波士頓北一女校友吹汽球，嗑瓜子 夏日同樂

波士頓北一女校友會夏日郊遊合影。(周菊子設)

波士頓北一女校友們合影。(周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子艾克頓鎮報導)波士頓北一女校友會七月十三日在艾克頓鎮(Acton)的Nara公園野餐，七、八十名校友與家人，在藍天白雲綠草原，明媚陽光好天氣之中，閒話家常，交流敘舊，還歡迎3名第一次出席的校友，為剛好當天生日的校友龍熙平唱生日快樂歌。

波士頓北一女校友會本屆幹部合影。後排左起，林遊嵐，吳萍萍，
會長李欣，前任會長江佩蓉，饒雨涵，許聰玲，龍熙平，前排右起，
李建，林麗珠，李以惠，張冕。(周菊子攝)

               波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉當天應邀出席，利用機會頒發僑委會謝函，表揚狀給前任會長江佩蓉，現任會長李欣。波士頓經文處處長徐佑典因接待到訪的總統府祕書長陳菊，未克出席。

               會長李欣和本屆幹事吳萍萍、李建、林麗珠，龍熙平、李以蕙，張冕、林遊嵐、施粲粲，饒雨涵，甫卸任的前會長江佩蓉，以及幹事們的先生等等，很早就開始分工合作，從採購餐點，辦理登記，安排餘興節目，現場布置，指派專人拍照，花了不少心思與力氣，連會場內的每張桌子，都鋪上了象徵北一女的綠色桌布。

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(右起)頒發表揚狀給波士頓北一女校友會
會長李欣，前會長江佩蓉。(周菊子攝)

               李欣還特地點名感謝許聰玲，雖然已卸任幹部職務，照樣幫忙打點許多事，三，四月時就預定活動場地，還製作校友名牌。

               這天有龍熙平，許聰玲，田禾等至少三名校友，攜家帶眷的三代同堂，或是孫輩帶到會場，天倫之樂，羨煞不少人。三名第一次出席的校友，是輾轉口耳相傳後，才聯袂來參加的。原來是施粲粲告訴忠班同學邵婉如，然後邵婉如告訴她的台大醫學院同班同學，高中念恭班的蔡璐璐，然後蔡璐璐又告訴住在費城，正好來波士頓探望女兒的恭班同學林晨暉，於是一個帶一個，這場校友聚會也就更熱鬧了。

右起，邵婉如，蔡璐璐，張冕，王凌雲，邱西薔參加吹汽球比賽，
看誰吹得最大。(周菊子攝)

               李欣開心的說，希望校友們以後多把配偶、子女，孫子女都帶來，把身邊的校友都找出來，可就人多更歡樂了。

               這次的北一女校友夏日郊遊，餘興節目有吳萍萍安排的吹氣球，嗑瓜子遊戲，唱卡拉OK，江佩蓉帶跳排舞(line dance)。

               吹氣球遊戲有邱西薔，王凌雲，張冕，蔡璐璐，邵婉如參加，由張冕贏得冠軍。嗑瓜子比賽的五名參賽者中，范美蓉和潘安母女上陣競比。有趣的是，南瓜子似乎不容易嗑，遊戲要求嗑20顆瓜子，楊哲修計時了將近3分鐘，都還沒人嗑完。

左起，吳萍萍主持嗑瓜子比賽。(周菊子攝)

               這天收穫最多的應該是校友家屬賴政宏。目前擔任慈濟人文靜思學校校長的他，在郊遊活動中認識了內科醫生袁春生，從波士頓市公校外語部主任一職退休的林遊嵐，找不到足夠醫生辦義診，想找更好方法把家長培訓成教正體中文老師的這困惱他許久的兩大難題，一下子都有了解決途徑。

               波士頓北一女校友會的下一場大活動，將是年底的年會。查詢該會活動，可上臉書專業https://www.facebook.com/BEINUBoston/。

創會會長趙小怡，第二任會長吳國志，現任會長李欣，以及吳萍萍，
張冕。(周菊子攝)

龍熙平(左二)這天生日，和家人同樂。(周菊子攝)

范美蓉，潘克誠，潘安，全家出席，和北一女校友們同樂。(周菊子攝)

從餐館訂了自助餐，好豐盛。(周菊子攝)

  

市長宣佈波士頓7/19-21進入熱浪緊急狀況 氣溫華氏96-102度

MAYOR WALSH DECLARES HEAT EMERGENCY, OPENS BCYF COOLING CENTERS & POOLS TO ALL RESIDENTS

BOSTON - Thursday, July 18, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that in anticipation of the hot and humid weather that is forecasted for this weekend, the City of Boston has declared a heat emergency, beginning Friday at noon through Sunday evening. Temperatures are expected to be between 96 and 102 degrees with a real feel temperature of between mid 90s to 112 degrees.  To help residents stay cool, Mayor Walsh has declared that cooling centers will be open at Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) community centers and residents can swim at the City's pools free of charge. A full list of centers including hours of operation and a brief form to fill out before swimming is available here. Information on heat safety tips can be found online at boston.gov/heat and by following @CityofBoston on Twitter. Residents can sign up for Alert Boston, the City's emergency notification system, to receive emergency alerts by phone, email or text. Sign up online here. Residents are also encouraged to call 311 with any questions about available city services. The Mayor issued the following heat safety tips for all members of the public: Children and pets should never be left alone in vehicles, even for short periods of time. Adults and children should use sunscreen containing an SPF-30 or higher and wear protective, loose-fitting clothing, including hats. Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas and be extra cautious from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the sun's UV radiation is strongest. Keep cool with showers, shade, and ventilation. If you need help finding a place to cool off, call 311. The City of Boston operates outdoor and indoor pools, splash pads and spray decks, and several beaches in Boston at which you can cool off.  Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids regardless of activity level. Avoid alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine. Know the signs of heat exhaustion. Heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin, dizziness, nausea, and muscle aches could all be signs of heat exhaustion. If symptoms persist, call 911 immediately. If you have a child in your home, use child window guards in addition to screens on any open window on the second story or above. Falls are the leading cause of injury for children under the age of six. Secure all window air conditioner units according to the manufacturer's specifications. Please check on neighbors, especially older adults, and people with disabilities. Community partners are encouraged to share information on preparedness, safety, and resources within their networks. Additional tips and resources can be found at boston.gov/heat, including information sheets translated into 10 languages.  Helping the Homeless: If you see homeless individuals out in the heat who appear immobile or disoriented, please call 911. Please ask them if they need assistance. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) operates emergency shelters at 112 Southampton St. and 794 Massachusetts Ave. These facilities are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The City of Boston works closely with a network of shelter providers to ensure there is adequate shelter, food, and a cool respite from the heat. Street outreach teams providing recovery services, including the Engagement Center behind 112 Southampton St., remain operating as normal during summertime weather. Playground Safety:   Children should always wear shoes on playgrounds because surfaces can become extremely hot and cause burns, even splash pads and spray decks. Outdoor Fires and Grilling: No outdoor fires are allowed in Boston, including fire pits, chimineas, and bonfires. Charcoal grills must be on the ground and away from buildings. Keep in mind the wind and never leave unattended. When done, dispose of the ash in a metal container once completely out. Propane tank grills are only allowed on first floor porches with steps to the ground. Do not place propane tank grills near air conditioners or up against a building. Make sure all connections are tight and never carry propane tanks into a home. Grills should always be used in a well-ventilated area. Mosquitoes and Ticks: If you are in a grassy or wooded area, apply a DEET containing repellent that will protect against mosquitoes AND ticks. Always check yourself, children, and pets for ticks after returning indoors and remove attached ticks immediately using tweezers. Mosquito bites can spread West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), while attached ticks can spread Lyme disease. Limit your time outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active and apply an approved mosquito repellent.

JACKPOT OF $250,000 GUARANTEED FOR RED SOX FOUNDATION’S 50/50 RAFFLE DURING UPCOMING RED SOX-YANKEES SERIES

JACKPOT OF $250,000 GUARANTEED

FOR RED SOX FOUNDATION’S 50/50 RAFFLE

DURING UPCOMING RED SOX-YANKEES SERIES

One Fan Will Win Half the Jackpot;

Remaining Proceeds to Benefit the Red Sox Foundation’s Home Base Program

BOSTON, MA – To celebrate 10 successful years of the Home Base Program and the 10^th Annual Run To Home Base event at Fenway Park, the Red Sox Foundation, in partnership with Ascend Fundraising Solutions, is guaranteeing a $250,000 jackpot for the 50/50 Raffle taking place during the upcoming Red Sox-Yankees series.

Fans will have a chance to purchase raffle tickets over a 9-day period online atredsox.com/5050 from July 19-27. Fans attending the Red Sox-Yankees series taking place July 25-27 will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets at Fenway Park. The raffle will close at the end of the 6^th inning of the July 27 game, and a single winning number for the entire 9-day raffle will be posted online in the middle of the 7^th inning of that game. 

