South Boston Today May 23 24

SouthBoston

What’s Up With The BPS Plan

The State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education entered into an improvement plan with BPS and Mayor Michelle Wu in June 2022 to avert a state takeover of the district. The move came after two state reviews found widespread deficiencies in school district operations and lackluster student achievement in dozens of schools, as reported by the Boston Globe.

Boston Public Schools (BPS) appears to be making progress but also is experiencing delays and other challenges in overhauling transportation, facilities, and programs for students with disabilities and English learners under a 2-year-old state improvement plan, according to a joint presentation by local and state education leaders Tuesday morning.

The district in January released

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Memorial Day Is Special For Patriots All Across Our Nation

What special meaning and significance does the Memorial Day weekend hold for people would probably depend on who you asked. Surely, it signals what many consider the unofficial start to the summer season. Weather permitting, folks look forward to it as a time to perhaps get away for the long weekend on a trip to the beach or the mountains. Back yard family barbecues and cookouts are always popular as are gatherings with friends for parties etc. Perhaps you’ll stay local and relax at home and catch a game or two on TV and enjoy that much deserved extra day off on Monday. To a lot of South Bostonians and patriots all across America, it could be one or more of the above. To us, and people who live in other traditional, what most would consider patriotic communities around the country, it means all of the above yes, but something else as well. It means something far more important than our own personal creature comforts and fun. Memorial Day is set aside to remember and to honor America’s heroes who served in our country’s armed forces and put their lives on the line. It always has and still is in 2024. Many of those brave men and women lost their lives so that all of us could enjoy the freedom and liberty that our Nation’s Founding

Fathers envisioned for us when, with guidance from God, they drew up that amazing document called the Constitution of the United States. South Boston has many sons and daughters who never returned from fighting our country’s battles. On a per capita scale, there may not be another community anywhere that had more. Many people will, this weekend make that solemn journey to a cemetery where a family member is buried and place a wreath or some flowers at a grave site, say a prayer or two and remember those heroes laid to rest. Others will attend a special Church Service, proudly display Old Glory or attend a Memorial Day dedication or parade. All the other activities that come with warm weather and sunshine are part of the tradition as well of course. But as Americans, at least in the opinion of South Bostonians, and all proud Americans, remembering and honoring our veterans; especially those who are no longer among us, should always remain the most important reason for this holiday. We owe it to those heroes to never forget the sacrifices made on our behalf. It makes us proud that so many of our neighbors never have and never will forget.

From all of us here at South Boston Today, Happy Memorial Day.

Maura Healey has appointed James T. Brett as Chair of the Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disability. The Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disability was established in 1993 as part of a final court order issued by Judge Joseph Tauro. The Commission is an independent citizen oversight body consisting of 13 members appointed by the Governor for a term of three years. The Commission was provided with a comprehensive scope and purpose including the ability to a review of public policy in the area of intellectual disability as well as analyzing and identifying systemic areas of concern affecting the human service delivery system within Massachusetts. Mr. Brett will serve a 2-year term ending in May 2026. Governor Healey is the fifth Governor to appoint Mr. Brett as Chair. Mr. Brett has been appointed by Presidents Bush, Obama, and Biden to serve on The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID). Both President Obama and President Biden appointed him as Chair. Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed Mr. Brett to the National Council on Disability. He concluded his term as Vice Chairman.

Governor

TInformation Center The

Butkers Expressed His Views. The Haters Are Melting Down

his week, Americans got to see liberal tolerance on display in the big controversy over a speech made by Kansas City Chief’s star kicker Harrison Butkers. Of course when I used the word tolerance, it was satire. Because if there’s one thing many liberals are definitely not – it’s tolerant. Oh wait, I misspoke. They are tolerant of anyone who agrees with them on every issue. Dare to disagree with them on most anything else and they want you cancelled, fired from your job and in some cases even dead.

Harrison Butkers must have known the backlash he’d get when he was writing his speech he would give to the graduating students at Benedictine College. He’s not just an outstanding athlete; he’s an intelligent guy as well. Yes, it’s a good bet he knew what to expect but didn’t let it stop him from his expressing his beliefs. And while it set all the left wing crazies off like a launched rocket, the students he was addressing him gave him a standing ovation. That this infuriated Hollywood, the media, many Democrat politicians and the NFL, tells us again that they expect everyone – no exceptions, to agree with them or else. What a shock, his Catholic views were well received by Catholic students on a Catholic university. Bottom line is Butkers said nothing wrong. He has a right to his views, has a right to express them and he said nothing wrong. And that he was actually condemned by the NFL – A league famous for the number of wife beaters, drug users, muggers, players guilty of cruelty to dogs and a long list of on its rosters involved in all sorts of other violent felonies pretty much lets us know where the league is coming from.

