Connect with us

Massachusetts

Healey expands universal pre-k across 8 Massachusetts school districts

Published

on

Healey expands universal pre-k across 8 Massachusetts school districts


Universal pre-k in Massachusetts took another step forward Tuesday, with the state expanding funding for the program across eight school districts.

“We know that the high cost of child care is holding back our families, our providers and our economy from their full potential,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “That’s why we have been focused on expanding access to affordable, high-quality preschool, creating new seats for children in Gateway Cities and rural communities across the state.”

The school districts will receive $1.7 million in Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) grants to expand seats and access to preschool programs for all families.

The Healey administrations launched the “Gateway to Pre-K” initiative earlier in the year, committing to expanding universal affordable preschool for all 4-year-olds in 26 cities in Massachusetts by 2026. This investment builds on $16.4 million invested in expanding universal pre-k this fiscal year, and with these new grants, 19 of the 26 cities are now receiving CPPI grants expanding preschool access.

Advertisement

Six districts included in Tuesday’s announcement — in Gloucester, Haverhill, Holyoke, Hoosac Valley, New Bedford and Westfield — will expand their existing universal pre-k programs, adding a total of 259 seats in public and community-based preschool programs.

The remaining two districts in Chicopee and Taunton will receive $50,000 each to draft a plan and work through early implementation for their universal pre-k programs, including putting together a needs assessment, leadership team and community partners.

The CPPI grants work with a range of early education programs to meet the different needs of families, including special education programs. The grants also provide funding for scholarships for working families to receive low or no cost preschool.

Education officials cited the importance of bridging gaps in pre-k access to the development of kids’ “academic and social-emotional skills.”

“This is not just an investment in our children and families, early childhood educators, and local communities—it’s a down payment on the future success of our state,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler.

Advertisement



Source link

Massachusetts

What’s open and closed in Massachusetts on Christmas Day?

Published

on

What’s open and closed in Massachusetts on Christmas Day?


It’s Christmas Day! Time to open presents, be with loved ones and celebrate the beauty of giving. Even on Christmas, there are still a few places you can go for last-minute provisions. But can you go to the bank or post office or catch a bus?

Here’s what is open and closed on Dec. 25, 2024.

Government

City and town offices: Closed

State offices: Closed

Advertisement

Registry of Motor Vehicles: Closed

State and local courts: Closed

Federal courts: Closed

Finance

Banks: Closed. Most ATMs will remain open.

Stock market: Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed.

Advertisement

Alcohol and recreational drugs

Liquor stores: Open

Cannabis dispensaries: Massachusetts regulators don’t identify specific holidays when cannabis dispensaries must close, according to the Cannabis Control Commission. It’s up to the respective cannabis store as to whether they choose to be open or closed on Christmas Day.

Convenience stores and gas stations

Gas stations are allowed to be open on holidays, according to Massachusetts labor laws.

The following gas stations and adjoining convenience stores should be open on Christmas:

  • BP 
  • Citgo
  • Circle K
  • Cumberland Farms 
  • Exxon Mobil 
  • Gulf
  • Irving Oil 
  • Neon Marketplace 
  • Season’s Corner Market
  • Sunoco
  • Shell
  • Speedway 
  • 7-Eleven

Shopping

Auburn Mall: Closed

Holyoke Mall: Closed

Advertisement

Hampshire Mall: Closed

Eastfield Mall: Closed

Natick Mall: Closed

Big Y: Closed

Stop & Shop: Closed

Advertisement

Market Basket: Closed

Price Rite: Closed

Star Market: Closed

Walmart: Closed

Target: Closed

Advertisement

Wegmans: Closed

Safeway: Open

Costco: Closed

CVS: Open

Walgreens: Closed

Advertisement

Aldi: Closed

Whole Foods: Closed

Trader Joe’s: Closed

Parcel services

Post offices: Closed

FedEx: Closed

Advertisement

UPS: Closed

Transportation

Lowell RTA: Lowell RTA will be closed

MBTA: Subway, bus and The RIDE will run on a Sunday schedule. Meanwhile, the Commuter Rail will run on a weekend schedule.

Merrimack Valley RTA: Buses won’t be running

MetroWest RTA: Buses won’t be running

Advertisement

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: Buses won’t be running

Worcester RTA: Buses won’t be running



Source link

Continue Reading

Massachusetts

Massachusetts suspect in

Published

on

Massachusetts suspect in


Massachusetts suspect in “Grinch” pajamas wanted for multiple car break-ins, thefts – CBS Boston

Watch CBS News


Police are seeking a man seen on surveillance cameras wearing “Grinch” pajamas.

Advertisement

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Massachusetts

Massachusetts ‘belligerent’ woman allegedly assaults off-duty police officer in road rage incident

Published

on

Massachusetts ‘belligerent’ woman allegedly assaults off-duty police officer in road rage incident


An off-duty police sergeant was allegedly assaulted by a “belligerent” woman during a road rage incident in the days before Christmas, police said.

Randolph woman Vashiyra Mason, 20, was arrested and charged by Stoughton Police after allegedly striking the off-duty cop’s vehicle and assaulting him.

Stoughton police officers responded to the area of 278 Washington St. for a report of a disturbance on Sunday at about 1:06 p.m.

An off-duty Stoughton police sergeant had called the station and reported that he was following a vehicle that side-swiped his car and left the scene.

Advertisement

Mason had allegedly driven into the oncoming traffic lane and around the off-duty officer’s vehicle on Pine Street, and side-swiped the front of his car. Mason later stopped in a parking lot, where the off-duty officer followed her.

“In the parking lot, the off-duty officer identified himself multiple times as a Stoughton Police sergeant in an attempt to de-escalate the situation,” police wrote about the incident. “Mason became belligerent, using slurs and hitting the off-duty officer in the upper body, neck, and face area.”

The off-duty officer then reportedly restrained Mason to prevent her from injuring him or herself.

The passenger of Mason’s car, a 19-year-old Brockton woman, then allegedly hit the off-duty officer in the back of his head and neck. The passenger also began to attack a woman who was with the off-duty officer.

Officers arrived shortly after, and saw Mason hitting the woman who was with the off-duty officer. Mason allegedly grabbed the woman by her hair, and punched her in the back of the head multiple times.

Advertisement

Mason was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery, disorderly conduct, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Mason’s passenger will be issued a summons to appear in Stoughton District Court on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery, and resisting arrest. Because the suspect is being summonsed and the court has not issued a criminal complaint, her identity cannot be released.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending