURING MONTH

BOSTON - Friday, October 6, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today proclaimed October to be 'Manufacturing Month' in the City of Boston. At a visit to Dorchester Brewing Company this morning, Mayor Walsh was joined by representatives from the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, Newmarket Business Association Executive Director Sue Sullivan and local manufacturing companies to recognize the economic impact and growth of manufacturing and industrial businesses within the City of Boston. "Manufacturing is a key sector of Boston's economy. By employing more than 13,000 people in the City of Boston, it doesn't just produce goods, it produces opportunities," said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud to declare October Manufacturing Month. Through our Back Streets Program to priorities embedded in Imagine Boston 2030, we will remain committed to helping manufacturing and industrial companies thrive in the City of Boston." The Walsh Administration continues to support manufacturers that are producing goods in the city through the Back Streets Program, a comprehensive outreach and engagement initiative for industrial and commercial businesses in Boston's industrial corridors. Under the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, the Back Streets Program supports businesses throughout the City's nine Back Streets, and provides guidance around licensing and permitting, zoning and workforce development. "Manufacturing is vitally important not only as an economic driver of our City, but also as a key generator of innovation, product development and employment potential," said John Barros, Chief of Economic Development. "As Boston's economy continues to transform, I look forward to supporting our manufacturing with the tools and technology to remain productive and competitive." "The City of Boston and all its various departments have been instrumental in the successful launch and growth of our company," said Travis Lee, Co-Founder, Dorchester Brewing Company. "Mayor Walsh has clearly brought a new level of energy, excitement and commitment to Boston's small business community. It has been a privilege to do business in this great city." The recently completed Image Boston 2030, Boston's first city-wide plan in over 50 years, prioritizes the "preservation and enhancement of critical industrial uses," and identifies ways that Boston can develop an advanced manufacturing ecosystem, including investments in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park's power systems, Readville's transportation connections, and programs focused on advanced manufacturing and other twenty-first-century industrial jobs. About the Mayor's Office of Economic Development The Economic Development Cabinet's mission is to make Boston an appealing and accessible place for working families, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors to innovate, grow, and thrive in a way that fosters inclusion, broadens opportunity, and shares prosperity, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all Bostonians and the experience for all visitors. Learn more on their website.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES MAUREEN FLYNN TO LEAD CITY OF BOSTON'S HOME CENTER

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES MAUREEN FLYNN TO LEAD CITY OF BOSTON'S HOME CENTER Flynn to help execute City's housing plan; establish increased homeownership opportunities for homebuyers in Boston

BOSTON - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the appointment of West Roxbury resident Maureen Flynn as Deputy Director for Homeownership Programs.   In this position, Flynn will oversee the management and operations of the Boston Home Center, which plays a significant role in the execution of the City's housing policy, helping Bostonians obtain, retain, and maintain their homes. "In today's housing market, it's especially critical to ensure that Boston's middle class has access to homeownership opportunities in the City of Boston," Mayor Walsh said. "As our City grows, the success of middle class homeowners is crucial, and Maureen's long history in the housing, finance, and community development space will be key to the success of the Boston Home Center and the people it helps." In her new position, Flynn will report to Sheila Dillon, Mayor Walsh's Chief of Housing, and will be responsible for oversight of the Boston Home Center, which is housed within the Department of Neighborhood Development. The Boston Home Center is charged with creating programs to help Boston homebuyers buy a home in Boston, and assisting existing homeowners with maintenance issues in their homes. These programs include first-time homebuyer education; down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers; lead paint abatement for housing units in Boston; and home repair programs for senior citizens. The Boston Home Center also oversees City programs that assist homeowners with avoiding foreclosure, and works to enhance the City's relationships with banks, mortgage companies, and non-profits to promote City programs and coordinate homeownership opportunities. "For my entire career, I've been lucky to be able to help public agencies and non-profits to address housing and community development issues, and I hope my experience in the financial sector will help more Bostonians be able to achieve the dream of homeownership," Flynn said. "I'm grateful to Mayor Walsh and Chief Dillon for the opportunity to return to the City, where the work of the Boston Home Center directly impacts so many Bostonians every day. As the Mayor says, anyone who wants to make Boston a better place to live should be able to afford to live here, and I couldn't be more excited to get to work to make that vision a reality." Prior to coming to the Department of Neighborhood Development, Flynn served as the Executive Director for the Coalition for Occupied Homes in Foreclosure (COHIF). As the first executive director of this start-up non-profit, she helped create and manage the Greater Four Corners Pilot Project, which included the purchase, rehabilitation, and long-term management of occupied foreclosed properties. In addition, she advocated for changes in federal policy to minimize displacement for former homeowners and tenants in foreclosed properties. Before her work at COHIF, she was General Counsel for the Housing and Economic Development Secretariat for former MA Governor Deval Patrick, and also served as Special Counsel to the secretariat. In that position, she drafted several provisions of the administration's Economic Development Act, including a new housing tax credit for gateway cities, and also helped to coordinate the state's response to the foreclosure crisis.    Prior to joining the executive office, Flynn was the Deputy Director of the MA Association of CDCs and wrote the state's omnibus foreclosure law and expiring use law. She had previously worked at the Buffalo Urban League and Western New York Law Center where she developed a multi-dimensional foreclosure prevention project. She also worked for the City of Boston in various capacities for eight years. Flynn received her MPA from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard in 1995 and her law degree from SUNY at Buffalo in 2000; she is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and New York.   Flynn will start her new position on October 16th.