A group of leftists even got a petition started that demanded that the NFL fire Butkers for expressing views they didn’t like on his own time. This entitlement mentality that so many on the left live

by is why so many Americans have had enough of it. It defines them and speaks to the definition often given when describing what liberalism has become. ‘Anything liberals don’t like must be banned. Everything they DO like must be made a human right and paid for by others. And anyone who disagrees must be a racist, bigot, misogynist, xenophobe, homophobe and any other ‘phobe’ they can think up, when all the while, in reality, it is those on the left who are the most intolerant and hate filled. The late great Rush Limbaugh use to say that leftists are the most miserable people on the planet. They are seldom, if ever happy and their minds are closed tighter than a drum.

Harrison Butkers has not apologized for praising women who may feel that raising a family is more important to them than seeking fame or fortune. And knowing his beliefs, it’s a good bet Butkers never will nor should he. As he said, he loves football, but it’s just his job. His real life; what’s most important to him is his family and his Faith. And there is absolutely nothing wrong in that.

Moving on, when Joe Biden was elected president (with questionable vote tallies) it wasn’t known at the time how bad things would get. Though Trump warned us and predicted what would happen, it was hard to believe that anyone, in such a short period of time, could do so much damage to our country. He has damaged and weakened our military, turned so many major cities into crime infested jungles, ruined what had been a soaring economy, allowed our public school system to be downgraded to low scoring indoctrination centers, caused our border to be overrun by millions of illegal immigrants; many of them dangerous criminals, cartels, human traffickers and people on the terrorist watch list and so many more negatives. A trip to the grocery store to

Note: talk back to John Ciccone by email at

buy food for your family or to the gas station to fill your tank and it’s pretty clear how bad things are out there. Most every poll coming out says that Joe Biden is behind and sinking fast. It’s not surprising at all. Because as one US senator from Texas put it “Voting for Biden in 2024 would be like the Titanic backing up to hit the iceberg again”. And now, to add insult to injury, the Biden Administration saw fit to send a letter to Iran with condolences for the death of probably one of the most brutal and vicious terrorists that ever lived. Iranian President Ebrahim Raises, killed when his aircraft crashed, was known

as the ‘Butcher of Tereran’. He was so evil, he would kill his own people if they disobeyed him. He recently had an Iranian woman shot and killed because she wasn’t wearing the proper Islamic clothing. He spread terrorism and death all over the world and was responsible for many American military personnel attacked and killed. And yet, the Biden Administration sent condolences for his death to a country that chants ‘Death to America’ every day. At his funeral on Tuesday, the chant the Iranian government ordered the mourners was, you can probably guess – ‘Death to America’. How sad is this administration?

SOUTH BOSTON TODAY

John Ciccone

What’s Up With Steward Health

It’s been about four months since the long-simmering financial upheaval at Steward Health Care burst into public view, and lawmakers still aren’t on the same page about how to respond.

Just about everyone on Beacon Hill has been eager to pile on Steward, the for-profit company whose private equity maneuvering undermined hospitals and made it a top public enemy. But those in office have been far less forthcoming about how they plan to use their actual power in response.

The lack of cohesion was on display Wednesday. Senate Presi-

Window Into The State House

Window Into The State House provides our readers a synopsis of important issues of interest, past and current, that are being proposed, debated or acted upon by the Massachusetts Legislature. Many issues that are not related to local city government services are acted upon and have a direct impact on daily life. They are tax policy, transportation infrastructure, judicial appointments, social services and health, as well as higher education. We will excerpt reports from the gavel-to-gavel coverage of House and Senate sessions by news sources focused on this important aspect of our lives. These sources include a look ahead at the coming week in state government and summaries and analyses of the past week, re-caps of a range of state government activity, as well as links to other news.

dent Karen Spilka confirmed yet again that her chamber “will be doing a health care bill,” but the details were as threadbare as they have been for days. “The House just did theirs. The ink has barely dried,” Spilka said about the wide-ranging hospital oversight and cost control bill the House approved a week ago. “We will take a look at theirs, and we are working on our own version.”

That House bill clocks in at 105 pages, so it’s not exactly a beach read. At the same time, Spilka’s emphasis on needing time to review it does not suggest any rapid-fire action or pre-negotiated alignment with House Democrats over timely

reforms. Such is the case within the Senate, too. Minority Leader Bruce Tarr made a point Tuesday night to tout his proposed budget amendment that would effectively call for appointment of a point person to represent Massachusetts in Steward’s bankruptcy case.

Even though Tarr was flanked by Senate Budget Chief Michael Rodrigues while talking with reporters Tuesday, top Democrats gave his idea a noncommittal “we’ll see” a day later. Another open question is how prompt any changes packed into the annual state budget could take effect. Democrats have made a habit in recent years of failing to iron out

National Parks of Boston Participates in “Taps Across America” on Memorial Day

On Monday, May 27 at 3:00 p.m. ET, the National Parks of Boston, USS Constitution, and the USS Constitution Museum will commemorate Memorial Day by participating in “Taps Across America.” This national event honors our nation’s veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America.