The 50/50 Raffle is a fundraising tool for the Foundation and is available during every Red Sox home game at the ballpark, as well as online for fans located in Massachusetts. Half the net proceeds generated from the raffle go to the winning ticket holder. The other half goes to the Red Sox Foundation to support their charitable programs, partners, and grants programs. A portion of the proceeds from the $250,000 jackpot will directly benefit Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital program serving veterans suffering from PTSD and other invisible wounds of war.

In addition to being available online and at the ballpark during the Yankees Series games, raffle tickets may be purchased in person at Fenway Park on July 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from July 22-26 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Red Sox Foundation offices located at 4 Jersey Street.

To participate, fans must be in the State of Massachusetts and at least eighteen (18) years of age. Please see official rules for full details.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES INNOVATIVE NEW MORTGAGE PROGRAM FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES INNOVATIVE NEW MORTGAGE PROGRAM FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS

ONE+Boston Mortgage permanently reduces interest rate in partnership with the City of Boston and housing advocates  BOSTON - Friday, July 19, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh yesterday announced the City of Boston has finalized details for an enhanced mortgage program for first-time homebuyers. This project represents the culmination of efforts by Mayor Walsh's Barriers to Homeownership Working Group, which works to create more homeownership opportunities for low- and middle-income families and families of color. The ONE+Boston mortgage product will be offered by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) and was supported by the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA) and Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO), long-time advocates for innovative and creative programs that address need and remove barriers.  "The ONE+Boston Mortgage will expand the purchasing power for Bostonians interested in becoming first-time homebuyers. This is a great use of Community Preservation funds and an investment in Boston's future that strengthens homeownership and gives residents a chance to buy a home in the neighborhoods they love," said Mayor Walsh. "I commend the Barriers to Homeownership Working Group, MAHA and GBIO for their leadership and advocacy in creating this product, and thank MHP and the participating lenders for their partnership and commitment to innovation in the mortgage marketplace." The new ONE+Boston mortgage will utilize $3.8 million in Community Preservation funds previously announced this spring. These City of Boston funds generated from the Community Preservation Act will finance a permanent reduction in the interest rate of a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for income-eligible Bostonians buying their first home within the city limits. This interest-rate reduction means the new homebuyer could afford a larger mortgage at a monthly payment that is still affordable to them, and ultimately, translates into more buying power for the new homebuyer.  "Our homebuyer graduates need good news and this new program certainly qualifies," said Symone Crawford, Mattapan resident and director of Homeownership Education at MAHA. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Mayor Walsh and his housing team, MHP, and participating lenders to assist more first-time homebuyers in Boston's neighborhoods. For nearly 30 years, ONE Mortgage has done more to close the racial homeownership gap, and with this important enhancement, we can do even more."   ONE+Boston will enhance Massachusetts Housing Partnership's (MHP's) ONE Mortgage Program for first-time homebuyers earning less than 100% of Area Median Income (AMI), or $90,000 for a two-person household, to permanently buy-down interest rates. This interest rate write down may be combined with additional financial assistance from the City of Boston through the Boston Home Center. Homes purchased through this mortgage product may be market-rate, or income-restricted. The total amount a borrower can receive between the write down and BHC downpayment/closing cost assistance is $50,000.  "Thanks to the City of Boston's leadership, ONE+Boston will substantially expand the impact of the ONE Mortgage Program, which has enjoyed strong support from the Baker-Polito administration and has helped more than 5,000 families become successful first-time homeowners in the City of Boston," said Clark Ziegler, executive director of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), the quasi-public organization that helped create and administers ONE Mortgage. "The ONE Mortgage Program has been an incredibly impactful lending program for the community, empowering thousands of Massachusetts residents to purchase a place to call home," said Nancy Monbouquette, Vice President and Home Mortgage New England regional manager at Citizens Bank, a ONE+Boston participating lender. "We are pleased to continue working with such outstanding organizations like the City of Boston, Massachusetts Housing Partnership and Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance. Through these partnerships and this innovative expansion of the ONE Mortgage Program, we will be able to help even more Bostonians reach their homeownership goals." The ONE+Boston mortgage product will be available at Citizens Bank, the City of Boston Credit Union, Eastern Bank, Rockland Trust, Boston Private Bank, Cambridge Trust, and Santander Bank beginning this fall. These seven lenders are the top current ONE lenders in Boston, and routinely work with Boston Home Center first-time homebuyers, often utilizing MHP's ONE Mortgage. The demonstration project will likely be scaled up to include other lenders in the future.  ABOUT HOUSING A CHANGING CITY: BOSTON 2030 In 2018, Mayor Martin J. Walsh updated his comprehensive housing strategy,  Housing A Changing City: Boston 2030 to increase the City's overall housing goal to 69,000 new units by 2030, to meet Boston's faster than expected population growth. These 69,000 new units include 15,820 new income-restricted units, which would elevate Boston's income-restricted inventory total to 70,000, or one in five of all housing units. In addition, the 2018 Update set a goal to preserve 85 percent of Boston's most at-risk privately-owned affordable units, to purchase 1,000 units of rental housing stock from the speculative market and income-restrict it for perpetuity, and to help 5,000 Bostonians become first time homebuyers.  ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT (CPA) After Boston voters adopted the CPA in November 2016, the City created a Community Preservation Fund. This fund is capitalized primarily by a one percent property tax-based surcharge on residential and business property tax bills that began in July 2017. The City uses this revenue to fund initiatives consistent with statewide CPA guidelines: affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space and public recreation. The funding of any project requires a recommendation from the Community Preservation Committee and appropriation by the City. For more information, please visit the Community Preservation webpage.

