SBOL_10_06_2022

THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

Changing the World JCALPRO Scholarship Winners Poised to Make a Difference

By Ginger DeShaney

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w o out s t a n d i n g B o s ton s t ude nt s w ho a re g oi n g to make a difference in this world were awa rded $2,500 JC A L PRO scholarships.

Madison Rull and Angelica A ngulo were presented with big checks at the 22nd South Boston Street Fest on Sept. 17.

Awarding the scholarships – in honor of Dave Wilson and Floyd Jones, two members of the JCA LPRO family – is a way for the company to give back to t he Sout h Boston community for all its support.

Madison Ru ll of Sout h Boston, who graduated

f rom t he Ne w ma n School, is a freshman at Merrimack College where she is double majoring in Early Childhood E duc ation a nd Hu ma n De velopment a nd Ser v ic e s.

Mad ison’s pa rent s were drug addicts and life was not easy. A fter many tumultuous yea rs, a nd a c a r ac cident in a stolen vehicle that lef t her injured, Madison found hersel f i n f ront of DCF. “My socia l worker asked me if there was anyone I could live with and I immediately k new who, my nana.

“L iv ing w it h my na na was such a relief. It changed my l i f e ,” M a d i s on s a id . “ Si nc e t h a t f a t e f u l d ay, my life has opened up in a dif ferent way, a good way.”

A f ter f i nd i ng out she got the scholarship, her f irst Continued on Page 3

Blessing of the Animals

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n honor of the feast of St. Fr a nci s of Assisi, Patron Saint of A nimals, all were welcomed and many came to the Annual Blessing of the Animals that took place this past Sunday, October 2, 2022, outside of Gate of Heaven Church at 1:00 PM, downstairs in the

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I Street Courtyard, near the Celtic Cross, following the 12 Noon Mass. This annual event is held in honor of St. Francis who is one of the most venerated religious f igures in Roman Catholic histor y. He founded the Franciscan orders, includ ing t he Poor Cla res Continued on Page 8

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

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Sen. Collins, Rep. Biele Announce Increased Funding for Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Increased investments for local and statewide programs

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tate Senator Nick Collins and State Representative David Biele joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts State Legislature to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 budget (FY23 budget), which included crucial investments in mental health, and substance use treatment services throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston and South Boston.

Overall, the FY23 budget allocates over $113 million for mental health care for children and adolescents, an almost $15 million increase from FY22 budget. The FY23 budget also invests $518,651,841 for adult mental health services, an almost $9 million increase from last year’s budget.

Additionally, the FY23 budget directs $274,928,823 for hospital facilities, continuing care beds, and community-based mental health services, an increase of $19 million

If you take a walk in South Boston’s Seaport District, you may proceed along the promenade that connects Seaport Boulevard with the Harborwalk. At this moment, an impressive row of large plaques salutes the Boston Globe and its 150-year record of news coverage in the City of Boston. Without doubt, this is a well-earned salute to what eventually became Boston’s Newspaper-of-Record after its founding in 1872.

However, South Boston Online is unable to resist pointing out that our own Branch Library was also founded in 1872 – 150 years ago, making it the second oldest branch library in the nation. During that time, our Branch has provided books, culture, and entertainment to more than a million residents of South Boston.

over last year’s budget. The FY23 budget also allocates $22.2 million for acute inpatient mental health services and emergency service programs for behavioral health crisis response.

Regarding treatment programs and services, the FY23 budget allocates $5,275,000 for grants and contracts with substance use programs to provide comprehensive prevention, intervention, and recovery services across the Commonwealth. This includes $2 million for RIZE Massachusetts for its work addressing the opioid crisis and $250,000 to Walker, Inc. to support education and community organizations addressing child and youth behavioral health needs.

The FY23 budget also directs over $218 million to the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, an increase of over $42.5 million from last year’s budget, including $10 million to expand low-threshold housing for homeless individuals with substance use and mental health conditions, $4.5 million for step-down recovery

services, $3 million for recovery support for individuals with or at risk of developing opioid use disorders, and $7 million for 10 new recovery centers.

At the city level, the FY23 budget builds on last year’s funding to create low-threshold housing for the crisis at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard by creating a substance use disorder services team focused on Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard in the City of Boston while funding for supportive housing for mentally ill men and women who have been chronically homeless and are currently living in emergency shelters or on the streets in Boston.

