張欽棠任命Rachel Skerritt出任波士頓拉丁學校校長

BPS SUPERINTENDENT TOMMY CHANG NAMES NEW HEADMASTER OF BOSTON LATIN SCHOOL

Former BLS Student, Teacher and District Leader to Become the First Person of Color to Head the Historic School

BOSTON - Thursday, March 23, 2017 - Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Tommy Chang announced today that he has chosen veteran school leader and former BPS chief of staff, Rachel Skerritt, as Boston Latin School's 28th headmaster. Ms. Skerritt, who graduated from Boston Latin School (BLS) in 1995 and taught English at her alma mater, will become the first person of color and the third woman to lead the institution in its 382-year-history. Ms. Skerritt, a Dorchester native who is currently the deputy chief of leadership development for the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), was selected by a school-based screening committee that unanimously recommended her to Superintendent Chang. "We would be hard pressed to find another educator better suited to lead Boston Latin School than Rachel Skerritt. Rachel's passion for her alma mater, her deep familiarity with its traditions, and her commitment to equity make her uniquely qualified for this role," Mayor Martin J. Walsh said. "We are grateful she has chosen to return to Boston and serve the students of our city." Superintendent Chang said Ms. Skerritt is the ideal school leader to advance the mission of Boston Latin and the ongoing work to make BLS a welcoming and inclusive learning environment. "Rachel's life and professional experiences are tailor-made to lead Boston Latin School into its next chapter of excellence and equity for all," Dr. Chang said. "She is a champion of providing rigor and opportunities for every single student in her care, and she is someone who will not compromise when it comes to the education of young people." Michael O'Neill, chairperson of the Boston School Committee and a BLS alumnus, hailed the appointment of Ms. Skerritt, describing her as an "immensely qualified" lifelong educator who will move Boston Latin School forward. "The entire Boston School Committee applauds the Superintendent's appointment of Ms. Skerritt. We thank the work of the search committee, the BLS community and the Superintendent in finding this exceptional leader," Mr. O'Neill said. "Ms. Skerritt, whose passion for education was instilled in her as a student at Boston Latin School, has succeeded at every step of her extensive career due to her focus on building a great culture, hiring and supporting a strong team, connecting with students and families, and being an excellent instructional leader.  We are delighted that she is returning home to her city and her alma mater." After graduating from Boston Latin School, Ms. Skerritt attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a bachelor's degree in three years and received a master's degree in education the following year. In 1999, she returned to BLS as a 7th-grade English teacher, a role she expanded to include instructing English literature each year to 150 students in 7th, 10th and 12th grades. In 2006, she received the Crystal Award for excellence in teaching, an honor given out by the school's students. During her seven years teaching at BLS, she co-chaired its Faculty Steering Committee during a two-year strategic planning and self assessment process for accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The committee authored the school's current mission statement. She also headed a subcommittee of "Optimizing Student Outcomes," a group that worked to recruit and retain more Boston Public School students, particularly students of color. Following a one-year principal fellowship in which she received administrative training and interned at Another Course to College (ACC), Ms. Skerritt was appointed headmaster of ACC in July 2007. While leading the BPS pilot high school for two years, ACC's graduation rate increased by 11 percent, earning it a bronze medal from U.S. News and World Report. In August 2009, then-BPS Superintendent Carol Johnson appointed Ms. Skerritt chief of staff. In addition to serving as the primary liaison between the central office, the Mayor's Office and the School Committee, she also co-authored the district's "Acceleration Agenda," a five-year strategic plan. Ms. Skerritt left Boston Public Schools in November 2010 to become principal of Eastern Senior High School. One of the oldest high schools in Washington, D.C., Eastern was significantly underperforming and had