The Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) will now accept entries for the Building a Logo contest.

Students may submit their entries to [email protected] until 11:59 pm on November 22, 2024. Official contest rules and guidelines for distribution are included below and within the attached Design and Release document and which can also be found on the MSBA’s Building a Logo webpage. We have provided an additional page that includes the submission requirements to the attached informational poster.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions

I am pleased to share that Mass Cultural Council is now accepting applications for two programs which may be of interest to your constituents and districts: Local Cultural Council FY25 grants and Creative Projects for Schools FY25 grants.

Local Cultural Council FY25 grant: https://massculturalcouncil.org/communities/local-cultural-council-program/application-process/

The Local Cultural Council grant program, the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supports the cultural life of all cities and towns in Massachusetts. As a result of the legislature's FY25 budget, over $7.5 million will be available for your constituents to apply for until October 16th.  There is a grant information session TODAY, September 5 at 6pm. Registration here: https://massculturalcouncil.org/event/local-cultural-council-grants-info-session/

• Application Deadline: October 16, 2024

Creative Projects for Schools FY25 grant: https://massculturalcouncil.org/education/creative-projects-for-schools/

This new grant program will support creative learning experiences in the arts, sciences, and humanities where K-12 students can uncover hidden talents, discover and express their own ideas, build confidence, explore the natural world, and connect to their history and community. This new program is an expansion of MCC’s former grant program known as STARS Residencies. This program will provide funding for a broad range of school-based projects, including residencies, that foster creative learning. Eligible applicants include public schools, non-profit schools or organizations, and for-profit schools or organizations. Mass Cultural Council anticipates making 300 $5,000 awards this fiscal year.

• Information Sessions – September 10 (ASL interpretation) and September 12 (interpretación en español), 2024
  • Register here -- https://massculturalcouncil.org/event/creative-projects-for-schools-info-session/
• Application Deadline– October 10, 2024

You can see open programs at MCC - throughout the year - here: https://massculturalcouncil.org/programs-at-a-glance/. 

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Governor Maura Healey has declared September 2024 as Emergency Preparedness Month to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and to encourage planning for disasters and other types of emergencies.  

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), and other state, local, and nonprofit agencies will promote preparedness through various public outreach efforts throughout the month. These efforts are part of a month-long national campaign themed “This is why I prepare.” The goal is to personalize the reasons why local leaders and officials prepare for emergencies while encouraging others to do the same. 

“Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and I have visited communities across Massachusetts impacted by the devastating effects of severe flooding and other significant weather events. We know that emergency readiness is essential to our collective ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from hazards and threats,” said Governor Healey. “After the floods experienced by Massachusetts communities in 2023, I proposed and the Legislature enacted Massachusetts’ first Disaster Relief and Resilience Fund to increase support for municipalities and strengthen resiliency statewide. During preparedness month, I encourage all residents to assess their readiness and rely on the many resources available to prepare for the unexpected.” 

“The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, Department of Public Health, and other public safety agencies collaborate closely with Massachusetts communities and across all levels of federal, state, and local government to increase our readiness amid evolving threats to our landscape,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “Emergency Preparedness Month provides an opportunity to build upon our strong partnerships and continue the important work of preparing for the unexpected.” 

“Preparedness is vital to recovery and resilience. Emergency Preparedness Month reminds us about the importance of taking proactive steps to protect loved ones and reduce the impacts of an emergency or disaster,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “I’m grateful to MEMA and our many public health and safety partners for their dedication to enhancing statewide readiness and providing Massachusetts residents with essential preparedness planning resources.”  

“Before, during, or after a disaster, it’s important to be a good neighbor and to help one another,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley. “During Emergency Preparedness Month, ask how you can help a loved one or member of your community prepare, especially those who may be more vulnerable due to a disability, age, or medical conditions.” 

“No matter what the disaster may be, our commitment is to work with and support communities, providing them the resources and services to effectively respond and swiftly recover,” said Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “To protect public health and safety we must engage with the community, foster resilience, and focus on equity and humanity. The importance of preparation cannot be overstated, and all of us share in this responsibility.”  

Throughout September, MEMA and DPH will share information on their social media accounts about emergency preparedness topics, including emergency planning, building an emergency kit, preparing for disasters, youth preparedness, ways to get involved in community preparedness, and more. 

Visit Mass.gov/ready to find emergency preparedness tips available in several different languages, safety tips for specific threats and hazards, preparedness resources from the MEMA, DPH, and the Massachusetts Office on Disability, and other information. 

