人生一定要有的八個朋友:
推手(Builder)、
支柱(Champion)、
同好(Collaborator)、
夥伴(Companion)、
中介(Connector)、
開心果(Energizer)、
開路者(Mind Opener)、
導師(Navigator)。
chutze@bostonorange.com
*******************
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BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS WELCOMES NEW STUDENT
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
BOSTON -
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 - Boston Mayor Kim Janey yesterday welcomed
Boston Public Schools (BPS) student Xyra Mercer to City Hall for a
swearing-in ceremony to announce Xyra as the new Student Representative
to the Boston School Committee. Xyra was elected by her peers on the
Boston Student Advisory Council (BSAC).
“I am excited to
welcome Xyra as the newest student representative on the School
Committee, and I’m appreciative of the continued leadership of the Boston
Student Advisory Council,” said Mayor Janey. “As BPS transitions into
five days of in-person learning this week and prepares for a strong
summer of enrichment and opportunities, student voices are going to
remain at the center of all educational conversations. Xyra and her peers
in the BPS community will play a critical role in shaping our plans now
and moving forward.”
Xyra is currently
a junior at the Dr. William W. Henderson K-12 Inclusion School in
Dorchester, where she is deeply engaged and involved in her school and
her community at large. Xyra is a tour de force at her school, serving as
the captain of the Debate Team, a member of Student Government, a leader
of Vanguards (the Henderson’s women's empowerment group), a member of the
Black Student Union, a voting member of the Henderson Governing Board,
and an active member of the Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Boys & Girls
Club. No stranger to public speaking or leadership roles, in 2019, Xyra
gave a speech to BPS teachers, principals, and district leaders at the
BPS August Leadership Institute.
“I am grateful for
the opportunity that my fellow peers have entrusted me with. As a student
I believe that it is important and necessary for our voices to be heard
in regards to our futures. We should be able to know the changes that are
going to come and be able to also make those changes,” said Xyra.
“Education is the key to the future. Schools provide many students a safe
space, and when sudden changes are made without students' knowledge, that
safe feeling can be violated. That is what I am here for, to include the
students' voices that need to be heard.”
Xyra Mercer was
born and raised in Boston in a Jamaican household. Growing up, she
traveled back and forth between the US and Jamaica while learning about
her Caribbean culture with family and friends. She intends to pursue a
career in education, with the ambition of obtaining a doctorate. She
could also see herself pursuing a career in politics, as she believes
there are many current issues in the country that are not being
addressed. She would like to be a catalyst for change.
“Xyra’s
perspective will be critical as we continue to review all of our policies
and support systems for students,” said BPS Superintendent Brenda
Cassellius. “Our schools are committed to creating joyful and welcoming
learning environments that foster the powerful voices of students like
Xyra. Students have and will continue to be the focus of all that we do.
Incorporating Xyra’s voice into our School Committee will enhance and guide
our most important decisions as they directly correlate to our students.”
“The Boston School
Committee enthusiastically welcomes Xyra as our colleague,” said
Alexandra Oliver-Dávila, Chair of the Boston School Committee. “We have
really important work to do in the next few weeks. I am glad Xyra will be
there to share her experience and represent her fellow students so the
Committee, BPS, and public will have a better understanding of how our
decisions impact students and their families.”
Xyra will serve on
the Boston School Committee for the remainder of the school year and
throughout the 2021-22 school year. Her first School Committee meeting
will be today, Wednesday, April 28.