cycled through 13 leaders in 12 years before it was gradually phased out and reopened. Ms. Skerritt relaunched the turnaround school, recruiting a talented instructional team that instituted a new academic program for 300 9th-graders in August 2011. Under her leadership, the school, which added one grade level of students each year and 40 additional staffers each spring, earned the second highest proficiency rate among comprehensive high schools in the District of Columbia Public Schools. By 2016, the school's graduation rate soared to 79 percent - 10 points higher than the district average. That June, 85 percent of Eastern's graduates enrolled in postsecondary institutions. Ms. Skerritt, who re-started the school's theater program and launched study-abroad service-learning trips for students to Africa and the Caribbean, ultimately helped lead Eastern out of the equivalent of turnaround status in 2015. While serving as the full-time leader of Eastern, Ms. Skerritt participated in the "Principal Ambassador Fellowship" with the United States Department of Education for two years. She was among a group of full-time principals chosen to be part-time advisors to Secretary Arne Duncan, convening focus groups to assess how the department can better support school leaders in an era of high-stakes accountability, and speaking nationally on the department's behalf regarding turnaround schools, Common Core standards, and other key initiatives. In June 2016, she was appointed deputy chief of leadership development for DCPS, overseeing the district's professional development programs for school leaders and aspiring principals. "I am incredibly excited to serve as headmaster of my alma mater, an institution that has shaped me as a learner and a leader," said Ms. Skerritt. "I look forward to collaborating with staff, students, parents, alumni, partners, and the community at large to ensure that Latin School's mission of college preparedness, and responsible and engaged citizenship is realized for all of our students." Michael Contompasis, interim headmaster of BLS, praised Ms. Skerritt as a talented, dedicated educator and skilled bridge builder. "I was headmaster at Boston Latin School when I first met Rachel Skerritt as a newly enrolled 7th grader. Even at that young age, Rachel demonstrated extraordinary promise," said Mr. Contompasis, who later, as BPS superintendent in 2007, appointed Ms. Skerritt to lead Another Course to College. "Exceptionally brilliant, passionate and thoughtful, Ms. Skerritt earned the reputation in Boston as someone you could always rely on for insight, vision, and good sense." Mr. Contompasis, who served as BLS headmaster from 1976-1998, said Ms. Skerritt's ability to engage and inspire diverse constituencies sets her apart.   "She is masterful in bringing people together. But above all, she puts the needs of her students first," he said. "As proud as I was to have appointed Rachel Skerritt to her first school leadership position, I am even prouder and more gratified today to turn the reins over to this exceptionally accomplished and dynamic educator - one who will undoubtedly have profound and lasting impact on the entire Boston Latin School community." BLS 10th-grade student Perrin Price, who served on the headmaster screening committee, lauded Ms. Skerritt for her student-centered approach. "Her beliefs and values in bringing direction to Boston Latin is just what this community needs," she said. "I love how dedicated and committed she is. Just knowing that she wants to listen to students is so important. I believe that she will listen to us, and put our needs first. I am so excited to get to know her." Peter G. Kelly, president of the Boston Latin School Association, said Ms. Skerritt's steadfast service to public education, her exceptional educational and professional experience and her longstanding devotion to the students and alumni of BLS make her an outstanding choice to lead the historic institution. "A more successful preparation for the headmastership of Boston Latin School you will not find than in Rachel Skerritt's extraordinary career. She is the right leader for this time and she would be an outstanding leader at any time for Boston Latin School," Kelly said. "Rachel is a quintessential Latin School success story. She continues the strong tradition of exceptional leadership at the school and will no doubt elevate not only BLS but also the entire district through vision, aspiration, and confidence in the children of Boston."

