Charlie Baker

Medway Middle School Students Win Award for Designing Adaptive Children’s Toy

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Medway Public Schools
Armand Pires, Superintendent
45 Holliston St.
Medway, MA 02053

 

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 7, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Medway Middle School Students Win Award for Designing Adaptive Children’s Toy

MEDWAY –Superintendent Armand Pires is pleased to share that a group of Medway Middle School students won an award this Tuesday for an adaptive toy they designed for the annual Project Lead the Way Children’s Hospital Design Showcase.

Seventh grade students Kelsea Anderson, Lily Bariteau, Ellie Copeland, Caitlin MacNeil, Emma Reardon and Bella Vallieres were among 110 students from 16 Massachusetts schools that attended Mass STEM Hub’s second annual design showcase for Project Lead the Way on Tuesday, June 4, at the Merck Research Laboratories in Boston.

Student groups were challenged to design, test and build an adaptive toy for a child with cerebral palsy for the showcase using their knowledge of the engineering design process, critical measurement and mathematical modeling, computer-aided design and cerebral palsy. Students learned about these concepts in a Design and Modeling Project Lead the Way (PLTW) unit earlier this school year.

At the showcase, students presented their projects to doctors and patients of the cerebral palsy unit of Boston Children’s Hosptial. Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Children’s Hospital CEO Sandra Fenwick also attended the showcase and met with students in the competition.

“This showcase was such a wonderful opportunity for our students to challenge themselves,” Superintendent Pires said. “They created incredibly thoughtful, useful projects, and it’s so exciting to see them using the knowledge they gained this school year to create something meaningful.”

Anderson, Copeland, Reardon and Vallieres were awarded the Practitioners’ Pick award at the showcase, which is given to the project with the most real-world promise at the competition each year. The four students built a multi-functional fidget contraption for the competition, which they designed to support cognitive, sensory and physical therapy for children ages one through 12 with cerebral palsy. The toy features matching, spinning, listening and drawing games for patients to play independently or with an occupational therapist. These features of the toy were designed to engage the cerebral palsy patient’s imagination and senses while strengthening eye-hand coordination.

MacNeil and Bariteau partnered to build a “Toys for Kids Fruit Matcher” toy for the showcase as well, which tasks the patient with matching a soft, squishy “fruit” to a cup the same color as that fruit. MacNeil and Bariteau designed the toy to provide cognitive, physical and sensory therapy to children with cerebral palsy during occupational therapy, and to help patients stretch their finger and hand muscles.

“Project Lead the Way has done a wonderful job of engaging our students and making them excited to learn about STEM topics,” said Medway Middle School Principal Craig Juelis. “This showcase gave students an opportunity to see first-hand how the topics they’re learning about in class can be applied to help others and make an impact in the world, and that’s truly incredible. Congratulations to each of these students on a job well done.”

Project Lead The Way is an initiative of Mass STEM Hub, an organization providing access to and support for premier STEM programming. Project Lead The Way aims to make STEM part of students’ regular school day. The program offers K-12 curriculum in engineering, computer science, and biomedical science that engages students in problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration and communication.

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UPDATE #42 (11 a.m.) Town of Andover, Baker-Polito Administration and MEMA Remind Impacted Customers of Available Housing Options and Provide Home Safety Tips

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018

Media contact: John Guilfoil
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 617-993-0003

Town of Andover, Baker-Polito Administration and MEMA Remind Impacted Customers of Available Housing Options  and Provide Home Safety Tips 

Impacted Columbia Gas customers who choose to be placed in alternative housing should call the Columbia Gas Claims line: 1-800-590-5571

ANDOVER —  As temperatures turn colder, Andover Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan, the Baker-Polito Administration, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and other officials are encouraging impacted residents who are without heat in their homes to seek available alternative housing options, such as hotels, apartments and trailers, if needed. Residents who choose to stay in their homes are asked to take steps to keep warm and safe while they are without heat.

While residents are strongly encouraged to seek alternative housing during cold weather, the Town of Andover and state officials have issued guidance for those who choose to stay in their homes regarding ways to stay warm and, in coordination with Andover Fire Rescue and the state Department of Fire Services, has issued tips for home fire safety.

Residents should not use space heaters if their homes were inspected by an electrician and deemed unsafe for space heater use.

Daytime temperatures in the area over the next week are forecast to be in the 40s and 50s while overnight lows are forecast to be in the 30s and 40s. As announced on October 5, alternative housing is available to customers impacted by the September 13th gas line incident who choose not to stay in their homes as the weather turns colder.  

“Providing housing to those in need is our priority as we plan for the coming weeks. Colder weather is imminent and I encourage residents to take advantage of the alternative housing options that are available,” said Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan. “We will continue to provide the appropriate resources necessary to meet whatever the demand may be and will remain committed to helping our residents get through this period while Columbia Gas and its partners complete the necessary work to restore gas service.”

“We encourage residents, particularly our most vulnerable populations, to seek alternative housing options if you cannot stay warm in your home as temperatures drop,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The team of utility workers, state and local staff will continue to work nonstop to offer services and make repairs, so that families and businesses can safely return to normalcy as soon as possible.  Those choosing to stay home should refrain from using space heaters if electricians or fire officials have determined that they are unsafe for your home and review MEMA’s safety tips.”