今晚(4/27)8點,WCVB波士頓第5號電視台將撥出一集「亞美聲音(Asian American Voices)」,邀請麻州眾議員陳德基(Tackey
Chan),正在競選波士頓市長的波士頓市不分區市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu),亞美社區發展協會(ACDC)主任劉安琪,以及曾任全美亞裔律師協會會長,長年關心波士頓華埠的律師李保華來討論亞裔處境。
美國民權顧問委員會麻州分會(The Massachusetts Advisory Committee to the
United States Commission on Civil Rights),也將在5月6日美東時間的下午2點,舉辦一場WebEx:網上會議,https://tinyurl.com/533t9psj,討論社會中的反亞裔仇恨犯罪事件。該會指出,一個仇恨及極端主義中心最近發表的一份報告指出,在2020年內,美國有16個大城市儘管總體仇恨犯罪率降低了7%,反亞裔仇恨犯罪卻增加了150%。該會將在會議中開放各界表達意見。
美國境內從去年三月開始出現”反亞裔仇恨(Anti-Asian Hate)”浪潮。起初亞裔民眾似乎秉持亞裔”沉默是金”的傳統,起初只在網路上輾轉相傳亞裔無故遭遇粗言暴語,甚至暴力襲擊的視頻片段,靜靜提醒各人親友出門小心,直到亞特蘭大槍擊案造成6名亞裔女性死亡,逮捕嫌犯的警察竟然在記者會上說嫌犯那天心情不好(He had a bad day),全美各地亞裔終於忍不住站了出來,上街遊行。不過遊行時的申訴,很是溫文,只說”停止仇恨亞裔(Stop
Asian Hate)。在陸續仍不斷有亞裔遭遇攻擊事件傳出後,近來已有更多亞裔關注該怎麼做,才能改變這狀況。
AG HEALEY SECURES
$89,000 FOR STUDENTS FROM ONLINE FOR-PROFIT CODING BOOTCAMP TO RESOLVE CLAIMS
OF HIGH-PRESSURE ENROLLMENT, FAILING TO PROVIDE PROPER DISCLOSURES
BOSTON
— Attorney General Maura Healey has secured $89,000 in payments to students
from an online for-profit school offering coding bootcamps to resolve
allegations that the school used high pressure enrollment tactics and failed to
provide proper disclosures about the program, in violation of the AG’s
For-Profit School Regulations.
The Assurance of
Discontinuance,
filed on Monday in Suffolk Superior Court against Flatiron School LLC
(“Flatiron”), alleges that between March 2016 and February 2020, Flatiron
violated the state’s for-profit and occupational school regulations designed to
curb deceptive and unfair practices and increase protections for prospective
students. Under the terms of the settlement, Flatiron will pay $89,000, which
will provide relief to students harmed by the school’s alleged illegal
practices.
“We have strong regulations in place to protect students from abusive and
deceptive practices by for-profit schools,” said AG Healey. “Students looking
to make informed decisions about their education should not be met with high
pressure enrollment tactics and inadequate information about programs. We are
pleased that with this settlement, students harmed will receive some relief.”
Flatiron is a private for-profit educational institution offering online and
on-campus training programs like Software Engineering and Data Science,
although they do not have a physical location in Massachusetts. “Coding
bootcamps” are intensive coding programs, usually lasting 9-12 weeks, which
help students looking for a career in web development.
According to the AG’s settlement, Flatiron
failed to make certain disclosures to consumers and prospective students at
least 72 hours prior to entering into enrollment agreements. Under the AG’s
regulations, both brick-and-mortar and online schools are required to disclose
– in their advertisements, website and recruitment literature – accurate and
readily comparable information about tuition and fees, employment statistics,
graduation rates, and program completion time.
Flatiron is the most recent online
bootcamp to be held to account for violations of the AG’s for-profit school
regulations. Previously, the AG’s Office settled with the StartUp Institute, recovering over
$300,000 in relief for students harmed by the company’s alleged unfair and
deceptive practices.
Addressing fraud and abuse in for-profit school and student lending industry
has been a top priority for AG Healey since taking office. The AG’s Office has
taken predatory schools to court, changed the practices of student loan servicers,
gone after unlawful student loan “debt relief” companies, and helped student
borrowers find more affordable repayment solutions through AG Healey’s
first-in-the-nation Student Loan
Assistance Unit.
Massachusetts students who
are looking for help or information should call the AG’s Student Loan
Assistance Unit Helpline at 1-888-830-6277.