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES THIRD ANNUAL ONE BOSTON DAY

(Boston Orange)波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)宣佈，4月15日將是永久性的”波士頓團結日(One Boston Day)”。波士頓今年也將繼續誌記這個特別的日子，表揚那些有如在2013年4月15日慘劇發生時，彰顯了波士頓韌性和精神的個人。               波士頓市府將鼓勵人們在4月15日這天散播善意，用網站讓人們分享他們在”波士頓團結日”這天的行動計劃，並用#OneBostonDay，以及#BeBoston在社交媒體上發佈。               馬丁華殊表示，波士頓馬拉松賽是波士頓市特色的重要部分，也持續地向世界展示著波士頓的堅強，有著不論如何，都有韌性的傳統。               馬丁華殊是在波約斯頓街(Boylston)馬拉松運動店前，揭曉2017年波士頓馬拉松賽街頭宣傳旗幟時，做了這一宣佈，鼓勵人們隨時隨地表達善意，做好事。               去年4月15日，#OneBostonDay 在全美社交媒體上的帶領潮流，在各個社交頻道上，有來自個人或機構的不下77,000個帖子，分享各自做了哪些服務或好事。今年，Hill Holiday公司仍將作為這一活動的創意及數位行銷夥伴，擴散”波士頓團結日”的知名度，能見度。 MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES THIRD ANNUAL ONE BOSTON DAY

Encourages the public, organizations to get involved in spreading goodwill

BOSTON - Thursday, March 22, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh has announced that the City of Boston will once again honor Boston's resilience, generosity and strength on April 15, now permanently known as "One Boston Day". The day serves as an opportunity to recognize the good in Boston's community and reflect on the spirit and resilience of the people of Boston that was exemplified in response to the loss and tragedies of April 15, 2013. The City of Boston will utilize a website where individuals and organizations can share their plans for One Boston Day, and post about it on social media using the hashtags #OneBostonDay and #BeBoston. Members of the public are encouraged to share how they plan on spreading goodwill on April 15, and show support on social media by using the One Boston Day logos. "The Boston Marathon is a key part of our city's identity, and continues to show the world that Boston is strong, and our traditions will endure, no matter what," said Mayor Walsh. "The spirit of the day on April 15 shows the best of Boston: how Bostonians from all backgrounds come together to line the streets, celebrate one another and do good for their community. I hope everyone can mark this day in a way that inspires each other with the love we have for our community, our neighbors and our City." Mayor Walsh announced this year's remembrance of One Boston Day  at the unveiling of the 2017 Boston Marathon street banners hosted by John Hancock at Marathon Sports on Boylston Street earlier this week. One Boston Day encourages random acts of kindness and goodwill, and activities across the City will encourage individuals to give back to their community. This new tradition came together in 2015 based on the desire expressed by many survivors to pass on the kindness, generosity and support they received following the 2013 Boston Marathon. Last April 15, #OneBostonDay was a leading trend nationally on social media, and there were over 77,000 posts across social channels from individuals and organizations marking this day of service and goodwill. As in the past, Hill Holiday is serving as the creative and digital marketing partner to help spread awareness and raise the visibility of One Boston Day.

緬因州李佩吉州長向賴銘琪處長促銷龍蝦

賴銘琪處長3月21日拜會緬因州李佩吉州長

                (Boston Orange) 經文處賴銘琪處長3月21日赴緬因州首府奧古斯塔（Augusta）拜會州長李佩吉(Paul LePage) ，祝賀該州2016年捕獲龍蝦量創新紀錄，並廣受亞洲各國市場歡迎；並稱臺灣消費者也十分喜食新英格蘭龍蝦，近年進口之緬因州龍蝦在臺備受青睞；賴處長允未來於各種時機場合續媒合拓銷龍蝦等產品出口臺灣。

              賴處長於21至22日偕朱永昌組長至緬因州訪問。在拜會李佩吉州長時，賴處長特別對該州2016年龍蝦捕獲量達1億3100萬磅、銷售額逾5億3300萬美元之歷史新高致賀。賴處長也指出，該州龍蝦在亞洲國家廣受歡迎，臺灣也不例外；日前至波士頓國際海產展參展的我國臺灣冷凍水產工業同業公會廠商也曾請賴處長轉達願與緬因州龍蝦廠商聯繫，擴大出口至臺灣的意願。賴處長乃藉此次拜會時機向李佩吉州長當面提供相關廠商資料。