賴銘琪善經營 大波士頓5市宣佈10月10日為中華民國日

波士頓經文處長賴銘琪，雲雯蓁夫婦為雙十國慶切蛋糕。(經文處提供)

                      (Boston Orange) 波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處於10月4日晚7時在波士頓費爾蒙卡普利廣場酒店(The Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel)舉行「慶祝中華民國建國106年國慶酒會」，由賴銘琪處長夫婦主持。紐英崙地區政要、駐波士頓領事團成員、僑界領袖、學人及留學生等共七百餘人出席，會場冠蓋雲集、賀客盈門，酒會儀式莊嚴隆重。麻州波士頓市、牛頓市、羅德島州中瀑市(Central falls) 、克蘭斯頓市(Cranston)及普塔吉市（Pawtucket) 均宣布10月10日為中華民國日(ROC Day) 。

波士頓經文處長賴銘琪，雲雯蓁夫婦透露，今年將是最後一次
在波士頓主持雙十慶典。(謝開明攝)

                  國慶酒會儀式在全體出席貴賓高聲合唱美國及中華民國國歌中揭開序幕，賴處長首先帶領全體賓客為日前拉斯維加斯槍擊案罹難者默哀，嗣致詞表示，回顧2014年抵任至今，新英格蘭地區共有38位州參眾議員、19位政府官員、5位聯邦國會議員選區主任，以及114位學者造訪臺灣，另曾接待國內174個訪團、超過千人訪問波士頓。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪夫婦(中)和高爾夫球友李台
夫婦(右)，林展輝夫婦(左)合影留念。(蔡高進提供)

        106年前，國父孫中山先生領導革命創建亞洲第一個民主共和國，今日中華民國在臺灣持續作為希望燈塔以及世界華人典範。此外，臺灣人民在2016年選出史上第一位女總統，蔡英文總統致力維繫臺灣民主、提升經濟發展以及促進與美國長久情誼。而在今年5月臺灣司法院大法官釋憲，支持同性婚姻合法化，更為亞洲首例。臺灣民主蓬勃發展乃是世界級典範。

                賴處長續表示，臺灣是美國第10大貿易夥伴，而美國是臺灣第2大貿易夥伴。雙方2016年貿易額高達660億美元，等同為美國創造約32萬9千8百個就業機會。美國為臺灣第2大貿易投資國，投資金額超過240億美元。

左起，林展輝夫婦，波士頓經文處長賴銘琪夫婦，李台夫婦，以及
新英格蘭台灣商會正副會長歐陽露，林海倫。(蔡高進提供)

             另臺灣與麻州自2016年3月洽簽駕照互換協定，截至本年9月已有900餘件臺灣駕照免試申獲麻州駕照案例，而持憑美國駕照在臺申換駕照者，亦超過兩千人。

             賴處長結語時感謝各界出席我國慶酒會，並祝中美兩國邦誼永固。

             隨後，羅德島州眾議會副議長Brian Kennedy、州眾議員Carlos Tobon、新罕布夏州眾議員Benjamin Baroody、麻州眾議會多數黨領袖Ronald Mariano、參議會代議長Marc Pocheco、紐英崙中華總會會長陳毓禮及紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊等政要及僑領分別致詞慶賀我建國106年，酒會在全體與會貴賓舉杯共祝「中華民國國運昌隆、中美兩國友誼長存」及切蛋糕儀式中進入高潮。