The Flatiron investigation and settlement was handled by Lilia DuBois and
Andrew Labadini of AG Healey’s Insurance and Financial Services Division.
MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES UPDATES TO CITY OF
BOSTON’S REOPENING GUIDANCE
Modified and delayed guidance of the
latest phase of Reopening Massachusetts plan will allow the City of
Boston to prepare for industry-specific needs
BOSTON - Tuesday,
April 27, 2021 - Mayor Janey today announced that the City of Boston will
move into a modified version of the state’s current phase of the Reopening
Massachusetts plan, effective Friday, April 30. The City of Boston will delay
most of the state’s reopening guidance announced today by three weeks, in
an effort to accommodate the unique preparations needed by the City. In
late March, the City announced that it would not move forward with
additional reopening steps until the citywide positivity rate remained at
or below 2.75 percent for two consecutive weeks. It is currently at 3.6
percent. However, given improved trends in the positivity rate and other
COVID-19 public health metrics, the City will move cautiously to advance
reopening efforts. The latest modified update will support Boston’s
economic recovery as COVID-19 health metrics continue to improve. All
reopening guidance will be subject to current COVID-19 public health
data.
As of April 20,
2021, 33.1 percent of Bostonians are fully vaccinated; 55.1 percent have
received at least one dose. The citywide community positivity rate
continues to decrease, dropping to 3.6 percent, with three neighborhoods
slightly above the 5.0 percent threshold (East Boston, Dorchester and
Roslindale). New positive tests in the City of Boston decreased by 34
percent over the past week, averaging 144 new positive tests per day. The
percentage of available adult ICU beds remains stable, and the percentage
of non-surge ICU beds continues to be below the City’s threshold. Boston
has had two reported deaths in the past week.
“In every aspect
of Boston's reopening, we will take the right measures, at the right
time, to protect our people and businesses,” said Mayor Janey. “As we
look ahead to better days, we must remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is
not over. Reopening our economy does not remove our personal and
collective responsibility to remain vigilant. Thank you to all Bostonians
for your continued efforts and cooperation as we reopen our city.”
Effective Friday,
April 30, the City of Boston will align with Commonwealth’s updated Face
Coverings Order. This states that face coverings will be required at all
times at indoor and outdoor venues and events, except when eating or
drinking. Face coverings are recommended to be worn both inside and
outside during small gatherings at private homes. Face coverings are not
required outside in public spaces when individuals are able to remain at
a safe distance from others.
Also effective
April 30, public gatherings in Boston may increase to 100 people indoors
and 150 people outdoors, in alignment with the Commonwealth's previously
announced limits. In Boston, all private gatherings and events in private
residences will remain subject to current capacity limits of 10 people
indoors and 25 people outdoors. However, public and private gathering limits
will increase to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors on June 19 in
Boston, three weeks after the higher limits go into effect in other parts
of the Commonwealth. The City of Boston and the Boston Public Health
Commission will continue to closely monitor public health data and adjust
reopening plans as necessary.
The City of Boston
will align with the Commonwealth’s updated guidance for indoor and
outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks, allowing capacity to increase to
25 percent, effective May 10.
The City of Boston
plans to allow the following industries to reopen or resume June 1,
subject to certain capacity limits and safety measures, three weeks after
the Commonwealth will allow for their reopening in other parts of the
state:
·Road
races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group
athletic events
·Youth
and adult amateur sports tournaments for moderate and high-risk sports
·Singing
indoors at performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other
businesses, subject to the Commonwealth’s Theater and Performance Venue
guidance
The City of Boston
plans to allow the following industries to reopen or resume starting June
19, subject to certain capacity limits and safety measures, three weeks
after the Commonwealth will allow for their reopening in other parts of
the state:
·Street
festivals, parades and agricultural festivals, at 50 percent capacity
·Bars,
beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries for seated-service
only, subject to a 90-minute table limit, and no dance floors.
·Food
will no longer be required with alcohol service, and 10 people can be
seated at a table.
