HYDE SQ.—The Hennigan Elementary School has received $5,000—intended as the seed of a new foundation—from James Hennigan Jr., son of the longtime Jamaica Plain leader for whom the school is named. Hennigan held his 85th birthday party on March 10 in West Roxbury and gave a big gift rather than receiving one: a surprise...
Monthly Archives: March 2012
BPS grad rate up, but JP schools decline
The Boston Public Schools (BPS) graduation rate hit an “all-time high” last year, according to a BPS report. But Jamaica Plain’s high schools showed declines. English High School on McBride Street graduated half of its four-year seniors in 2011, a 9.5 percent drop from the previous year. Greater Egleston Community High School in Egleston...
Librarians return amid scent dispute
HYDE SQ.—Two librarians are returning to the Connolly Branch Library after a fragrance worn by patrons reportedly caused health issues for them, forcing their temporary transfers. It is unclear how the issue was resolved. And there is still a disagreement between the Connolly’s Friends group and the Boston Public Library (BPL) about establishing a...
Boston Teachers Union brings contract dispute to JP
SUMNER HILL—Representatives from the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) held a meeting at the Jamaica Plain Branch Library to discuss the 20-month-long ongoing contract negotiation process between themselves and the Boston Public Schools (BPS) on Feb. 16. The meeting was part of a series of meetings held all over the city to explain the BTU’s...
Parent talks school cuts at council meeting
Jamaica Plain resident Kieran Fitzgibbon, who has a son at the Curley K-8 School, spoke at the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council meeting last month about cuts in funding at that school. Fitzgibbon, who is part of a group of concerned Curley School parents, noted that funding is projected to be $6.2 million for 2013,...
T parcel gets bids; deadline extended again
FOREST HILLS—The MBTA has received bids on a surplus parcel south of the Forest Hills T Station on Hyde Park Avenue, but has extended its bidding deadline to April. MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo told the Gazette that bids have been received for Parcel U, but would not disclose who the bidders are until after...
Activist author talks gay rights and ‘religious left’
It’s unusual to start a book reading with a song (“This Little Light of Mine”) and a prayer—but Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou is not a usual author. Reading from his book, “Gods, Gays and Guns: Essays on Race, Religion, and the Future of Democracy” at First Baptist Church on Centre Street on March 7,...
Sami’s Wrap and Roll renovates
Sami’s Wrap and Roll, a Middle Eastern eatery at 654 Centre St., has been closed for a period of time in March for renovations and has a new storefront sign saying Café Beirut. It is unclear whether the restaurant will reopen under the new name or new management. A message on its answering machine...
JP resident named to gaming board
Jamaica Plain resident Enrique Zuniga has been appointed to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which will oversee the newly legalized casino gambling in the state. “Public service is all about generating the best and most innovative outcomes for the taxpayers, and I ook forward to serving on the Gaming Commission in that spirit,” said Zuniga,...
Man wounded in shooting
A man was shot and wounded near Franklin Park last week, and police are seeking more information about a woman who was seen fleeing the area. The unidentified victim in the March 5 afternoon shooting transported himself to a hospital. At the time of the shooting, a witness reported seeing a woman running in...