At 3:00 p.m. in their respective locations and time zones, thousands of buglers from around the country play “Taps” to acknowledge those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The sites include private ceremonies and public spaces. Observers are asked to remain silent during this time of remembrance.

It is the first time the National Parks of Boston is participating in this program. Taps for Veterans assisted the park in finding buglers to play “Taps” at the Bunker Hill Monument (at the Colonel William Prescott statue) and Charlestown Navy Yard (at the large flagpole at the base of Pier 1). Lisa

Mula of Somerville, MA, a retired Massachusetts state trooper, will perform at the Bunker Hill Monument. John Vetere of Andover, MA, will play at the Charlestown Navy Yard. Vetere is the father of two active-duty service members, one in the U.S. Marine Corps and one in the U.S. Navy. Park staff members will also lay wreaths on Memorial Day at the Bunker Hill Monument and Charlestown Navy Yard.

“The National Parks of Boston is proud to join ‘Taps Across America’ to honor our nation’s veterans this Memorial Day,” said National Parks of Boston Superintendent Michael Creasey. “We encourage the public to join us at the Bunker Hill Monument and Charlestown Navy Yard to pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for us all.”

National Parks of Boston sites, USS Constitution, and the USS Constitution Museum are open to the public on Memorial Day. Constitution and the Museum will also be hosting public programs to commemorate the day.

House and Senate differences until after the July 1 start of the fiscal year. Even if Tarr can sway both House and Senate Democrats to include his Steward special counsel idea in the budget, it seems unlikely it will become law until late June at best, more likely early or mid-July, by which point something might have changed in the bankruptcy case.

WEDNESDAY in the House and Senate

The House unanimously passed veterans service legislation that provides support and resources for veterans across Mas-

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In remembrance of those who gave their lives in defense of freedom.

Cong ressman

Stephen F. Lync h

“On

David Biele

“On this solemn Memorial Day, we honor those who have made the Supreme Sacrifice for our nation to preserve freedom and democracy throughout the world.” - Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, District 2

BPS continued from front page a long-term comprehensive building plan, which laid out a vision of fewer, larger schools with more offerings: multiple core classes in each grade, specialty classrooms and spaces for arts and music, gyms, libraries, and cafeterias, as well as spaces to support special education, such as separate classrooms for students who need it some of the time. The current number of buildings — 119 — is too many, the plan says, given that enrollment in the district has been steadily dropping, more than 13 percent since 2006, to fewer than 49,000 this year.

“The result has been inconsistent and inequitable student experiences, inefficient use of resources, and buildings that don’t fully support a high-quality student experience for every student,” BPS said in its plan. The facilities plan is part of Mayor Michelle Wu’s multibillion-dollar Green New Deal for Boston Public Schools, launched in 2022 with a pledge to spend more than $2 billion overhauling school buildings, partially with an eye toward energy efficiency and climate resilience.

But the plan was short on details: enrollment projections, specific budget proposals, or targets for how many new buildings, renovations, closures, and mergers should take place each year. Anywhere

Window continued from page 4

from a dozen buildings to half the district could be shuttered, according to possible future ranges included in the plan. The plan included an annual planning timeline: each spring, the administration is to submit new proposals to the School Committee for approval. For this year, the plan said, the superintendent was to share proposals with the School Committee in March or April — with a vote at a subsequent meeting “within this time frame.”

Also, in March and April, the plan said, the district would convene an “advisory working group” to consider the proposals and would meet with members of the affected school communities. The advisory committee has met twice, a district spokesman said.

“We recognize that in order to address decades of opportunity and achievement gaps in deferred decision making, we have more work to do to deliver on a promise of an excellent, equitable education for all students,” Boston Superintendent Mary Skipper told the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. “We’re laying a solid foundation so that we can build the systems and structures on which positive student outcomes depend and we are deeply committed to strengthening this work every day.”

In her state of city address, Wu

sachusetts and closely matches the “HERO Act” Gov. Healey filed in November. The Senate has dealt with 862 of the 1,100 amendments filed to the chamber’s Ways and Means fiscal 2025 budget proposal. There has been little outright debate during the first two days, with supported amendments placed in “bundles” and passed with a predetermined vote, reports the News Service’s Colin A. Young. Senators supported amendments on Wednesday including those that would require DESE to teach children about anti-semitism in age-appropriate ways; create a task force to look at required local contributions for Ch. 70 aid; create a task force to study declining UMass system enrollment; and increase DPH funding to purchase naloxone. There are 238 amendments remaining for the final day of Senate budget debate.

Pioneer Institute report looks at housing, building shortage in Boston

A report released today by the Pioneer Institute identifies how longstanding problems — like neighborhood opposition, restrictive zoning laws and land use regulations — make it particularly difficult to build housing in greater Boston. The report looks at recommendations such as density bonuses and expedited permitting, which could play a part in the conversation in the coming years. According to Pioneer Institute’s Andrew Mikula, the data emphasizes that the crisis is occurring at a scale that’s different than the one most solutions address.

presented an optimistic view of BPS future but acknowledged persisting disparities. A written briefing, released by the state before the board meeting, summarized the progress made and the challenges. They include:

— Many school buses continue to run late each month and have yet to meet a monthly on-time performance target of 95 percent or better, a target the district was supposed to meet starting in the fall 2022. In March, just 87.8 percent of buses were punctual, according to the briefing.