If public health
metrics support continued safe reopening in Boston, effective August 22,
industry restrictions will be lifted, and 100 percent capacity will be
allowed for all industries. This would be three weeks after the
Commonwealth takes this step in other parts of the state. Remaining Phase
Four, Step Two industries and businesses, including dance clubs and
nightclubs; saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, and health clubs; and ball
pits, would be allowed to reopen on August 22 in Boston. All businesses
will be expected to adhere to ongoing safety guidance, and mask wearing
will continue to be required indoors.
All of this guidance
is subject change based on evolving COVID-19 public health metrics. For
more information about reopening in Boston, visit boston.gov/reopening. For more information about the state’s
reopening plan, visit mass.gov/reopening.
Baker-Polito
Administration Announces Plans for Continued Reopening
Face Coverings Order
to be Relaxed for Some Outdoor Settings
BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration
announced that Massachusetts will reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2
industries effective May 10th and put plans in place for further
reopening on May 29th and August 1st. The Administration
continues to take steps to reopen the Commonwealth's economy with public health
metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction. This includes drops in
average daily COVID cases and hospitalizations. Massachusetts remains first in
the nation for first vaccine doses and total doses administered per capita,
among states with more than 5 million people. The Administration will also
relax the Face Coverings Order for some outdoor settings, effective April 30th.
Phase
IV, Step 2 Industries and Gathering Changes:
On March 22, Massachusetts
loosened capacity restrictions and advanced to Step 1 of Phase IV of the
reopening plan. Since then, case rates dropped by 20%. The positivity rate has
dropped to the lowest levels recorded since last summer.
Effective Monday, May 10th:
Large venues such as indoor
and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks currently open as part of Phase 4,
Step 1 at 12% will be permitted to increase capacity to 25%.
The Commonwealth will reopen
some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries including amusement parks, theme parks
and outdoor water parks that will be permitted to operate at a 50% capacity
after submitting safety plans to the Department of Public Health.
Road races and other large,
outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events will be
permitted to take place with staggered starts after submitting safety plans to
a local board of health or the DPH.
Youth and adult amateur
sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate and high risk sports.
Singing will also be
permitted indoors with strict distancing requirements at performance venues,
restaurants, event venues and other businesses.
Effective May 29th:
Subject to public health and
vaccination data, gathering limits will increase to 200 people indoors and 250
people outdoors for event venues, public settings and private settings.
Subject to public health and
vaccination data, additional Phase 4, Step 2 industries will be permitted to
open including:
Street
festivals, parades and agricultural festivals, at 50% of their previous
capacity and after submitting safety plans to the local board of health.
Bars,
beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries, will be subject to
restaurant rules with seated service only, a 90 minute limit and no dance
floors.
Subject to public health and
vaccination data, the restaurant guidance will be updated to eliminate the
requirement that food be served with alcohol and to increase the maximum table
size to 10.
Effective August 1st:
Subject to public health and
vaccination data, remaining industries will be permitted to open including:
Dance
clubs, and nightclubs
Saunas,
hot-tubs, steam rooms at fitness centers, health clubs and other
facilities
Indoor
water parks
Ball
pits
All industry restrictions
will be lifted at that time, and capacity will increase to 100% for all
industries, with businesses encouraged to continue following best practices.
The gathering limit will be rescinded.
Depending on vaccine
distribution and public health data, the Administration may consider
re-evaluating the August 1st date.
The Department of Public Health will also continue to
issue guidance as needed, including guidance to still require masks indoors.
Face Coverings
Order:
Effective April 30th,
the Face Coverings Order will be relaxed for some outdoor settings.
Face coverings will only be
required outside in public when it is not possible to socially distance, and at
other times required by sector-specific guidance.
Face coverings will still be
required at all times in indoor public places. Face coverings will also
continue to be required at all times at events, whether held indoors or
outdoors and whether held in a public space or private home, except for when
eating or drinking.
At smaller gatherings in
private homes, face coverings are recommended but not required. The $300 fine
as an enforcement mechanism will be eliminated.