              其次，賴處長詼諧表示，緬因州出口至亞洲的龍蝦一般都以「波士頓龍蝦」為名，在臺灣也是如此，對該州實有欠公平,主因或許是各國對緬因州的認識有限，如果緬因州之經貿訪問團經常走訪臺灣及其他亞洲國家，對增進各國對緬因州龍蝦及其他產品的認識當更有助益。我國相關部會樂意在各種機會協助緬因州在臺灣拓展龍蝦、藍莓、楓糖等農產品、半導體等高科技產品及促成高等教育交流合作。

             李佩吉州長稱，曾注意到各國確實普遍以「波士頓龍蝦」泛稱緬因州龍蝦現象，笑稱令人遺憾；緬因州政府亟思如何矯正此錯誤印象，也積極研議藉經貿拓銷團、緬因州商品展等方式導正消費者之誤解，為產品正名；此外，緬因州也非常歡迎臺灣各界至緬因州投資、經商及就學，增進雙邊的交流合作。

           根據貿易數據，臺灣與緬因州經貿關係密切，臺灣是緬因州第11大出口市場。緬因州2015年出口至臺灣之產品總額逾4700萬美元，主要項目包括電機、錄影（音）設備及零組件、鞣染料、機器及零件、鋼鐵製品、運載工具及零件等；而臺灣也是緬因州第18大進口來源國，2015年進口值逾2500萬美元。此外，緬因州也與我國教育部簽訂教育合作備忘錄，致力雙邊的教育交流。

          賴處長此行另分別拜會緬因州參議長Mike Thibodeau、眾議長Sara Gideon、參議會助理多數黨領袖Andre Cushing、聯邦參議員Susan Collins (R-ME)的選區代表Kate Simson、聯邦參議員Angus King Jr. (I-ME)的選區服務代表Scott Wilkinson及Sarah Graettinger及多位州議會領袖，積極促進臺灣與緬因州之友好關係，並推薦各種投資與合作機會。(波士頓經文處提供)

一旦共和黨健保法上路 麻州可能有50萬人會失去醫療健保

(Boston Orange)麻州州長查理貝克( Charlie Baker)3月21日時警告式地指出，共和黨廢除聯邦醫療健保法的計畫，可能讓50萬名麻州居民失去醫療保險，使州政府預算出現一個20億元大洞。麻州這全美第一個的全民醫療健保承諾也將受到危害。

查理貝克和他的醫療健保長在交給麻州國會議員的信中，都對川普總統廢除前任總統醫療健保的行為，有更尖苛的批評。

            共和黨籍的查理貝克早前已對共和黨的美國醫療健保法表示關切，但週二這封信更仔細地描繪了對麻州680萬居民的影響。

            查理貝克警告的指出，這聯邦法令可能顛覆麻州長達10年，不分黨派，要確保麻州每個居民都有醫療保險的努力。

            他說，共和黨的計畫將更加枯竭麻州繼續實踐全民健保承諾所需的財務支援。

麻州健康及人民服務署署長Marylou Sudders更是直接，照目前公布的法案來看，對我們不利。

查理貝克政府表示，他們還沒有機會全面分析華府周一晚公佈的最新修訂，但估計那些改變麻對麻州財政的影響，看來無益。

查理貝克在聯邦眾議院預定週四投票前，提出警告。包括麻州國會代表在內，估計沒有民主黨人會投票支持。

            不過這法案的命運還難確定，因為相信這樣做還不足以推翻奧巴馬法案的保守份子反對。如果這法案在共和黨控制的眾議會通過了，並不保證在共和黨人數只是略多一些的參議院，也會通過。

            但是只是川普的"廢除即取代"醫療保險計畫可能通過，就促使支持醫療保險者擴大了貝克提出的警告。

指揮”全民健保(Health Care for All)的Stephen Rosenfeld表示，查理貝克給國會議員的信數量化了麻州預算可能面對的巨大預算影響，大家應該呼籲麻州州長慫恿全美其他州長來聯手打擊這有害的法令。

Marylou Sudders概要形容了川普法案對麻州可能有哪些特定影響。她說，在幾年內，麻州可能每年失去11億到19億元的聯邦醫療補助(Medicaid)，這為貧窮及殘障人士提供的醫療保險，名為”麻州健康(MassHealth)”。

