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Whittier Tech Students Compete in Boston Eco-Carpentry Challenge

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Maureen Lynch, Superintendent
115 Amesbury Line Road
Haverhill, MA 01830

For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: jessica@jgpr.net

Whittier Tech Students Compete in Boston Eco-Carpentry Challenge

HAVERHILL — Whittier Tech carpentry students turned trash into treasure for this month’s Boston Eco-Carpentry Challenge, taking a pile of discarded office furniture and creating two carnival games.

The annual contest promotes recycling and gives students the opportunity to showcase their creativity by transforming old pieces into something new.

Over the past three months, 22 sophomores and one senior took apart cabinets, tables and office partitions that were given to Whittier by The Furniture Trust, a nonprofit that puts on the challenge. They used those supplies to build Skeeball and Plinko games.

To create the games, students used lathes to make the 4-inch balls that players roll up the Skeeball table, and they also crafted pucks that get placed at the top wall of the Plinko game then slip down the slotted walls to earn points.

Students had their work judged against eight other participating schools during the challenge event on May 10 at District Hall in Boston. A team of judges awarded the Whittier team with the Best Craftsmanship award. This is the fourth year Whittier has entered the competition

“The students had a great time and our entry was swarmed with people all night playing our games and admiring the other items they had made,” said Carpentry Teacher Mark Whittier, who worked with students during the project. “The Eco-Carpentry Challenge illustrates the value of recycling and allows students to hone the skills they’ve learned in the classroom to create fun projects that can be used long after the furniture’s original lifespan.”

Participating carpentry students include: sophomores Ethan Burridge, of Groveland, Dylan Fraize, of Amesbury, Jyrell Ruiz, of Lawrence, Aristotle Campbell, of Merrimac, Max Ouellette, of Newbury, Cody Hadley, Brendan Gallagher, Angelica Cintron, Ricky Flores, Nathan Charoux, Siarra Cronin, Jared Recillas, Angel Alvarado, Alanna Stafford, Tyler Wetherbee, Emily Wilson, Nicholas Glynn, Cody Littlefield, Adam Taschereau, Brian Skaff, Killian Barry and senior Desiree Michaud, all of Haverhill.

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Massachusetts State House Displays Melrose Middle School Gay/Straight Alliance Posters

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Melrose Public Schools
Superintendent Cyndy S. Taymore
360 Lynn Fells Parkway
Melrose , MA 02176

For Immediate Release

Friday, March 16, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Massachusetts State House Displays Melrose Middle School Gay/Straight Alliance Posters

MELROSE — Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School (MVMMS) and Melrose High School students made a special trip to the State House this winter where several posters created by the Gay/Straight Alliance were on display.

The posters were hung up during the week of Gov. Charlie Baker’s State of the Commonwealth address and are intended to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the LGBT community.

MVMSS and MHS students’ work marked the first time a display focusing on issues related to LGBT youth has been presented in the galleries of the State House.

Modeled after the Duke University’s “You Don’t Say?” campaign, the posters encourage people to think before they speak and to realize the negative implications words can have on others.

MVMMS students in the Gay/Straight Alliance — some of whom are now in ninth grade — began working on the project two years ago. Each poster features an image of a MVMMS student and a corresponding statement. “I don’t say ‘it’s just a phase’ because kids know who they are,” one poster reads, and another declares, “I don’t say ‘that’s so gay’ because your sexual orientation is not an insult.”

On Jan. 22, six students who were part of the project visited the State House for a special reception to see their work on display. Principal Brent Conway and GSA advisers Elizabeth Colgan and Bert Whittier also attended.

State Sen. Jason Lewis and state Rep. Paul Brodeur made a special appearance at the reception and spoke to students about the importance of the posters’ messages. They also encouraged the eighth and ninth graders to continue to draw attention to issues surrounding justice and equality for all.

“This reception marked the culmination of years of hard work by these six students,” Principal Conway said. “We’re extremely proud of this group for creating a campaign that prompts students to rethink common misconceptions and act and speak in a way that encourages inclusivity.”

Following the reception, Rep. Brodeur’s aide Patrick Prendergast led students on a detailed and informative tour of the State House, which included a hallway press briefing by Gov. Baker, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.

The posters are now on display at MVMMS.

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*Media Advisory* Governor Baker to Give Opening Remarks at Inaugural P.A.A.R.I. National Law Enforcement Summit

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PAARI_Logo_PUB_052815-06

P.A.A.R.I.
John Rosenthal, Co-founder & Chairman
186 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

*Media Advisory*

Governor Baker to Give Opening Remarks at Inaugural P.A.A.R.I. National Law Enforcement Summit 

More than 200 Leaders from Around the Country to Attend

GLOUCESTER — The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.) is pleased to welcome law enforcement leaders from throughout the nation next week at its first National Law Enforcement Summit.