蔡高進夫婦與波士頓僑領陳毓璇。

           為呈現臺灣特色與對傳統文化的重視，以及本轄政要對中華民國及駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處的支持，酒會現場除懸掛中英文國慶橫幅並設置大型螢幕播放國慶文宣影片「活力臺灣，躍昇國際」外，展示廳並提供臺灣菸酒公司荔枝酒展示與試飲，以及捏麵人、燈籠紙雕與彩繪等傳統技藝；另並展出聯邦與地方政要賀詞及友我決議文以及「臺灣畫境」照片等，動靜展示均獲賓客熱烈迴響。(波士頓經文處提供)

雙十酒會會場。

陳毓禮致詞。

麻州企業發展署副署長范文南(左)和波士頓經文處副處長陳銘俊
夫婦(中)合影。(圖片來源:臉書)

TREASURER GOLDBERG ELECTED NAST SECRETARY-TREASURER

TREASURER GOLDBERG ELECTED NAST SECRETARY-TREASURER

The National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) has elected Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg to serve as the organization’s Secretary-Treasurer for 2018. Goldberg received non-partisan confirmation from her peers to the one-year post at the recent NAST Annual Conference in Boston.

“I am honored to be elected Secretary-Treasurer of NAST,” said Treasurer Goldberg. “I am proud to work with my fellow Treasurers and the professionals who dedicate themselves to advancing sound financial policies and programs that benefit all our country’s citizens.”

Prior to her election to this leadership role, Goldberg held the position of Eastern Region Vice President. She will continue to serve as Vice Chair of NAST’s Long Range Planning Committee, as well as a member the Executive Committee, the Taxation Committee, and the Financial Education and Empowerment Committee.

“Congratulations to Treasurer Goldberg on her recent election. I look forward to serving with her as we move forward to address the important issues facing our respective States,” said State Treasurer Beth Pearce of Vermont. Pearce will serve as the President of NAST for 2018.

NAST is an organization dedicated to helping the nation's financial leaders pursue and implement sound financial policies benefiting the citizens of the nation. Membership is composed of all state treasurers or state finance officials with comparable responsibilities throughout the United States.

A businesswoman, local official and community leader, Goldberg was elected state treasurer in 2014 on a platform to protect taxpayer dollars, bring new levels of transparency to state government and advance policies that break down barriers and create economic empowerment.

麻州總檢察官提醒大專院校移民學生的權益

AG HEALEY ISSUES ADVISORY TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ON RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANT STUDENTS ON CAMPUS

BOSTON – Following inquiries about the impact of federal immigration policies and executive orders on immigrant students at institutions of higher education, Attorney General Maura Healey today issued an advisory to public and private colleges and universities in Massachusetts on issues that may affect immigrant students. 

The advisory addresses questions and concerns, including ways to support immigrant students on campus, a potential increase of on-campus detention and deportation enforcement activities by federal immigration officers, and the ability of schools to protect information about students’ immigration status. 

                        

“Each year, thousands of dreamers and immigrant students graduate from high school and want to further their education,” AG Healey said. “Massachusetts schools should be safe places for learning. With this advisory, we hope to clarify the rights of students and public and private college and university officials so that all students can feel welcome on campus.”

“Attorney General Healey has been a forceful advocate and a great resource for Massachusetts students and colleges,” said Richard Doherty, President of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts. “Her early leadership in opposition to the initial travel ban, her work to protect DACA enrollees, her actions against predatory for-profit colleges and today’s guidance are all greatly appreciated by the higher education community.”

This follows an advisory the AG’s Office sent earlier this year reminding local public school districts of their obligation under state and federal law to provide all students with equal access to primary and secondary education, as well as guidance issued to health care providers and local public school districts on immigration enforcement and requests for information from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Today’s advisory specifically addresses policies affecting students who are grantees of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), undocumented, and those who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Under its current policies, ICE does not generally conduct enforcement activities such as surveillance, interviews, searches and arrests, at certain “sensitive locations,” which includes institutions of higher education (IHEs).

While the AG’s Office has no current information indicating that ICE will formally change its “sensitive location” policies, today’s advisory provides information to colleges and universities about developing protocols to use in the event that immigration officers request access to campus or seek to interview or take custody of a student, as well as proactive policies schools can adopt to support immigrant students.

The advisory also provides information about requests for information from ICE, and what protections are granted by federal privacy law and proactive steps that IHEs can take to protect students’ immigration information.