MAYOR WALSH AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECT $1.2 MILLION TO ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION AND CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR BOSTON YOUTH

MAYOR WALSH AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECT $1.2 MILLION TO ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION AND CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR BOSTON YOUTH

BOSTON - Thursday, July 18, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (OWD) today announced a $1.2 million investment in alternative education, career exploration, and career training programs that will open doors to economic opportunity for Boston's young people. The funds, which come to the City through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), will support eight local nonprofit organizations that serve young people ages 14-24 with an emphasis on those who have experienced challenges such as homelessness, poverty, court involvement, or physical or mental disability. "Boston's young people represent Boston's talent and future, and creating more opportunities for them is one of the most worthwhile investments we can make," said Mayor Walsh. "Our City is fortunate to have key community organizations with on-the-ground expertise to guide our young people along to ensure they receive every opportunity possible. They are crucial partners in our work to ensure that every resident, of every age, can pursue their full potential."  "Under Mayor Walsh's leadership, the City has made major investments in the transition from youth to adulthood and financial independence for the young people of our neighborhoods. It is so important to provide opportunities for such a broad spectrum of youth and young adults," said Michael O'Neill, Chair of the Youth Council of Boston's MassHire Workforce Board, which approves WIOA spending, and a member of the Boston Public School Committee.      The funded programs, which are expected to serve more than 170 young people from July 2019-June 2020, represent a diversity of neighborhoods and program models.  College Bound Dorchester, for example, engages court-involved youth in skills-based apprenticeships at a Seaport boat shop. Another recipient, More Than Words, teaches career readiness within the context of a youth-run bookselling business in the South End. Work experiences such as these can have a profound impact on a variety of life outcomes. A recent report commissioned by OWD found that youth participating in Boston's summer jobs program showed a 35 percent decrease in violent crime arraignments and a 57 percent decrease in property crime arraignments relative to a control group. These participants also had fewer unexcused absences at school. All of the funded programs will help youth advance along defined pathways toward individualized goals. For example, a young person might progress from a first-time work experience to a higher-paying job, or from a completed high school degree to an industry certificate or higher education. Along the way, youth will also receive support with personal challenges that have hindered their success in the past. Yiovani Castillo, 21, of Brighton is one of many young people who have benefited from this life-changing support. When Castillo came to X-Cel Education to finish his high school education, he was earning minimum wage at a grocery store and caring for his five siblings. "It's hard to be a brother and a father at the same time, plus trying to work and finish up school. Here [at X-Cel] I had people to support me educationally, emotionally, mentally - even with things going on outside the program," said Castillo.    Through the program Castillo not only earned his high school credentials, but also completed two internships. He is now training to become a certified wastewater operator with a national construction engineering company. Recipient organizations were selected through an open and competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process overseen by OWD and the  Boston Private Industry Council. A review committee evaluated the proposals based on applicants' ability to produce long-term outcomes in career readiness. In addition to the eight nonprofits, funds will be allocated for skills assessment testing, and, new this year, the creation of an online directory that organizations can use to locate additional support services - ranging from financial literacy to housing assistance - for the youth they serve.  Organization Program Funding Focus Action for Boston Community Development University High School $433,893 Students who struggled in traditional schools work toward their Boston Public School diploma Action for Boston Community Development Career Explorations Youth train in culinary arts, early childhood education, health care Asian American Civic Association Hire Values Youth Center $72,702 Out-of-school youth train in medical office support, building maintenance, retail banking & finance El Centro del Cardenal Youth Education Program $91,651 Latinx youth receive bilingual instruction to prepare for the high school equivalency exam College Board Dorchester College Connections Marine Apprenticeship Pathway $101,634 Court-involved youth complete HiSET while working in a marine setting East Boston Neighborhood Health Center Health Career Pathways & Nursing Assistant Training $76,376 Youth learn about healthcare careers in preparation for personal care assistant training EDCO Youth Alternative Alternative High School Program $204,849 Youth work toward their high school diploma More Than Words Boston Special Enterprise $112,555 Youth gain job skills by running a book-selling business X-Cel Education Pathways to Careers Initiative  $83,847 Youth prepare for the high school equivalency exam Boston Youth Services Directory & CASAS testing $25,475 Programs connect other youth services, get pre- and post-program assessment tools TOTAL $1,202,981