— Seventeen out of 19 new program proposals for multilingual learners BPS wanted to roll out, starting this fall, fell short of state criteria for those programs, prompting the state to issue corrective actions to BPS to bring them into alignment. As of now, only two programs will move forward for this fall.

— BPS was a year late in submitting a plan in October 2023 to overhaul special education, but the resulting document should go a long way in reducing the disproportionate number of male students of color with disabilities who are educated in substantially separate classrooms. Partial implementation is slated to begin this fall.

— BPS has created an improved system for managing, responding

to, and resolving complaints from parents and guardians about student safety. However, the district does not have a current memorandum of understanding with the Boston Police Department, detailing how and when law enforcement should intervene. — BPS met a state deadline in submitting a long-term facilities plan last December, but the state noted in its briefing that the document lacked a timeline for implementation and did not include enrollment projections, which are vital for planning large-scale renovations, mergers, and closures. The completion of bathroom renovations in 14 schools were late, while renovations at two other schools are still delayed “due to various construction-related challenges.”

Boston School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson said the district remains deeply committed to remedying the problems, but also said it will take time. “We are responsible for fixing more than 100 years of neglect deeply rooted in racism,” Robinson told the state board. “Now is the time to work with urgency to right the wrongs of the past and address the deep systemic problems. And progress is happening.” Katherine Craven, chair of the state board, reminded board members that Boston is the largest district in the state, saying “It’s no easy task what these folks have in front of them.”

Housing prices on Cape forcing police, fire officers to live outside of communities they serve

Housing barriers on Cape Cod are making it increasingly difficult for first responders to live in, or near, the communities they serve — a result of high housing prices and long commutes if officers are forced further away. In the case of the latter, the extra time officers need to respond to serious situations causes delays in emergency response. Affordable housing is low in inventory in all Cape communities, however, and most people are priced out of the market. Communities are turning focus to rental units, year-round rental incentives for locals, and increasing building stories to attempt to solve the problem.

Harvard Corporation rules no diplomas for students disciplined for partaking in pro-Palestinian encampment

After Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences voted to grant diplomas to the 13 students facing disciplinary action due to their participation in the pro-Palestine Harvard Yard encampment, the Harvard Corporation rejected the recommendation. The governing board cited the Harvard College handbook in its decision, and will allow students to participate in ceremonies but not receive degrees. Based on student communication with interim president Alan Garber, students say they were led to believe that if the encampment was dismantled, seniors would be able to graduate.

Councilor Flynn Files Hearing Order on City Proposal to Remove Half Mile Buffer Zone between Cannabis Establishments

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn has filed a hearing order to discuss a proposed zoning amendment to remove the half mile buffer zone between cannabis establishments. The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) recently held a public meeting on a proposed zoning amendment on Cannabis Establishments, in which a part of the amendment calls for the removal of the half-mile buffer requirement between cannabis establishments in the City.

Since the legalization of cannabis in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2016, 30 active

Where

to Use and Not Use Your Barbecue GrillRules and Safety Tips for 2024

Everyone knows that we are well into spring and will soon be deep into the summer

dispensaries have opened in various neighborhoods in the City of Boston. Currently, the Boston Zoning Code requires a buffer zone between schools and dispensaries, as well as a half mile buffer zone between cannabis establishments, which was a measure passed in the City Council in 2016.

The buffer is intended to prevent cannabis establishments from opening in clusters so that no particular neighborhood would become the center for cannabis shops, and to ensure that dispensaries are spread out in the city. Allowing the halfmile buffer to lapse could create a similar dynamic to existing package

season when the usual summertime activities will probably be going. One of the greatest pleasures in the warm months is of course the fine art of grilling or barbecuing. Each year, South Boston Today receives inquiries by residents about what the rules are within the city limits as far as where grills are legally allowed to be used and where they are prohibited and this is still the case in 2023. In response, we did some checking and with the help of some neighbors and city officials and of course with our friends on the Boston Fire Department, we obtained the info some of you have been curious about.

Now first and foremost we want to be clear, no one here at SBT is trying to tell you where or how to use your grill; that’s not for us to decide, but here are the restrictions you should be aware of. And the reason for concern is that there have been incidents of grills causing fires over the years here in the neighborhood. We live in the city and the houses are close together. An out of control grill fire could cause not only a tragedy to the people using the grills but to surrounding homes as well.

(The following does not apply to the use and storage of Natural

and liquor stores in the City. This change could potentially saturate the market, harm existing operators, and cause both existing and new operators to either walk away from current community agreements with relevant civic organizationsor refuse to engage with neighbors entirely due to competition.

“For several years, I have consistently heard from constituents who have voiced their support for the half-mile buffer zone. They view this restriction as both a safeguard for the community voice and against the potential negative impacts on quality of life issues,” said Councilor Flynn. “Many com-

Gas grills permitted through ISD and installed by a licensed installer in accordance with proper codes and standards but does apply to the standard type charcoal and LP (propane) grills commonly used.)

Charcoal Grills: These are not allowed to be used on top of or within a building or a structure per order of the Boston Fire Dept.

LP (propane) Grills: City of Boston regulations prohibit the use and storage of the propane tanks or containers inside or on balconies above the first floor of any building or structure used for habitation. Also on first floor porches, decks or balconies enclosed by a roof/ceiling or other confining material and never on fire escapes or fire escape balconies.

At Castle Island and some park areas, there are designated areas where you can use them, but if it’s your goal to stay within the law, it is recommended that you check for signage regarding outdoor cooking. But here is a very important rule to follow: Wherever you decide to grill, if you are using charcoal, please – PLEASE, do not discard the hot coals where people; especially young children could get burned by stepping on or falling on them or dogs might

munities have existing dispensaries, along with nearby daycares, student population, and nonprofits that also service vulnerable neighbors in close proximity. Removing the half-mile buffer zone can exacerbate existing public safety challenges and quality of life issues.

We need to engage our citywide constituents in a public hearing and listen to the residents of Boston on this issue.”

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@ Boston.gov.

come in contact with the hot embers. Hot coals can cause serious injuries. Boston Fire Department officials also urge all to keep grills clean for safety reasons.

Well readers, these are the rules put forth by the city that some of you have been asking about. Do with this information what you wish but please, by all means, this spring and summer when using your grills; do so carefully for your own personal safety, the safety of your family and guests and for your surrounding neighbors as well.

(Note: On July 30th, 2014, the City of Boston updated its regulations for the use of outdoor cooking grills by adding Article XXXIII to the code and these rules are still in place in 2023. To view, in detail these rules and regulations and for safety tips to consider when barbecuing, you can log onto the Boston Fire Department web page at www.cityofboston/fire and go to the link titled ‘Barbecue Safety Info’.)

The Story of the Poppy

The poppy flower only grows in the absence of other flowers and only in ground that has been churned. In perhaps the best-known poem of World War 1, when Dr. John McCrae observed poppies growing between the crosses on the soldiers’ graves, it inspired him to write the poem In Flanders Fields.

The poppy has since become known as “The Flower of Remembrance” and is worn in memory of our veterans.

Remembrance of Memorial Day

As you visit the cemetery on this Memorial Day please do not remove the coins you may see left upon the headstones, they have a special significance.

The Meaning of Coins On A Headstone

A penny, you stopped and paid your respects.

A nickel, you attended bootcamp with them.

A dime, you served in the armed forces with them.

A quarter, you were with the soldier when they were KIA.

In

Flanders Fields

BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Aquarium to mark World Ocean Day with free programming on Saturday, June 1

The

New England Aquarium is marking World Ocean Day with free activities on Central Wharf for the public to learn about ways

to

ensure a healthy future for the ocean.

People of all ages are invited to Central Wharf on Saturday, June 1, for a day of special educational programming along Boston’s waterfront. While June 8 traditionally marks World Ocean Day, the Aquarium is celebrating a week early. This year’s World Ocean Day celebration is centered around the theme “Connecting Communities, Empowering Action for Our Ocean,” with expanded offerings, partners, and community members that work to protect the ocean, including the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag, art from young artists with the Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Program, and Java with Jimmy.

There will be a variety of activities available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both outside the Aquarium and in the Simons Theatre that is free to all, plus some educational opportunities inside the aquarium for guests who purchase tickets. Free programming will include:

• “Ask a Scientist” booth –Aquarium scientists will be on Central Wharf Plaza to share their work protecting the ocean and the

amazing species that live there. Each hour of the day will have a different theme.

• Life-size humpback whale –Representatives from NOAA Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary will join the celebration on the plaza, alongside a 43-foot humpback whale named “Salt” (weather permitting).

• Interactive fish weir building –Join members of the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag to participate in a hands-on fish weir building activity, providing attendees with an immersive experience into traditional fishing practices.

• Youth art exhibition – Featuring ocean and climate themes, art created by young people participating in Bow Seat’s Ocean Awareness Contest will be on display in both the Harbor View Terrace Tent and Simons Theatre.

• More programming details can be found on the Aquarium’s blog. Programming for guests who purchase tickets:

• Special presentations – Aquarium staff will deliver short presentations focused on the many ways the Aquarium takes care of our

animal communities and how we all can take action within our own communities to protect animals all over the world. The programming will be available at the penguin exhibit, the top of the Giant Ocean Tank, in the New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center, and at the Atlantic harbor seal habitat.

• North Atlantic right whale cart activity – This tabletop activ-

ity highlights collaborative efforts of scientists, the fishing community, and the government to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, focusing particularly on the implementation of ropeless or “on-demand” fishing gear.