The event, which is the first of its kind, will bring more than 200 leaders from 27 states and the District of Columbia to Boston. It is completely open to press, and a schedule of speaking programs is attached below.

WHO: 

  • Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker
  • Sandro Galea, Dean, Boston University School of Public Health
  • John Rosenthal, P.A.A.R.I. Co-Founder and Co-Chairman
  • Frederick Ryan, P.A.A.R.I. Co-Chairman, Police Council Chairman and Arlington Police Chief
  • Allie Hunter McDade, P.A.A.R.I. Executive Director
  • P.A.A.R.I. National Police Council Members
  • More than 200 law enforcement leaders

WHEN:

  • Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

WHERE:

Boston University School of Medicine

72 East Concord St. (14th floor), Boston

 

WHAT:

The P.A.A.R.I. National Law Enforcement Summit is a groundbreaking event that will connect law enforcement leaders from around the country who have changed their approach to the opioid epidemic in their communities and taken the lead in preventing overdose deaths and providing access to addiction treatment and recovery.

Over 200 police leaders from agencies of all sizes will be in attendance at the summit, which will include a keynote address from Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

The summit will empower law enforcement agencies to outline their successes and challenges in combating the nationwide opioid epidemic, and will serve as a platform for the sharing of ideas on how to build upon, or launch, a pre-arrest addiction and recovery referral program in order to provide those struggling with addiction with the help they need.

MEDIA LOGISTICS:

There will be opportunities for television, radio and print/online media interviews, and staff will be on-site to assist media. Law enforcement leaders from the following states will be in attendance and are generally available for interviews: Arizona, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. 

Affiliates may be interested in drawing from their local stations. Boston has NBC (NBC Boston/New England Cable News and Telemundo), CBS (WBZ), Hearst (ABC affiliate WCVB), Sunbeam (WHDH) and Cox Media (Fox affiliate WFXT) television news broadcast stations. 

SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, December 5

 

8:30 a.m. — Networking Breakfast

9 a.m. — Welcome from Chief Frederick Ryan, P.A.A.R.I. Co-Chairman, Arlington, Mass.

9:20 a.m. — Welcome from Sandro Galea, Dean, BU School of Public Health

9:30 a.m.  — Welcome from John Rosenthal, P.A.A.R.I. Co-Founder and Co-Chairman

9:45 a.m. — Introduction of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker from Chief Frederick Ryan and John Rosenthal

10 a.m. — Remarks from Gov. Charlie Baker

10:15 a.m. — Opioid Epidemic and P.A.A.R.I. 101

  • Allie Hunter McDade, P.A.A.R.I. Executive Director, Boston
  • John Rosenthal, P.A.A.R.I. Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, Gloucester
  • Chief Frederick Ryan, P.A.A.R.I. Co-Chairman, Arlington

11 a.m. — Intake Programs 101

  • Lt. Jeremiah Nicastro, Gloucester
  • Chief Robbie Moulton, Scarborough, Maine
  • Sgt. Brittney Garrett, Jeffersontown, Kentucky
  • Katie Donovan, Hope Not Handcuffs, Macomb County, Michigan

Noon — Networking Lunch

12:30 p.m. — Outreach Programs 101

  • Chief Frederick Ryan, Arlington
  • Sgt. Mike Braley, Everett, Washington
  • Dan Cortez, Community Engagement Specialist, Chelsea
  • Kelly Pompilio, Police Social Worker, Alexandria, Kentucky
  • Chief Ed Walsh, Taunton

1:30 p.m. — How do we know this is working?

  • Dr. Davida Schiff, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Sean Varano, Kelley Research Associates and Roger Williams University
  • Tomoko Udo, University of Albany School of Public Health
  • Capt. Dave Batchelor, Chelsea

2:15 p.m. — How do we include the recovery community?