“As the weather turns colder, MEMA continues to work closely with Columbia Gas and the impacted communities to ensure that alternative housing options are available for those in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover who do not have heat in their homes,” said MEMA Director Kurt Schwartz. “People do not need to be cold in their homes; hotel rooms, apartments and trailers are available for immediate occupancy by calling Columbia Gas, and a warming center with hot showers is available during the daytime.” 

Housing Alternatives

Residents without heat who feel that it is too cold to stay in their homes, particularly the most vulnerable gas customers, including the elderly, families with young children, and people who have access and functional needs or medical conditions are encouraged to request alternative housing from Columbia Gas. Impacted Columbia Gas customers who choose to be placed in alternative housing should call Columbia Gas’ Claims line: 800-590-5571. A member of the Housing Assistance Team will gather information from the customer, including information about access and functional needs, size and family makeup, and individual and family needs.  This information will be used to identify housing options for customers. Columbia’s Housing Assistance Claim Team will offer customers one of the available housing options including hotel rooms, apartments, travel trailers, and congregate sheltering.

Transportation arrangements will be provided for residents staying in hotels and apartments who do not have their own means of transportation, including Uber and Lyft rideshare services.  Information will be provided to residents during the placement process.

Impacted customers who need immediate relief from cold temperatures can go to the combination warming center and congregate shelter located at IndusPAD, 46 Stafford St. in Lawrence. Columbia Gas customers can visit the shelter during the daytime for hot showers and to use it as a warming center.  The overnight shelter includes cots for sleeping and the shelter will be used to meet short-term demand due to cold weather. Impacted customers can go to this site for immediate shelter at any time of day and can do so without a referral placement from Columbia Gas.

Staying Warm If You Choose to Remain in Your Home

While customers are encouraged to use alternative housing if needed, customers who are still in their homes are reminded that there are ways to reduce the impacts of cold temperatures in your home. If these tips are not enough to keep you warm in your home, call Columbia Gas’ Claims line: 800-590-5571 for housing assistance.

  • Weather proof your home by adding weather stripping to exterior doors, stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors or around window frames to block drafts, and insulating windows with do-it -yourself insulating film.
  • Close curtains at night, and keep them open during sunny days. Cover windows and external doors with extra blankets or sheets to retain heat.
  • If some rooms are heated with electric baseboard heaters or space heaters, centralize activities in the heated rooms and close doors to unheated rooms and hang blankets across hallways.
  • Know the symptoms of, and watch out for cold-related illnesses. Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies.
  • Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions, and those who may need extra help.

Staying Safe If You Choose to Remain in Your Home

While customers are encouraged to use alternative housing if needed, customers who are still in their homes are reminded to use appliances, space heaters, and alternative heating sources safely to prevent fires and carbon monoxide emergencies. Customers who cannot follow these safety tips should not risk fires or carbon monoxide poisoning – – call Columbia Gas’ Claims line: 1-800-590-5571 for housing assistance.

  • Make sure there are working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home and outside each bedroom.
  • Keep space heaters three-feet away from anything that can catch fire. Do not put clothes or anything on the heater and keep children 3-feet away from the heater.
  • Plug space heaters, hot plates, electric skillets or other alternative heating sources directly into the wall; do not use extension cords or power strips.
  • If your home was inspected by an electrician and deemed unsafe for space heater use, do not use one. Doing so could cause an electrical fire.
  • If a space heater, hot plate, or other device trips the breaker or blows a fuse, stop using it right away and call an electrician or ask the landlord to so. More heating safety tips: www.mass.gov/KeepWarmKeepSafe.
  • Practice cooking safety by standing by your pan while cooking, keeping children 3-feet away from cooking appliances, and turn appliances off when not in use. More cooking safety tips.
  • Do not use stoves or cooking appliances for heat which can cause fires.

More tips to stay warm and safe in English and Spanish.

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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: [email protected]

*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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*Joint Release* Georgetown Fire and Police Departments Receive Grant to Boost Technology Sharing

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Georgetown Fire Department
Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Fire Chief
47 Central Street

Georgetown, MA 01833

Donald C. Cudmore, Chief of Police
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 2, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

*Joint Release* Georgetown Fire and Police Departments Receive Grant to Boost Technology Sharing

GEORGETOWN – Fire Chief Fred Mitchell Jr. and Police Chief Donald C. Cudmore are pleased to announce that their departments have received a $69,000 grant that will enable them to better share information and enhance their quality of service to the community.

The grant, awarded through the state’s Community Compact Cabinet Information Technology Grant Program, will provide the departments with the funding they need to transition toward a shared incident reporting software.

Following the upgrade, the departments will have an integrated software platform that will give both agencies access to the same information regarding building layouts, target hazards and infrastructure that is essential when responding to calls.

“We are excited about the opportunity to integrate our systems so that all of Georgetown’s first responders can be on the same page,” Chief Mitchell said. “In emergency situations, it is essential for our departments to work together and this grant will enable us to do that.”

“I am enormously grateful for this grant,” Chief Cudmore said. “I am certain that having our police officers and firefighters on a shared platform will help us provide more efficient and effective service to the people of Georgetown.”

Georgetown received this grant through the Community Compact Initiative put in place by Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito’s administration. The IT Grant Program awards $2 million in funding to spur innovation and technological advancement at the local level in towns and cities across Massachusetts.

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