The Aquarium’s summer hours, beginning May 26, are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Tickets can be reserved in advance at neaq.org.

An Aquarium trainer interacts with a young guest during World Ocean Day 2023. CREDIT: New England Aquarium

South Boston Catholic Academy & Parish News

We celebrated the Feast Day of the Ascension of Jesus and this Mass was also dedicated to Mr. Peter Lynch

The second graders at South Boston Catholic Academy wonderfully led the school in celebrating the Feast Day of the Ascension of Jesus Christ. The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ commemorates the Christian belief of the Ascension of Jesus’ body and soul into Heaven. It is one of the ecumenical feasts of Christian churches, ranking with the feasts of the Passion and Pentecost. Father Peter was the cel -

ebrant at this Mass. In his homely he stressed how it was better for us that Jesus went back to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to be with us forever. Jesus said...”I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever. The Helper is the Spirit of truth. The people of the world cannot accept him, because they don’t see him or know him. But you know him. He lives with you, and he will be in you.” “I will not

leave you all alone like orphans. I will come back to you”...John 14. Jesus said “Behold I am with you always, even until the end of age” - Matthew 28 . Thank you to the second grade Teachers, Ms. Caitlyn Jackson and Ms. Megan Leslie for helping to prepare their students for this Mass. Thank you also to our talented SBCA Children’s Choir and to Mr.Carlo Bunyi and Ms. Kathy Clancy for the beautiful music at this Mass and to our dedicated Altar Servers. This Mass was also dedicated to Mr. Peter Lynch. He is the President of the The Lynch Foundation which supports the religious and educa-

tional efforts of the Roman Catholic Church, with a desire to inspire faith and hope in people’s lives. Quoting from part of the welcoming speach read by one of the second graders at this Mass...”The Lynch Foundation continues to be a generous benefactor to South Boston Catholic Academy. We are eternally grateful for Mr. Peter Lynch, and The Lynch Foundation, in their support of our Early Childhood Program. God Bless you and Thank you, Mr. Lynch! New families are welcome to email our admissions team at admissions@sbcatholicadacademy.org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.

St. Peter Academy Spirit Week

What a fantastic Spirit Week we had celebrating St. Peter Academy. The entire school joined in all the fun. The week was filled with themed days Superhero Day, Tourist Tuesday, Wacky Hat Day,

Mismatch Day, and Career Day. This busy week happened, and the classrooms did not miss a beat in their learning schedules. We have been growing plants, keeping up with reading and math lessons, preparing for year-end assessments

and practicing for our Year End Show at the Lawn on D. It is a busy time at St. Peter Academy! St. Peter Academy is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year. St. Peter Academy is an independent, communitybased private school and serves students from ages 15 months through grade 6. SPA is currently accepting applications for the limited spaces available in the year-round toddler program (beginning at age 15 months) and

for students in Pre-K (School Year and Full Year Programs), Kindergarten and grades 1-6. Financial Aid Available. Numerous Scholarships will be offered this year for applicants for Grades 1 through 6. You may request scholarship information from the Front Office (spa@stpeteracademy.com). Appointments for individual virtual tours can be made by contacting Maria Blasi, at 617-268-0750 or by emailing spa@StPeterAcademy.com.

REP. BIELE VOTES TO PASS HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION TO INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY AND CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

Last week, State Representative David Biele joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing comprehensive legislation that aims to restore stability to the health care system, bolster accountability within the industry, and control health care spending to ensure that everyone in Massachusetts has access to quality, affordable health care. The bill also includes important updates to how the Commonwealth regulates and monitors the health care market, informed by the Steward Health Care crisis.

”This bill addresses loopholes in our health care system by bolstering consumer protections and increasing accountability, while ensuring that residents have access to quality, affordable health care,” said Rep. Biele. “I was proud to join my colleagues in the House in passing this important legislation to remedy exploitation in our state health care system.”

Strengthening oversight

To prevent hospitals and other providers from exploiting the same gaps in the state’s regulatory structure that Steward Health Care exposed, the House bill makes important updates to the Commonwealth’s laws that govern the oversight of hospital systems and other provider organizations.

The legislation:

• Increases transparency related to the corporate structure of hospitals and other provider organizations by requiring disclosure of significant for-profit investment, including any private equity investments, and empowers the state’s Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) to gather more financial data on hospitals and other provider organizations;

• Enhances penalties for failure to comply with data reporting requirements, including increased financial penalties, adverse consequences for licensure, and withholding approvals of future projects;

• Empowers the Health Policy Commission (HPC) to scrutinize certain transactions more closely for anticompetitive impacts, such as significant equity investments that result in a change of ownership or control of a hospital, conversion of a hospital from a non-profit to a for-profit entity, and a significant transfer of a hospital’s assets; and

• Expands the Attorney General’s authority to seek information from significant equity investors, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and management service organizations as part of that office’s statutory authority to monitor and investigate health care trends, and exposes entities with an ownership or controlling interest in a provider organization to potential

liability under the state’s False Claims Act if the entity knew, but did not report, that a provider organization was defrauding MassHealth, for example.