Locally, the FY23 included language filed by Sen. Collins and Rep. Biele to provide funding for the Gavin Foundation to provide comprehensive substance use and narcotic use reduction programs; the Joseph “Dodo” Nee Collaborative for substance use disorder programming; and the South Boston Community Health Center for comprehensive substance use and narcotic use reduction programs.

150 Years

“We are at a time when these investments into our substance abuse and mental health services are more important than ever, both throughout the Commonwealth and here in the First Suffolk,” said Senator Collins, “and I am very proud of the work of my colleagues, especially Representative Biele, to increase funding where it was needed most in our district.”

“This year’s budget increases investments for substance use treatment programs and mental health services, providing resources across the Commonwealth and locally in our community,” said Rep. Biele. “I was proud to partner with Senator Collins in advocating for increased resources to respond to the opioid epidemic, and I’m thankful for the support of my colleagues in the Legislature in prioritizing those investments.”

Having been enacted by the Massachusetts Senate and the Massachusetts House of Representatives, the budget has been sent to Governor Baker to be signed into law.

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

Continued from Page 1

JCALPRO Scholarship call was to her nana, Claire Lyons. “I was over the moon,” Madison said. “My nana was even more over the moon.”

Madison’s nana gave her hope a nd conf idence. “My na na ha s helped shape me into the person I am today.

Wit hout he r I wou ld n’t be in c ol lege rig ht now.”

Mad ison wa nts to ta ke her childhood experiences and be a teacher for younger kids.

“I want to spot the problems I had wit h my pa rents in others’ lives and be the person who might help bring about positive change and hope, long before they have to live through the k inds of things I have.

“I want to show them love.

I may be too young to be a nana, but with her as my role model, I know I can make a real difference in this broken world.”

A ngelica A ngulo of Dorchester graduated f rom E xc e l H i g h S c ho ol in Sout h Boston. She is a freshman studying chemistr y at U M a s s -B o s ton i n her goa l of becoming a doctor.

A n g e l ic a g re w up i n Venezuela. From early on, as an older sibling, she developed a more mat u re persona lit y because of the responsibilities she h a d t h at re qu i re d a

Madison Rull accepts her scholarship from City Council President Ed Flynn, Senator Nick Collins, and JCALPRO President and CEO Jimmy Callanan. g re at deg ree of pr udenc e, wisdom, a nd jud g ment.

But t h at re spon sibi l it y d i d n ’t translate into c on f idenc e. I n element a r y school, “I had good idea s and wanted to participate in class but out of fear, I did not express t hem freely. I discovered that this fear was insecurity that my ideas were not valid or worthy enough.”

W hen s he w a s older, Angelica was part of a church g roup a nd she for med a meaningful relationship with one of t he coordinators, a doctor. “She told me about her c a reer in medicine and I grew more and more pa s sionate to ac h ie ve t he

goa l of becoming a doctor.”

A ngelica made the diff icult decision to come to the United States, attending E xcel High School for her senior year. “There were a lot of resources and teachers that were helpful in my time there.

They helped me through this process to get into college.”

In her shor t t i me i n A merica, “I strengthened my English skills and although it has not been easy, I have always put my best effort for ward.”

A n g e l ic a i s e s p e c i a l ly gratef u l for t he JC A LPRO scholarship because she is not eligible to receive financial aid.

“I am relying solely on outside scholarships to help make my dream of college a reality,” she sa id. “My current f ina ncia l situation has not stopped me from pursuing my goals of a f uture c a reer in medicine.”

College is a llowing A ngelic a to f u r t her def ine and sharpen her self-advocacy skills, and be stronger when it comes to her social-emotional needs a s she lea rns a new culture and meets new people.

“I w i l l ke ep f i g ht i n g for my drea ms, despite the adversities that come my way, and become a success story for future generations of immigrant women pursuing med icine.”

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Angelica Angulo accepts the big check from City Councilor Erin Murphy (from left), City Council President Ed Flynn, Senator Nick Collins, and JCALPRO President and CEO Jimmy Callanan.

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

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Night OWLLs Present “We Are One”.

Mary Driscoll, Founder/ Producer/Director of the Night OWLLs.

by Rick Winterson

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ast weekend, the Night OW LL s presented an original one-act performance of a work they called “We Are One”. This was a theatrical event featuring song, music, varied

action, and the spoken word. It was created by Mary Driscoll and her talented team of wordsmiths, stagehands, designers, musicians, and performers. “We Are One” took place in the performance/ exhibition space donated to the Fort Point Arts Community by the Seaport’s Envoy Hotel.