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) recently launched the latest Massachusetts Travel Study, the first comprehensive statewide data collection project in over 10 years. If invited to participate, residents across the Commonwealth will have the opportunity to share information about their travel behavior and help inform the future of transportation planning and service delivery.

Households across the state will be randomly selected to participate in the study. If chosen, household members will be able to complete a short travel dairy and questionnaire that asks about various trip purposes, and travel modes taken. Once complete, every participating household member will receive a gift card for use at select retailers.

Invitation letters are currently being distributed to households, and will continue to arrive in mailboxes all across the state throughout the Fall. We encourage all who receive an invitation to participate in the study, as this data will help MassDOT make capital investment, service delivery, and transportation planning decisions.

For more information about the Massachusetts Travel Study, please visit https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-travel-study .

We encourage your household to participate should you be invited to be part of the study.

The EOPSS Office of Grants and Research (OGR) is pleased to make available over $11 million though the Shannon Community Safety Initiative (CSI). Eligible applicants include multi-disciplinary collaborations working to address high levels of gang violence in their geographic area. Multiple municipalities may apply together as a regional collaborative group, with one municipality serving as the lead applicant and as the fiscal agent for the group. Program partners may include local, state, and nonprofit organizations, as further outlined in the Availability of Grant Funding (AGF).

Listed and detailed below is the appropriate deadlines and links for more information.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI), in collaboration with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center and the Massachusetts Export Center, are pleased to announce the opening of the Massachusetts State Trade Expansion Program ("STEP").

The STEP Program is intended to help offset international business development and related marketing costs for small businesses. Eligible small businesses in Massachusetts are encouraged to apply for grants under STEP for the purpose of increasing export sales of their goods and services. Grant proceeds may be used for specific international business development and marketing costs outlined here. This program is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). 

The application deadline is Monday, September 30 at 5:00 p.m.

We encourage businesses interested in applying to register for our STEP Grant Application Webinar which will take place on Friday, September 13^th from noon to 1:30 p.m. 

If you have any questions about STEP, please reach out to [email protected].

The Executive Office of Veterans Services and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs are hosting New England's first-ever VA 1-on-1 Veterans Assistance Expo on Wednesday, September 4, from 9:00AM-8:00PM at Gillette Stadium. This event is an opportunity for service members, veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors to connect with representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, state, and community partners. It will bring together a wide range of resources for our veterans, including PACT Act screenings, healthcare guidance, education benefits, claims assistance, and employment opportunities. For more information, you may visit the event page here.  

The MBTA today reminded riders of service changes in September on the Red Line, which will allow crews to repair 18 miles of track between JFK/UMass and Braintree, resulting in the removal of over 20 speed restrictions and improving round-trip Braintree Branch travel times by as much as 24 minutes. These track improvements will also lay the groundwork for the MBTA’s goal of raising current Red Line train speeds above current speeds where possible. Kingston, Middleborough, and Greenbush (Old Colony) Commuter Rail line trains, which run adjacent to the Red Line, will also be replaced with shuttle bus service between South Station and Braintree during the weekends of September 7 – 8 and September 14 – 15 to accommodate this critical work.

The MBTA is not currently planning any other subway or Commuter Rail service changes in September.

On the Red Line:

• As previously announced, Red Line Braintree Branch service will be suspended between JFK/UMass and Braintree for 24 days from September 6 to September 29.

• • Riders should note that Middleborough, Kington, and Greenbush (Old Colony) Commuter Rail line service will also be replaced by shuttle bus service during the weekends of September 7 – 8 and September 14 – 15.
  • Riders are strongly encouraged to use the Middleborough, Kington, and Greenbush (Old Colony) Commuter Rail lines for fare-free service between Braintree, Quincy Center, JFK/UMass, and South Station (with the exception of the weekends of September 7 – 8 and September 14 – 15). Commuter Rail schedules are available on mbta.com.

• • • Commuter Rail trains operate about every 20-30 minutes. Travelling between Braintree and South Station on the Commuter Rail is about 24 minutes.

• • • Additional Keolis personnel will be available at Braintree, Quincy Center, and JFK/UMass during weekday morning and evening rush hour periods to answer questions and assist riders boarding Commuter Rail trains.
    • Extra coaches will be added to the Middleborough, Kington, and Greenbush Commuter Rail lines to accommodate the anticipated increase in ridership.
    • Riders should note that regular Commuter Rail fares will be collected for travel beyond Braintree.
  • Free and accessible shuttle bus service will make stops at Braintree, Quincy Adams, Quincy Center, Wollaston, North Quincy, and Ashmont for connections to further Red Line subway service.
  • There will be no direct shuttle bus service to or from JFK/UMass. Riders boarding or disembarking at JFK/UMass should utilize the fare-free Commuter Rail when possible.