The bill also makes important reforms to prevent acute care hospitals from selling their most valuable asset, their land, to REITs. When Steward sold their hospital properties to Medical Properties Trust (MPT) in 2016 for $1.25 billion, Steward agreed to lease back their former properties from MPT for exorbitant rents, syphoning away important resources and depriving the hospital operations and patients from needed investments. The House bill prohibits the future leasing of land from REITs for the operation of a hospital’s in-patient facilities and requires increased disclosure of other lease arrangements as part of the licensure process with the Department of Public Health (DPH).

In response to the tragic death of a patient at one of Steward’s hospitals, the bill also improves patient safety by ensuring that DPH is notified if a hospital’s medical or surgical supplies are at risk of repossession because of a hospital’s financial condition. The bill requires a secured creditor or vendor of medical equipment to notify the hospital and DPH of a possible repossession of equipment 60 days before the intended repossession.

Addressing the rising cost of health care

to review health insurance rates for affordability for consumers and purchasers of health insurance products. Currently, the same state agency that reviews auto insurance policies reviews health insurance, an insurance product that is essential to the wellbeing of residents and an important aspect of one of the Commonwealth’s largest economic sectors. This bill raises the assessments on insurance companies to pay for increased staff to give health insurance products the scrutiny they deserve.

Stability and planning

To address the rising cost of health care in Massachusetts, the bill reforms the HPC and the health care cost growth benchmark by establishing a benchmark-setting process that is more responsive to market pressures, while also raising expectations on providers to meet the Commonwealth’s cost containment goals. The bill gives the HPC increased enforcement authority when a health care entity exceeds the benchmark, and when a first performance improvement plan (PIP) is not successful, by allowing the HPC to suggest elements of a new PIP and to conduct Cost and Market Impact Review (CMIR), which may result in a referral to the Attorney General

The bill also establishes a dedicated Division of Health Insurance (DOHI)

The bill establishes a Health Resource Planning Council to produce a five-year plan on how to address regional and state capacity issues, which will be housed within a reformed HPC.

The bill recommits to comprehensive state and regional health resource planning and requires consideration of the state plan in the Determination of Need (DoN) process. It also creates new license categories for urgent care centers and office-based surgery centers, as well as a new registration requirement for physician practices with more than 10 physicians. The bill also requires physicians to notify patients 90 days prior to terminating a patient-physician relationship, which was partly informed by Compass Medical’s abrupt closure of its physician group practice locations in May 2023.

The bill passed the House of Representatives with a 152-1 vote. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Now that the NFL Draft has passed and the New England Patriots’ 2024 schedule has been released, it’s time to put eyes on the upcoming season as they begin Organized Team Activities.

First thing’s first, the schedule. As of now, the Pats will have only two nationally-televised regularseason games: Week 3 against the New York Jets at MetLife on Thursday Night Football, and Week 7 in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars on a Sunday morning. So, no Sunday Night Football, and no Monday Night Football. Crazy. But I understand.

The Patriots currently have the second-worst odds to win the Super Bowl, at +18000. The only team with worse odds is the Carolina Panthers at +30000.

I’m still a little shocked to watch Jerod Mayo press conferences instead of Bill Belichick. But I think it’s important to hear what he has to say. So here are a few of his answers from this week’s press conference early on at OTAs:

Q: Specific to the quarterbacks, what are you looking to see from them in this setting?

Jerod Mayo: Well, it depends what quarterback you’re talking

about. I would say, from a holistic standpoint, it’s just about progress. Today, it won’t be perfect, and I don’t expect them to be perfect, but you want to make sure you see these guys going in the right direction from an execution standpoint.

Q: As you guys build this offense, this playbook, is this sort of Alex Van Pelt’s offense? Is this an offense for your two quarterbacks? Is this an offense for Jacoby [Brissett]?

JM: All these quarterbacks have, let’s say, a similar skillset. It’s an AVP [Alex Van Pelt] offense. And once again, sometimes I think we read too much into that stuff, especially when you’re talking about early downs, which is really the primary focus this week is early downs and not third down. Once you get to third down, it’s a little bit more exotic, and you can say, “oh, this is an Alex Van Pelt offense,” or whoever you want to use.

Q: With four quarterbacks, what is the plan when it comes to splitting up the reps?

JM: You’ll see today. But honestly, all these guys will get opportunities. It’s really not about how many reps here and there, it’s about the quality of the reps that you get. That’s what I preach.

This week,

Danny shared his thoughts on the New England Patriots as they began OTAs this week:

Q: What progress did you see out of Drake Maye during rookie minicamp?

JM: Yeah, I thought Drake did a great job not only progressing on the field, but also off the field. You can already tell like he is going to put in that extra work. You know, I walked by the quarterback meeting room, he’s just in there by himself, watching film. Those are the things that you want to see. I am excited to see his growth going forward.