And most important of all, each one of the four-member “We Are One” performing cast is disabled – yes, disabled.

The concept that led to “We Are One” arose five years ago, well before the pandemic began.

Readings of various versions of the performances began a few years back. At all times, the central theme has been “Access”. Not only physical access to some sort of passageway or activity, but also “Access” that demonstrates what the disabled can do – “Access” that results in opportunity, as in “Give Us a Chance”. Last

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weekend’s performance, with its music, humor, and dance nicely got that message across. In her direction, Mary skillfully spaced the climactic moments in “We Are One”, including a song performed

by Michael Ricca and a dramatic dance by Maureen Finnerty, who gracefully danced with her arms as her wheelchair raised her up.

After the performance ended, Mary asked the audience for a critique to help her answer the question of “Where do We Go from Here”? Future development of “We Are One” will certainly

occur. A cast that’ll grow to a dozen or so people with disabilities, coupled with extending the “We Are One” performance time to perhaps a couple of hours, will evolve as time passes. Why will this happen? Well, just recall that disabilities are numerous. They can involve any part of the human body and can definitely affect human mentality as well. And after that, please remember that the acronym “O.W.L.L.” stands for “On With Living and Learning”, along with an occasional third “L” now and then thrown in for “Loving”.

The cast of “We Are One” – Maureen Finnerty, Jen Mecca, Michael Ricca, Tyler Terrasi.

Hearts, Hugs & Hope: A Virtual Alzheimer’s Support Group Offered by Compass on the Bay

October 20, 2022, 6:00 p.m.

The newly renovated Amber Room on the fourth floor of the South Boston Lithuanian Club is perfect for your event, whether it’s a holiday party, wedding, reunion, business conference, or whatever!

• Brand-new, beautiful bar • Amazing caterer’s kitchen • Stunning wood floors

• Industrial look • Great views of the city • Holds up to 200 people

Also available for booking:

Stage room with bar

Small hall off Amber Room

Lithuanian Kitchen (bar, kitchen)

To book, contact manager Gint Subatis at 617-268-9058 South Boston Lithuanian Club

386 W. Broadway

617-268-9058

Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group will be held in conjunction with our sister community, Standish Village. Call 617-268-5450 or email Program Director Dean Tricarico at dtricarico@compassonthebay.com for more information and to register for the virtual meeting.

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

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Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) Hosts a Panel Discussion

by Rick Winterson

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ecently, we received a communication f rom C at her i ne D’Amato, President and CEO of the Great Boston Food Bank (the GBFB). She mentioned that a group of people concerned about hunger will travel to Washington, D.C., to attend the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The Conference took place on Wednesday, September 28; it was the first meeting of this kind in more than 50 years.

In her communication, and assuming the necessary political support, D’Amato wrote, “I have hope we can end hunger.”

On Thursday, September 29 – the day after the White house Conference – the GBFB hosted an in-person Panel Discussion at Roxbury Community College from 1 to 3 p.m. Specifically, this Panel Discussion was intended to debrief attendees about the White house Conference and to talk about how to advance anti-hunger strategy here in Massachusetts. The Panel included elected officials, educators, businesspeople, and staff members from non-profit agencies.

The GBFB’s Catherine Lynn called the Panel Discussion to order.

Donnette McManus of Brockton’s Catholic Charities opened by stating how food “fuels everything we do”. Catherine D’Amato, CEO of the GBFB, explained, “We look forward to engage with others … to end hunger here.” Elected officials included state Senator DiDominico, who assured the attendees that a key mission is eliminating hunger in the Commonwealth. “Hunger is a solvable problem”, stated state Rep. Andy Vargas and promised to continue fighting hunger here.

Massachusetts’s HHS Secretary Sudders – obviously influential in health matters – commented that the pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity across the Commonwealth. She claimed, “Reducing hunger is not enough,

Participants in the Greater Boston Food Bank Panel Discussion. we must also … address the systems and structures that lead to food insecurity.” Stop & Shop’s President Reid then described the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program.

The location of the Panel Discussion at Roxbury Community College was a strong reminder that being a college student is no guarantee of a nutritious diet or even getting enough to eat every day. If there was one, single conclusion stated by the Discussion Panel, it was that community partnerships are absolutely essential to successfully combat hunger. Public, private, non-profit, programmatic, and politically bi-partisan partnerships must be formed. At the close of the two-hour Panel Discussion, the attendees enthusiastically took part in the GBFB’s complimentary and healthy food buffet.