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Four High Schools Designation for New Innovation Pathways

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Four High Schools Designation for New Innovation Pathways

Students in career pathways gain knowledge and skills through internships and college courses

BOSTON – Agawam, Atlantis Charter School in Fall River, Brockton and Burlington high schools will launch new Innovation Pathway programs this fall to give students skills and experience in particular industries through college courses and internships after recently receiving official designation status from the Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education and Higher Education, the Baker-Polito Administration announced today.

More than 1,000 students are expected to be enrolled in these college and career pathways when the new programs are fully enrolled. Twenty-five high schools in the Commonwealth now have Innovation Pathway programs designated by the state.

Launched in 2017, Innovation Pathways give students experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, life sciences and advanced manufacturing, through coursework and internships at local area employers. Students earn college credits, at no cost to them, and gain insight as to whether the field is something they want to pursue in college or as a career.

“Innovation Pathways provide students with important additional knowledge and direction so they are prepared to pursue careers in high-demand industries in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration is very thankful to the high school administrators who are doing the hard work to launch these new career pathways so students in the Commonwealth are better prepared for success after graduation.” 

“Innovation Pathways also create strong partnerships with employers to expose students to career options and help them develop knowledge and skills related to their chosen field of study before they graduate high school,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “Governor Baker and I hope exposure to STEM subjects through these newly named programs will inspire students to further their studies and move toward growing careers in Massachusetts.”

The Governor’s education funding legislation, An Act to Promote Equity and Excellence in Education, proposed a new enrollment category that will provide additional funding for high schools that implement Early College and Career Pathway programs. The bill - still under consideration by the Legislature - would create a dependable revenue stream as part of a school district’s Chapter 70 aid for every student enrolled. Currently there are approximately 2,400 students enrolled in early college and career pathway programs.

“These new pathways will help address one of the Commonwealth’s biggest challenges in education – making sure students are prepared for college and careers,” Education Secretary James Peyser said. “Innovation Pathways, and its sister program early college, give students real experience in college and the workplace while they are still in high school, which is critical to ensure their future success.”

“I am happy to see more schools offer students the chance to explore subjects first-hand both in internships and through college courses,” Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley said. “These opportunities put students on a solid path to future possibilities.”

“I see this as an excellent opportunity for experiential learning,” said Carlos E. Santiago, Massachusetts Commissioner of High Education. “We know that training and retraining will be part of students’ futures and an ongoing part of their adult lives, so the more opportunities they have to ‘learn how to learn’ in both academic and work-based settings, the better.”

Four high schools received official designation for new Innovation Pathway programs:

Agawam High School – Agawam, MA          

Agawam High School is launching an Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Pathway that will serve 466 students when fully enrolled. The school is partnering with the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board and multiple employer partners, including the Western Mass. Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association, Peerless Precision, Governor's America Corporation, Mechanical Plastics, OMG Roofing Products, Ben Franklin Manufacturing, EBTEC Corporation, and DFF Corporation. Students will take courses at Springfield Technical Community College.

Atlantis Charter School – Fall River, MA

Atlantis Charter School is launching three Innovation Pathways, including Advanced Manufacturing, Business & Finance, and Healthcare & Social Assistance that will serve 368 students when fully enrolled. The school is partnering with the MIT Integrated Design and management Program - SLOAN, the Southcoast Autism Center, and the Centre for Business and Entrepreneurship. Students will study Advanced Placement courses as well as have opportunities for job shadow, internships, and externships.

Brockton High School – Brockton, MA

Brockton High School is launching an Innovation Pathway in Healthcare that will serve 193 students when fully enrolled. The school is partnering with the MassHire Greater Brockton Workforce Board, area employers, and the Forsyth Institute Student Scholars Program. Students will take courses at Massasoit Community College, Bay State College, and Bridgewater State University.

Burlington High School – Burlington, MA

Burlington High School is launching an Innovation Pathway in Information, with a computer science focus, that will serve 88 students when fully enrolled. The school is partnering with the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Amazon Web Services, The MITRE Corporation, and Microsoft, among a number of other area employers.