Q: How do you view the competition in the wide receiver room?

JM: It’s a wide-open competition. We have some young bulls, we have some older players. We have guys who are really unproven. So, this is an opportunity for them to really get a leg up going forward, especially when you don’t have a guy like [Kendrick] Bourne out here during the spring. Guys will have opportunities.

Q: JuJu [Smith-Schuster] had a tough year last year with physical issues. What have you seen from him so far? That room is pretty crowded.

JM: Yeah, the room is definitely crowded. He looks good. He’s moving around well. We’ll see today when they’re actually going against

someone else, but he looks good and it is a question for the end of the spring, honestly.

Q: A lot of the focus has been on Drake and Jacoby, and even Joe [Milton III] a little bit. One person we haven’t talked about a lot is Bailey Zappe. What have you seen from him this offseason and how has he improved in your eyes?

JM: Honestly, I think about Zap [Bailey Zappe] as a true professional. You know, we drafted two quarterbacks. Obviously, he is going to be competing with those guys, but at the same time, he is an open book. He is a resource. He has started games in this league, and that’s more than the other two quarterbacks can say.

Q: Going to Kendrick [Bourne] for a second, you mentioned not having him for the spring. What is the timeline to have him on the field?

JM: Honestly, it’s a week-by-week type of thing. We hope to get him out here, but he won’t be out here during the spring, I can tell you that. So, we’ll see going forward. That’s more information than you normally would get, right?

Follow Danny on instagram @ DannyPicard.

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BRUINS’ SEASON ENDED BY PANTHERS FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR

SBT Staff

The Boston Bruins have been eliminated. And once again, it was the Florida Panthers who sent them home with a playoff loss.

Florida defeated the Bruins, 2-1, in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals last weekend, ending Boston’s season for the second consecutive playoffs. Last year, the Panthers eliminated the Bruins in the first round.

Now, Florida advances to the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Bruins attempt to figure out what went wrong.

“I’m just overwhelmed with emotions,” Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman told reporters after the Game 6 loss. “It’s not about me as an individual, it’s about our team, and to see it all end so abruptly is something you never want to feel, and I’m just so proud of everyone and being here and setting the foundation for what’s to come next.”

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Swayman was the Bruins’ best player throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs, and so, a second-round exit seems like a wasted opportunity for the B’s who had a goaltender standing on his head.

“It was an honor to coach them because of the hard work and the competitiveness that they brought throughout the year,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery told the media after the loss. “That was the biggest thing I wanted to get across, and that you’re never happy when you don’t win your last game of the year. And some players had tremendous growth this year, and they can be proud of that and in the end, we have to find ways to get better and win our last game of the year.”

Of course, only one team ends the season winning their last game of the year. The Bruins will have to try again next season. But for now, the front office knows there’s some work that needs to be done this offseason.

On Wednesday, the team held its annual end-of-season press conference. And general manager Don Sweeney addressed the elephant in the room: a need for scoring when it matters most.

“At the end of the day, the other team’s having difficulty to score, and as teams move through the playoffs, things tighten up,” said Sweeney at the press conference on Wednesday.

“You have to find a way. We didn’t get inside quite enough in rebound situations that we might have been able to take advantage of. So there are some things that we need to address, and I need to address from a standpoint of free agency and or internal growth.”

“We have to complement — I have to be able to find some players that can come in and provide secondary scoring for us at key times,” added Sweeney.

“We are in a situation where we can look to add to our core group of guys. We’re going to be aggressive, to be able to complement what we currently have in some areas.”

But as for the players the Bruins currently have, one key piece is about to become a free agent: Jake DeBrusk.

DeBrusk said there’s a “path” for him to return to Boston next season, but on Wednesday, Sweeney was quick to point out that “a negotiation is a two-way street.”

“We took an aggressive position with Jake,” said Sweeney. “No different than with other players who have chosen not to re-sign and explore. That’s within his right, certainly at this time of year.

“Do I see a path? Yeah, there’s a path,” added Sweeney. “I told him that in our exits. He’s been a big part of our group. He elevated in the playoffs. I would prefer to have Jake DeBrusk on our team. But he has

some opportunity in front of him that he may pursue otherwise. So I don’t have a clear answer for you today. But I know the position we’ve taken. We feel very comfortable. But it didn’t get it to the finish line.”

It sure sounds as if DeBrusk is going to test free agency. But either way, the Bruins will have money to spend, as they have more than $20 million in cap space. But will they spend that money on DeBrusk? Only time will tell.

Another player to keep an eye on is goaltender Linus Ullmark. Ullmark was an All Star last year, but Swayman was Boston’s go-to guy between the pipes in these playoffs. And Swayman was certainly not the reason the Bruins lost. In fact, Swayman was the the biggest reason the Bruins even advanced to the second round. So if Swayman’s their man, it would make sense to entertain trading Ullmark, who enters the final year of his contract next season at a cap hit of $5 million.