她說，目前在麻州健康名冊上的30萬人有可能失去保險，另外經由麻州健康聯繫者獲得醫療保的約19.5萬人，可能失去幫助他們支付保費的補助，意味著她們也將失去醫療保險。

那些數目還不包括經由雇主獲得醫療保險，但一旦共和黨法案通過，也可能失去醫療保險的未知人數。

監管麻州230億元辦公室的Sudders列出了一系列共和黨法案可能來的一系列後果。

            *麻州可能失去給服務很多醫療補助病患醫院的一年4億7500萬元。那些錢對醫院為麻州最貧窮，病得最重的人提供服務來說很重要。

            *技術上的語言可能逼使麻州降低用來衡量一名居民所持資產是否符合使用醫療補助進療養院之類機構的標準。目前要符合收入要求，這人的住宅資產必須低於84萬元，但新法將逼使麻州把這數額降至56萬元。Sudders表示，她不知道有多少人可能受影響。

            *新法將取消給麻州公共健康署的1900萬元，用於處理家庭計畫，預防性攻擊等地經費。

            麻州其實已經在為醫療保險費用掙扎了。

            最近幾年，醫療補助已佔了麻州開支的極大部分，意味著能花在諸如教育，交通等其他方面的錢更少。

            目前，那是麻州將近400億元預算中的40%。麻州健康花在麻州醫療補助上的經費，從2007年起已加了一倍。

            麻州一職是醫療保險改革上的領袖，自從2006年共和黨籍的朗尼(Mitt Romney)州長簽署後，這法案為麻州居民創造了幾近全民的健保。其中的主要內容包括規定每個居民都要買健康保險。

波市學校委員會批准2018會計年度預算10億元

Boston School Committee approves Boston Public Schools' FY '18 budget in 5-2 vote

Schools receive nearly 4 percent increase in funding

BOSTON - Wednesday, March 22, 2017 - The Boston School Committee passed the fiscal year 2018 Boston Public Schools' (BPS) budget in a 5-2 vote during its March 22 meeting, totaling $1.061 billion. The budget is the largest in BPS history, representing a projected $40 million increase since last year, and a $143 million increase since Mayor Martin J. Walsh took office in 2014 despite declining state and federal aid. The FY18 allocation makes targeted investments in programs that increase academic rigor and enrichments, pre-kindergarten, extended learning time, vocational programming, and resources for students experiencing homelessness. "Boston is entering a new era of investment in our schools and I thank the Boston School Committee for continuing to come together for our students and their futures," Mayor Walsh said. "Through the largest school investment in the city's history, we are adding additional classroom time for kindergarten through eighth grade, more-prekindergarten seats, expanding vocational programming and significantly increasing funding to our classrooms. Last year, we saw more schools reach Level 1 and Level 2 status than ever before and high school and college graduation rates are at an all-time high. It is my priority to continue to build on that success and provide every student in every neighborhood with the high-quality education they deserve." Funding directed to schools will increase by almost 4 percent, even before the largest driver of BPS costs, employee collective bargaining increases, are negotiated. When taking into account total spending at schools, funding directed to schools is projected to increase at 96 schools even with flat overall district enrollment. This includes additional funding for lengthening the school day at 39 schools, new homeless resources, weighted student funding (WSF) allocations, a projected allotment from the collective bargaining reserve, other supports added to schools after WSF, and other new investments. BPS Superintendent Tommy Chang thanked School Committee members for their careful deliberation of the budget. "On behalf of the Boston Public Schools (BPS), I thank the Boston School Committee for carefully considering and approving a budget for fiscal year 2018 that increases funding for schools and provides critical resources - including expanded academic rigor, extending the school day, additional pre-K seats, and services for students experiencing homelessness," said Superintendent Chang. "This $1.061 billion budget, the largest in BPS history, is a sustainable financial plan that aligns with the district's core values of equity, coherence, and innovation, and helps ensure that every student has an opportunity to succeed. BPS is excited by the commitment of Mayor Walsh, whose administration has increased projected funding for the district by $40 million since last year and $143 million since taking office. The new and continued investments from the Walsh administration will strengthen the district's mission of closing opportunity and achievement gaps." The record-setting funding for BPS comes as the district experiences major gains. In 2016, the four-year high school graduation rate climbed to a record high of 72.4 percent, marking a 13-point gain since 2006. Additionally, BPS has more state-designated Level 1 and 2 schools than ever before, with a combined 46 schools ranked among the highest-performing in the state. More than 600 additional students will be enrolled in Level 1 and 2 schools next year, indicating more families are taking advantage of the school choice process. Targeted supports in the fiscal 2018 BPS budget include: ●      A $1.2 million investment to support more than 2,500 students experiencing homelessness. ●      An additional $700,000 for the groundbreaking Excellence for All initiative that increases academic rigor and enrichments for students in fourth and fifth grade. ●      $600,000 to expand pre-kindergarten seats and laying a foundation for the Mayor's goal of universal pre-K. ●      $1.3 million for new vocational programming at The English High School and Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers. ●      An additional $650,000 for facilities improvements. Under the new Opportunity and Achievement Gap Policy, the fiscal 2018 budget was proposed after a careful equity analysis to ensure funding is directed toward our highest-need students in a manner that is consistent with closing opportunity and achievement gaps. The budget also solidifies the commitment of Mayor Walsh and BPS to strengthen the district's long-term financial plan; and improve infrastructure for the next decade and beyond through the BuildBPS educational and facilities master plan. In addition, Mayor Walsh recently filed comprehensive education finance reform legislation at the State House that aims to invest equitably in public education and expand access to high-quality education for students of all ages. This includes a proposal to close the "quality gap" in pre-kindergarten seats in Boston by fiscal year 2025 by creating approximately hundreds more quality pre-kindergarten seats, which would be funded by redirecting $16.5 million of surplus revenue raised in Boston from the Convention Center Fund to the City of Boston for early education. The approved budget will be submitted to the Boston City Council for final approval later this spring.