高丹尼參選國會議員 一個月籌款80萬5000元

高丹尼(Dan Koh)。(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 整理報導) 才宣佈參選國會議員妮基桑加(Niki Tsongas)的席位一個月，現年32歲的波士頓市長幕僚長高丹尼(Daniel Koh)已募得經費80萬50000元，聲勢震人。

麻州第3區國會議員妮基桑加已宣佈退休，不再競選連任，她空出來的席位在民主黨內已吸引不下五人跳進選戰。高丹尼之外，還有麻州參議員Barbara A. L’Italien和Eileen M. Donoghue，劍橋市議員Nadeem A. Mazen，以及前任國會議員Marty Meehan 的助理Lori A. Trahan。

高丹尼在這麼短時間內能籌得這麼高的競選經費，已使他成為民主黨候選人中民列前茅的重量級參選者。他的正式籌款報告，要10月15號才到繳交期，其中有5萬元是他自掏腰包的經費。

曾任民主黨國會競選委員會高層的民主黨顧問Jesse Ferguson 表示，那麼早就籌款有成，證明了高丹尼擁有足夠資源在接下來的日子裏和選民溝通，也證明高丹尼已得到足夠支持。

高丹尼目前是波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)的幕僚長，和好幾個富裕圈有良好關係。他是安多幅菲利浦學校(Phillips Academy Andover)，哈佛大學，哈佛大學商學院等名校的畢業生，當初在赫芬頓報(Huffington)工作時和創辦人Arianna Huffington合作密切，然後在擔任波士頓市長幕僚長期間，波士頓的業界及金融界鉅子也都熟知了他是誰。

從籌募競選經費的角度看，高丹尼在那麼短時間內籌得那麼多錢，都讓他令人刮目相看。2013年9月，有3個哈佛學位，曾在海軍服務的國會議員Seth W. Moulton，為挑戰當時的國會議員 John F. Tierney，在民主黨的黨內初選期間，籌得30萬元。他也和富裕圈聯繫緊密。

甘迺迪家族的政治幼苗，約瑟夫甘迺迪三世(Joe Kennedy III)在2012年參選國會議員時，正式宣布參選後，籌得的款項大約為50萬元。

根據選舉法，在每一次的選舉中，個人捐款額最高2,700元，所以初選加大選，可捐5,400元。高丹尼籌得的80萬5000元，全數註明是供初選用的經費。

 高丹尼的父親，韓裔後代高京柱(Howard Koh)，曾任美國助理衛生部部長，現為哈佛大學陳曾熙公衛學院及甘迺迪政府學院教授。他的母親Claudia A. Arrigg是眼科醫生，也是羅倫斯Arrigg眼耳診所合夥人，祖籍黎巴嫩。去年六月，他才和哈佛商管學院同學，現為Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr律師樓律師的Amy Sennett結婚。 他為參選這第3區國會議員席位，最近才搬回他生長的地方，和數名在地的重量級民主黨政治人物角逐。

國會議員第3區的範圍，包括從哈佛希爾(Haverhill)到溫辰頓(Winchendon)，沿著新罕布夏州邊界的土地，向南則到馬柏洛夫(Marlborough)及赫德遜(Hudson)。

妮基桑加的這席位，共和黨也有人參選，目前是上周宣佈參選的Pepperell汽車零件公司高管，Rich Green。

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $13 MILLION IN CLASSROOM FURNITURE UPGRADES FOR BPS SCHOOLS THROUGH BUILDBPS INVESTMENT

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $13 MILLION IN CLASSROOM FURNITURE UPGRADES FOR BPS SCHOOLS THROUGH BUILDBPS INVESTMENT

BuildBPS' fund will equip schools with resources and tools to foster 21st century learning