• • Riders using shuttle buses during this service change should budget ample extra travelling time. For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Braintree should anticipate an extra 40 minutes in addition to their regular commute. Again, riders are strongly encouraged to consider the fare-free Commuter Rail during this service change.

• • There will be increased subway service on the Ashmont Branch in order to maintain train frequency through the Red Line core between JFK/UMass and Alewife. Trains will operate at about an 8-minute frequency between Ashmont and Alewife.
  • Riders can find complete information soon at mbta.com/RedLine.
  • This service change is in place to perform work as part of the Track Improvement Program, including replacing tracks and ties, resurfacing and tamping track areas, and upgrading station amenities. The track work accomplished during these 24 days allows the MBTA to run service up the maximum allowable speed of 40 miles per hour, but also lays the groundwork for raising current Red Line train speeds above that. Other critical steps after the work is completed will need to be take place before train speeds are raised, like additional Red Line motorperson training, further service and schedule planning, and more.

On the Kingston, Middleborough, and Greenbush Commuter Rail lines:

• • Kingston, Middleborough, and Greenbush Commuter Rail line service will be suspended between South Station and Braintree during the weekends of September 7 – 8 and September 14 – 15.

• Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate directly between South Station and Braintree, stopping only at South Station and Braintree. The diversion schedule will be available online soon at com/CommuterRail.
• Passengers can also utilize free and accessible shuttle buses replacing Red Line Braintree Branch service between Braintree and Ashmont.

• There will be no direct shuttle bus service to or from JFK/UMass.

• Passengers should note that bicycles are not allowed on shuttle buses, and regular Commuter Rail fares will be collected between Kingston, Middleborough, Greenbush, and Braintree stations.
• Keolis Customer Service Agents, MBTA staff, and Transit Ambassadors will be on site at impacted stations to support riders.
• This service change is in place to accommodate Track Improvement Program work taking place on the Braintree Branch noted above. Suspending service on these Commuter Rail lines allows crews to be more productive during the planned work during these weekends thanks to the unencumbered access to the track area.

Riders can find more information on service changes through in-station signage, in-station public announcements, and at mbta.com/alerts. Transit Ambassadors and MBTA staff will be available on-site to offer information and assistance during these service changes. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on X (the site formerly known as Twitter) @MBTA, @MBTA_CR, and @MBTA_CR_Alerts for up-to-date service information.

The MBTA understands how these service changes affect riders’ daily travels during this period, but we are committed to improving your travels long term with more reliable, timely, and safe service. We thank riders for their patience as we deliver this important work and for continuing to ride our system.

Following up to this past spring’s announcement for Green Team awards, I am sending along a reminder for registration for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. The Green Team is an interactive educational program that empowers students and teachers to help the environment through waste reduction, recycling, composting, energy conservation and pollution prevention. Participating classes receive certificates of recognition and are eligible to win awards.

Green Team registrations must be renewed each school year. Registered schools have access to free recycling and composting equipment, idling reduction materials and signage, and more! Click here to register for the 2024-2025 Green Team. (Please note that registrations for the current school year will be accepted through June 2025, so teachers can register after the school year begins.)

Green Teams come in all shapes and sizes, including:

• Facilities Directors seeking free technical assistance and/or equipment to reduce and divert waste at their school
• Classroom Teachers incorporating Green Team curricula and activities into their regular school day
• Staff or Volunteers leading an after school Green Team club
• Principals or Administrators interested in idling reduction materials to improve pick-up and drop-off routines
• Dining Services Staff interested in reducing back-of-house food scrap waste or starting a share table for surplus, edible food
• Student-Led Groups with a staff member or volunteer seeking information about composting on or off-site
• Custodial Staff seeking resources for clear signage to reduce contamination in waste bins
• Retired Teachers taking on the role of Compost Champion at their former schools
• ...and many more possibilities!

More information, including past participants, can be found on the Green Team website (https://thegreenteam.org/)

The MBTA today announced that it is expanding access to reduced fares for income-eligible riders beginning Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The online application is simple and can be completed in English, Spanish, Portuguese, simplified Chinese, Haitian-Creole, or Vietnamese. The launch will also include the availability of in-person support at five locations around the MBTA service area in partnership with Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) and the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) network. An additional 31 locations will become available for service over fall 2024. Following input from critical stakeholder groups, a pool of “early adopters” of the program will be able to apply online beginning Tuesday, August 20, 2024. More information is available at mbta.com/income-eligible.