2017MIPIM中國世貿中心奪兩大獎

            (Boston Orange 周菊子法國坎城報導)在全世界規模最大房地產展之一的MIPIM中，2017年中國表現亮眼，儘管來自中國的參展者不多，由Aedas公司Andrew Bromberg設計，座落在北京的中國世貿中心第三期，不但贏得零售休閒類的建築評審獎，還贏得最佳未來項目獎。

北京中國世貿中心第三期。

            2017年的MIPIM這房地產大展，共有來自100多個國家的24,200名房地產業及城市領導人出席，其中包括大約5000名投資人，投資機構

            MIPIM的主辦單位REED表示，由於美國的總統大選，英國脫歐的投票決定，以及即將舉行的法國，德國和荷蘭選舉，今年他們選了”房地產的新交易”做為會議主題。

            根據Cushman & Wakefield公司公佈的數據，全球房地產投資的新資金大約有4350億元，比2016年低，但仍是2009年以來第二高的數據。

            今年很明顯的，英國政府的國際貿易部和英國物業聯盟在竭盡所能地向投資家再三保證，英國仍然是房地產很穩定，值得投資的關鍵地帶。今年也是英國政府破天荒的在MIPIM設置了自己的展場。來自英國的參展商不下960家之多，比2016年增加了24%。

            倫敦副市長Jules Pipe也出席了會議，還說，不論如何，英國會熬過來。

            MIPIM這會展，每年都有很多巨型項目，

巴黎地區(Paris Region)將會見出300萬平方呎的辦公室空間，以及5300萬平方呎的歐洲最大商圈，斥資300億元的投資項目將讓巴黎地鐵到2030年時的載客容量加倍。巴黎地區也將在未來十年投資50億元，以迎接大約22000名高中生，翻修650萬平方呎的現有房地產。

            預計耗資70億歐元的伊斯坦堡大機場，將耗資300億歐元的大巴黎快車，預定2030年竣工，連接東西倫敦，將耗資170億歐元的跨鐵路鍊接(Crossrail link)預計2020年起分階段啟動。