BOSTON - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the first expenditures of his $1 billion BuildBPS initiative, a collective $13 million investment in every Boston Public Schools (BPS) building to provide immediate, tangible, short-term capital investments for the current school year. First announced by Mayor Walsh at the Boston Municipal Research Bureau, the funding is made available through the 21st Century Schools Fund, part of the BuildBPS 10-Year Educational and Facilities Master Plan, and will create more flexible learning spaces with comfortable, movable furniture and digital screens. "This immediate investment allows our schools to adapt to the ever-changing needs of 21st century teaching and learning," said Mayor Walsh. "As we prepare students to be competitive in the global economy, it is important that our instructional spaces are designed for innovation and collaboration." Every school in the district will receive an allocation from the fund. Principals and Headmasters provided input on the types of investments needed and had an opportunity to preview new classroom furniture in professional development sessions before the start of the new school year. They now will work with School Site Councils to select from a menu of items, including: adjustable desks that can be used for large groups, small teams, or individual learning; ergonomic chairs and stools; portable teacher lecterns; and movable storage units to encourage flexible learning environments. "The School Committee is appreciative of the work the BuildBPS team has done in thoroughly researching and understanding the needs of our schools," said Boston School Committee Chairperson Michael O'Neill. "This investment is another step toward ensuring our students and teachers have the tools they need to succeed." BPS Superintendent Tommy Chang said the investment will help transform classrooms into more interactive settings rather than relying on the centuries-old approach of teachers facing students seated in rows of stationary desks. "Innovative instruction is all about teaching in a variety of styles," Dr. Chang said. "The 21st Century Schools Fund provides teachers greater flexibility to meet the needs of all students in classrooms equipped for interaction and creativity." School allocations for the 21st Century Schools Fund were determined using a formula designed to ensure equitable distribution based on each school's enrollment, furniture condition, and level of student need. The final formula designates a base amount of $100 per student. That $100 was then multiplied by a multiplier based on each school's "furniture score" from the Learning Environment portion of the BuildBPS facility assessments, adding greater weight to schools with furniture in poor condition. Lastly, that total was multiplied by the number of weighted students at each school, leading to each school's total allocation. School leaders applauded the investments, including Walter Henderson, principal of the Mattapan Early Elementary School, a new school serving pre-K through grade 1 with programming focused on the Haitian-American community and trauma-sensitive practices. "As we open a new school, we are excited that our facility investments will create a fun learning environment for our students and allow us the flexibility to meet their individual needs," Henderson said. Traci Walker Griffith, principal of the Eliot K-8 Innovation School in the North End, recently received tables of alternating heights and movable desks that "nest" within one another, among other items. "We always say our classrooms have looked the same for the past 200 years. However, this is truly an opportunity to re-think how we design learning spaces with students always being at the center," said Walker Griffith. "Having different configurations in the classroom helps teachers facilitate learning while allowing students of all abilities the opportunity to learn in pairs, small groups, or a large group." In March, Mayor Walsh announced that BuildBPS will invest $1 billion over the next decade in school building construction, renovation, expansion, and repair projects. The City's Public Facilities Department and BPS Facilities Department have already invested in various BuildBPS projects including: Seven schools across the city received 3,000 new windows, and five schools received new roofs and boilers through Accelerated Repair Projects, funded in partnership with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), totaling nearly $39 million. Construction continued on the new $73 million Dearborn 6-12 STEM Academy near Dudley Square in Roxbury, scheduled to open in September 2018. After completing the successful major renovation of the Eliot School's North Bennett Street location in the North End, the City launched the $20 million second phase of the project for the Eliot Upper School on Commercial Street. The second phase of renovation for Another Course to College, in the former E. Greenwood building in Hyde Park, also began this summer. BuildBPS helped inform the final Imagine Boston 2030 plan, Boston's first citywide plan in over 50 years. Imagine Boston 2030 is a comprehensive vision to boost quality of life, equity and resilience in every neighborhood across the city. Both plans lay out a strategic framework to provide 21st century learning experiences and facilities for students. Today's announcement marks progress being made towards these goals. For more information on BuildBPS, please click here or visit the BuildBPS dashboard, a web-based data visualization tool.

朱雲漢與台大社科院代表團訪波交流

波士頓經文處長賴銘琪((左二)宴請台大社科院張佑宗副院長(左一起)、
台大政治系朱雲漢教授、台大政治系黃旻華教授。(經文處堤共)

(麻州訊)賴銘琪處長夫婦10月1日晚間款宴由台大政治系朱雲漢教授與台大社科院副院長兼政治系主任張佑宗教授所率領的訪問團。該團團員共計17名，涵蓋台大政治系、經濟系、國家發展研究所、東亞民主研究中心、中研院政治所及清華大學等臺灣知名學術機構。

賴處長致詞表示，能以台大政治系友身分在波士頓接待訪問團，尤其見到朱雲漢教授及多位政治系友，備感溫馨，歡迎國內學者常來此與本地知名學府進行交流。

朱雲漢教授代表訪問團感謝賴處長夫婦接待，續稱此行率領國內年輕精銳學者在哈佛大學舉辦兩場學術研討會，並以台大「東亞民主研究計畫」為基礎，發表相關研究成果。哈佛大學執全球學界牛耳，我國內青年學者能有機會來此交流觀摩，難能可貴。

該團於9月28日至10月3日訪問波士頓，並就東亞與中國大陸政治研究等議題與哈佛大學政府學系、費正清中心與亞洲中心等進行討論，成果豐碩。(波士頓經文處提供)