The GBFB has been providing relief from hunger for just over 40 years. Presently, it helps feed around a half-million (500,000) people each year in Eastern Massachusetts, over half of whom are children and elderly folks. It is the largest such organization in New England, its services have earned an excellent rating, and simply stated, most of its clients need to use a food bank frequently so they’ll get enough to eat. The GBFB is located at 70 South Bay Avenue in Boston (02118), and can be contacted at (617)4275200 or on http://www.gbfb.org/ In the ten-person group

photograph above, the Panel Discussion participants’ names (from l. to r.) are as follows: Dr. Jackie Jenkins-Scott, Roxbur y C .C .

President; Gordon Reid, President of Stop & Shop; state Rep. Andy Vargas (D-Haverhill); state Sen. Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett); Donnette McManus, Client

Advocate from Brockton; Robin Sommer, Deputy Policy Manager, Northeast, for Instacart; GBFB President and CEO Catherine D’Amato; Commonwealth HHS Secretary Marylou Sudders; Lisa Carter, Director of Project Access, Roxbury C.C.; and GBFB VP of Communications and Public Affairs Catherine Lynn.

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SBMMP Virtual Public Meeting Development of South Boston Marine MultiPort Wednesday, October 12 6:00pm-7:30pm

Project Description South Boston Marine MultiPort LLC (SBMMP) is hosting a public meeting to introduce the SBMMP marine terminal project in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park and the South Boston Designated Port Area. The SBMMP site is a 16-acre portion of the former South Boston Naval Annex. The project will reactivate maritime operations at the currently inactive terminal to support a diverse range of marine cargo operations as well as staging and fabrication for realizing the development of offshore wind energy infrastructure off the Massachusetts coast.

How to Participate: Zoom link: https://epsilonassociates.zoom.us/j/86102029283 Meeting ID: 861 0202 9283 Toll-Free Call-in Number: +1-646-876-9923 Contact Sean McNamee email: info@sbmmp.com For more information and updates, visit www.SBMMP.com

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

Porter Square Book Store Branch at One On Saturday, South Boston’s bookstore – the “Neighborhood Book Store, Porter Square Books, Boston Edition” – celebrated its First Anniversary in the Seaport District of the old hometown.

Our bookstore is a branch of the well-known Porter Square Book Store just off Mass. Ave. in Cambridge, and it has just completed its first year here. It is located in the Fan Pier development at the junction of Liberty Drive and Marina Park Drive: it has been a fine addition to other Seaport cultural organizations such as Grub Street and the ICA.

Happy First Anniversary!

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

Continued from Page 1

Blessing of the Animals

and the lay Third Order. He and St. Catherine of Siena are the patron saints of Italy, and he is also the patron saint of

ecology, as well as of animals.

The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union;

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where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. May God Bless all families and all their dear and lovable family pets.

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Blessing of the Animals Continued

THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

by Rick Winterson

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

MassRobotics 2022 Hits South Boston Seaport

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assRobotics Innovation Center is located on Channel Street in South Boston, just off Drydock Avenue in the Flynn Industrial District. It is a co-working space with numerous shared resources. It has an opendoor policy for receiving new robotics developments, as well as AI and connected devices used for developing more advanced robotics. Interestingly, their slogan is “We Bring ROBOTICS to Life”.

Last Saturday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., MassRobotics Innovation Center held a huge exhibition simply

called “mass robotics”, in tents set up on 100 Seaport Boulevard’s open space.

This was the Fifth Annual Robot Fair; despite the off-and-on rain, thousands attended. Approximately 50 robotics enterprises and schools came together in tented booths and open robot areas to showcase their advanced robotics and cutting-edge technologies. Demonstrations of actual working robots, several university exhibits, hands-on interactions between people and robots, and many company presentations of games and unusual robot tasks all drew large crowds.

One of the participants referred to the exhibition as a real “Block Party”.

Some of the robotics being displayed were truly eye-catching and attention-

The circular device is a “weeding robot”.

A “drone” pigeon flies by flapping robotic birds’ wings.

Northeastern creates complex working robots.

getting. Robots with their mostly metallic frames are expected to be very strong machines (which they certainly are!).

But there were many unusual robots as well. One of these was a circular yellow disc that was automatically removing weeds, but not the good plants, from an indoor garden. Several robots that looked like dogs were playing with a ball and running around on robotic paws. A trio of long-haired puppy robots let the crowd pat them while they closed their eyes. A flying “drone” that looked just like a pigeon with real birds’ wings circled over the crowd in the main “mass robotics” tent. And a sleek-looking driverless car was parked just outside that tent.