            有些人認為，MIPIM今年最惹人注意的項目是義大利國防部控制的威尼斯Vignole Island，將在50年退壤協議中，由發展商蓋酒店及休憩用地。

            MIPIM的主辦單位Reed MIDEM在會議中宣佈了10月11日在紐約舉辦地產科技峰會，十月十八，十九兩日在倫敦奧林匹亞舉辦英國MIPIM會展。

2018年的MIPIM會展預定3月13至16日在法國坎城舉行。

            MIPIM在3月16日的頒獎儀式中，宣佈了2017年的大獎得主，來自丹麥，法國，德國，波蘭，英國及比利時的這些歐洲國家，幾乎囊括了所有獎項，但中國世貿中心第三期，

            最佳醫療護理項目獎為丹麥的Slagelse，最佳酒店及旅遊休憩地為法國的Albar Hotel Paris Céline，最加工業及物流項目為比利時的Nike歐洲物流園區，最佳創新綠化大樓是巴西的”明日博物館(The Museu do Amanhã)”，最佳辦公商業項目為波蘭的Warsaw Spire，最佳翻修樓宇為比利時布魯塞爾的Chambon。最佳住宅項目為德國柏林的li01，有六棟公寓的新建築。最佳購物中心為英國Leeds的Victoria Gate。最佳市區新生項目是比利時的be-MINEBeringen。最佳未來項目為中國的中國世貿中心第三期。最佳未來巨型項目為日本的Kashiwa-no-ha 智慧城市。特別評審獎由土耳其伊斯坦堡的Beyazit State圖書館。

Graduation of the Fourth Class of the Pre-Vocational Skills for Retail Employment Job Training Program

Graduation of the Fourth Class of the Pre-Vocational Skills for Retail Employment Job Training Program

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center and the Chinese Progressive Association celebrated the graduation of their fourth class of the Pre-Vocational Skills with ESOL for Retail Employment training program.  Nine students graduated, with three having already begun work in their new customer service positions.

Two of the graduates will be working as cashiers at local supermarket chain Roche Bros., which is a longtime partner of this program and has provided expert retail knowledge and behind-the-scenes tours to all students of the class. Joe Curtin, who is the Director of Recruiting, Training, and Development at Roche Bros., was the keynote speaker at the graduation. Already familiar to the students from his energetic and informative tour of the store’s Downtown Crossing location, Mr. Curtin impressed upon the graduates the importance of continually striving for better English proficiency. He urged the students to step outside their comfort zones and take risks with language. Mr. Curtin was excited to have hired two of the graduates and emphasized that at Roche Bros., there is always opportunity for people who are willing to work hard.

The graduation was also attended by representatives of the City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, which supports the program through the Neighborhood Jobs Trust. In a short speech, Marsha Gelin of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development recognized the students’ achievements and wished them the best in their future careers. Next, attendees heard from Alison Fong, the co-founder and owner of Bon Me. Ms. Fong, a former Chinese Progressive Association intern, now owns an Asian-inspired restaurant and food truck business with over 160 employees across Greater Boston. Bon Me currently employs six graduates of the program, and Ms. Fong provided insight into their progress at her company while encouraging the most recent graduates to apply.

Finally, each graduate gave a speech about the impact the class has had on them. Student Amy Lam shared what she had learned from her experience, saying, “If I didn’t attend this program, I wouldn’t have the knowledge to sell products and I wouldn’t know my good classmates. This class is very important to me – I met great people!”  

The 10-week training provides low-income immigrants with the English, customer service, and mainstream job search skills needed to obtain and maintain employment in the retail and customer service industries. Students also have the opportunity to speak to local employers, including Roche Bros., Bon Me, and Uniqlo.

Registration is now open for the next training, which is set to take place this summer. Students must meet low-income requirements and be residents of Boston; those interested should go to CPA at 28 Ash Street, Boston, to register and to schedule a time for an English test and an interview.