  • Tito Rodriguez, P.A.A.R.I. Care Advocate & Outreach Worker, Gloucester
  • Cody Desmond, P.A.A.R.I. AmeriCorps Recovery Coach, Lynn
  • Steve Lesnikoski, P.A.A.R.I. Care Advocate & Outreach Worker, Essex County
  • Margie Taylor, P.A.A.R.I. AmeriCorps Program Coordinator, Burlington

3:15 p.m. — Spotlight on Essex County Sheriff’s Department

  • Sheriff Kevin Coppinger
  • Gary Barrett, Community Relations Coordinator
  • Darya Maslova, Assistant Director of Programs

3:45 p.m. — Closing Remarks from Chief Frederick Ryan

Wednesday, December 6

 

8:30 a.m. — Networking Breakfast

9 a.m. — Welcome from Chief Danny Langloss, P.A.A.R.I. Police Council Member, Dixon, Illinois

9:30 a.m. — Remarks from Gil Kerlikowske on criminal justice research on the opioid crisis

10 a.m. —  Remarks from Sarah Gordon Chiaramida, Massachusetts Association of Health Plans

10:15 a.m. —  How do we make an evidence-based treatment referral?

  • Dr. Alexander Walley, Boston Medical Center
  • Dr. Sarah Wakeman, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Dr. Shorta Yuasa, Lahey Health Behavioral Services

11 a.m. — Spotlight on Plymouth County Outreach

  • Chief Scott Allen, East Bridgewater
  • Chief Michael Botieri, Plymouth
  • Lt. Richard Linehan, Brockton
  • Hillary Dubois Farquharson, Brockton Area Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative
  • Sarah Cloud,  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Noon — Networking Lunch

12:30 p.m. —  Spotlight on Anne Arundel Safe Stations

  • Maryland State’s Attorney Wes Adams
  • Lt. Steve Thomas
  • Jennifer Corbin, Director of Crisis Response

1:15 p.m. — How do we form behavioral health partnerships?

  • Chief Tom Bashore, Nashville, North Carolina
  • Amanda Flory, Social Worker, Nashville, North Carolina
  • Chief Robert Bongiorno, Bedford
  • Alia Toran-Burrell, Clinician, Central Middlesex County

2 p.m. — Spotlight on New England HIDTA

  • David Kelley, Deputy Director
  • Bryan Volpe, Drug Intelligence Officer, Rhode Island
  • Margaret Hester, Public Health Analyst
  • James Cormier, Drug Intelligence Officer

2:30 p.m. — How do I start a program in my community?

  • Chief Tim Lentz, Covington Louisiana
  • Chief Joseph Solomon, Methuen
  • Sergeant Pat Greenhill, Berea, Ohio
  • Captain Greg Skehan, Burlington

3:45 p.m. — Closing Remarks Chief Langloss and Chief Ryan

 

Quotes:

“The hundreds of law enforcement agencies that have joined P.A.A.R.I. in the fight against addiction have made a tremendous impact and saved numerous lives,” P.A.A.R.I. Co-Founder and Chairman John Rosenthal said. “This summit will give police leaders from communities large and small a chance to share ideas and learn from one another so that they can continue to build upon their success in the fight to end the opioid epidemic.”

“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts relies on the innovative techniques and strategies developed by our local law enforcement officials to fight against the opioid epidemic,” Gov. Charlie Baker said. “We are glad the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative chose to host a summit focused on bringing the best and the brightest in law enforcement together and we look forward to the progress this group can help us make on prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery.”

“Law enforcement has played a critical role in responding to the nationwide opioid epidemic, and we understand that recovery happens in the community,” Chief Ryan said. “I am very encouraged by the projected turnout for the inaugural P.A.A.R.I. National Law Enforcement Summit, and I look forward to sharing our experiences and learning the best practices of my colleagues from around the nation.”

 

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Irish American Police Officers Association to Host Annual Boston Harbor Cruise

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Irish American Police Officers
Association of Massachusetts
3 Brighton St.
Belmont, MA 02478

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Irish American Police Officers Association to Host Annual Boston Harbor Cruise

The Irish American Police Officers Association (IAPOA) is pleased to announce that it will host a Boston harbor cruise on the Frederick L. Nolan Jr. ship next month and invites the public to come aboard for a night of entertainment and sightseeing to benefit several local charities.

WHEN:

Thursday, August 17

Boarding time: 6 p.m.
Sailing: 7-10 p.m.

WHERE:

Sailing from Long Wharf, Boston

WHAT:

IAPOA is hosting its 14th annual boat cruise to raise money for the association and local charities, including Cops for Kids with Cancer, New England C.O.P.S. and various veterans groups.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

Entertainment will be provided by the Irish Whispa and IAPOA pipes and drums, as well as DJ Mike Upton.

“We’re extremely excited to have the Frederick Nolan ship for a night to raise money for several important causes,” IAPOA President Robert Sweetland said. “Sailing around Boston is a great way to spend a summer night and we hope all who are available will join us on board.”

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