Several schools and many young students took part in the “mass

robotics” exhibition.

They were making presentations as good as those from the corporations and research organizations, even though they were mostly much younger people. It appears that robotics is of interest to all ages, but especially to younger enthusiasts.

Northeastern University and University of Massachusetts (Lowell) had major displays. We noted in particular two booths from Newton High School (the award-winning LigerBots) and Tewksbury High School (the Titans).

Both were staffed by their own students.

M.I.T.’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) was on hand also. CSAIL is now the largest single lab at the Institute, employing some 1,200 high-tech individuals.

We have no idea what this robot is.

A driverless robotic auto.

Hard at work – robots can be extremely complex.

Newton High has a strong robotics program.

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

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Castle Island Cleanup Save the Harbor/Save the Bay hosted three beach cleanups in South Boston.

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mployees from Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, JetBlue Airways, and JetBlue volunteers filled over 20 garbage bags of trash from Castle Island in South Boston. Save the Harbor/Save the Bay hosted three beach cleanups in South Boston last week, drawing over 150 volunteers and corporate partners of Save the Harbor in an effort to make the region’s beaches safe and accessible for everyone as well as protect the marine wildlife that can be easily harmed by small pieces of trash.

The group walked the beach at Pleasure Bay, from Sullivan’s restaurant to the start of the Head Island Causeway. While Pleasure Bay has the cleanest water in Boston according to Save the Harbor’s water quality report, there are still thousands of small plastics and cigarette butts in the sand and grass, items that marine anima ls commonly mistake for food.

“South Boston’s beaches, including Pleasure Bay, are the cleanest urban beaches in the country,” said Save the Harbor/ Save the Bay Executive Director Chris Mancini. “In an urban area, all beaches struggle with the trash that washes down to the shoreline

Employees and volunteers from JetBlue joined Save the Harbor’s series of beach cleanups last week in South Boston from the surrounding cit y.

Without the help of committed volunteers like our friends at JetBlue, it’s simply impossible to keep these shores clear of garbage and invasive species that crop up to compete with native pollinators and other vegetation.”

JetBlue has been one of Save the Harbor’s leading corporate sponsors since 2010. Together they have worked to sponsor countless youth programs on Boston Harbor and the region’s beaches as well as further Save t he Ha rbor’s susta inabilit y efforts through beach cleanups, fundraisers and more as part of JetBlue For Good®, the airline’s platform for socia l impact and corporate responsibility.

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and service, JetBlue For Good focuses on the areas that are most important to the airline’s customers and crewmembers - commu nit y, yout h a nd education, and the environment.

“We always look forward to opportunities like these with the Save the Harbor team. Not

only is it a chance to spend some time helping keep our destinations beautiful, it’s an opportunity to give back to the communities we serve and build meaningful connections with our customers and crewmembers,” said Robbie Mehoke, Director of Sa les, JetBlue.

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SBCA Brings the STEM Lab Back to Life

A Big Welcome to Our New Teachers

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s. Jessica Genovese, our new K0-K1 STEM Lab Teacher. She has been with South

Boston Catholic Academy for the last 6 years as a K0 Teacher. Ms. Jessica is a graduate of Bridgewater State College where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. After graduation, she obtained her Infant, Toddler, Preschool Teacher EEC Certification through the state of MA. She completed her Masters degree in Early Childhood Education through the Lynch Foundation at Cambridge College. This year she has switched gears to teach early childhood STEM classes for our K0 and K1 classes, helping them explore science, technology, engineering, and math concepts! In her spare time, Ms. Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Ms. Lauren Monaghan, is our new K2 to 6th Grade STEM Lab Teacher at South Boston Catholic Academy. While this is her first

year with us, she cannot wait to be a part of the SBCA family and grow, learn, and thrive right alongside her students. She is a graduate of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Educational Technology. Ms. Monaghan was born and raised in Pennsylvania and relocated to Boston about a year and a half ago.

For almost a decade, Ms. Monaghan has worked with children of various ages in a multitude of settings, cherishing the importance of being a positive influence and helping to guide students to success both within the four walls of the classroom as well as the community. In her spare time, Ms. Monaghan enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and being outdoors.

This coming school year, she is hoping to bring the STEM Lab to life as well as cultivate meaningful memories, magic, and instruction.

STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines- science, technology, engineering and mathematics- in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate subjects, here in our lab, we are going to integrate them into a cohesive learning program based on real-world applications. With that being said, throughout the academic year, we will be focusing on hands-on instruction which gets students involved in their own learning. We look forward to giving you a look at all of the magic that we will be creating in the STEM room this upcoming school year!

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SBCA Stem Lab Continued

THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

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Preparations Ahead of the 2022 State Election Preparations include early voting at sites throughout the City

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he City of Boston’s Election Department today announced its preparations ahead of the State Election taking place on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, including two weeks of early voting and ballot drop box locations.

The City previously announced the addition of 20 new voting precincts, following the Boston Election Precinct Adjustment Plan completed in October 2021, which aimed to increase voting accessibility by distributing voters equitably across precincts. The number of voting precincts has now increased from 255 to 275. As a result, the City of Boston is advising voters that they may experience a change in their precinct and polling location. Voters can find their polling location here.

The Elections Department has been conducting outreach to ensure that residents are aware of any change to their polling location ahead of the election. Voters can also check their registration status via the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website to find their election day polling location.

In-Person Early Voting

Voters registered in Boston can vote during the early voting period starting Saturday, October 22 and lasting through Friday, November 4, 2022 at any of the early voting sites.

Hours and locations for in-person early voting can be found here.

The Boston Red Sox have partnered with the City to make Fenway Park available as an early voting location on Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters may access the ballpark using the Gate A entrance located on Jersey Street. Voters will cast their ballots in the Third Base Concourse and will have an opportunity to view the field before exiting onto Lansdowne Street.

All early voting sites are equipped with electronic poll books for voter check in. Early voting locations are well-staffed with poll workers and interpreters, and fully accessible to voters with disabilities.

Accessible Voting

Massachusetts has implemented an Accessible Electronic Voting System.

Boston voters may now request, receive, complete, and return their ballot electronically using a secure

web portal. More information about voting for persons with disabilities is available here. Boston residents may also make requests through the Boston Election Department. The deadline to make a request is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

Vote By Mail

Applications for vote-by-mail ballots have been mailed out to every voter in Boston. To be eligible to vote by mail in the State Election, vote-by-mail applications must reach the Boston Election Department

by Tuesday, November 1, at 5:00 p.m. Vote-by-mail applications can be returned by U.S. mail using the prepaid postcard, in person at the Boston Election Department (located at Boston City Hall, Room 241), or by emailing absenteevoter@boston.gov.

If a voter did not receive a voteby-mail application or misplaced the application, they should apply directly on the Massachusetts online portal.

Voters should follow the instructions enclosed with their ballot package. Voters must sign the yellow ballot affidavit envelope.

Unsigned ballot affidavit envelopes will cause a ballot to be rejected.

Voters are able to drop their

mail-in ballot at any of the 21 ballot drop boxes the Elections Department has placed around the City, including at both the first and third floor entrances of Boston City Hall. All drop boxes are monitored under 24 hour video surveillance. Drop boxes will also be available at each early voting location during the scheduled voting hours. To find a ballot drop box location, visit here. Voters can track their ballot through the state’s website.

Voters may drop their ballots into a drop box until 8 p.m. on November 8, 2022. Ballots that are returned by U.S. mail and are postmarked by November 8, 2022 must be received by the Election Department by November 12.

Voting on Election Day

Polling locations for the State Election will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Ballots will be available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Language assistance will be available on Election Day by interpreters at polling locations or by contacting the Election Department’s interpreters phone bank. For more information please visit boston.gov/election.

“Discover Newmarket” Delayed, But Don’t Miss “The Phoenix”

T

he “Discover Ne w m a r k e t ” event, origina lly scheduled for last Saturday, October 1, was postponed until this coming Saturday, October 8. The event hours will be the same – from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Participants include Bully Boy Distillers, The Record Co., and The Phoenix. Don’t miss this event – Newmarket is a rapidly developing small business area.

We especially recommend visiting The Phoenix at 54 Newmarket Square, which is a g ymnasium (CrossFit) that encourages people in recovery to use their facilities. Although

The Phoenix is not a recovery center and all are welcome, it refers to itself as serving the “sober active communit y” – a sober gym, in other words.

It was f irst located in the South End and moved over to Newmarket Square a few ye a r s a go (pre-pa ndem ic).

Be sure to drop in for a

visit. You’ll really be impressed with The Phoenix facility. Lisa at The Phoenix informed us they receive support from the Red Sox and the Gavin Foundation.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

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