Plus, test your knowledge about a Boston legend.
 
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Today’s Forecast

37º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:12 a.m. | Sunset 4:28 p.m.
 

🎒 Get schooled on new long-term education plans

A lesson on Boston Public School’s new facilities plan
Mayor Wu stands in front of a podium outside a grey and brown brick building that reads "Boston Arts Academy, Dr. Elma I. Lewis Building," while a crowd is seated in front of her.
Boston Arts Academy is the city’s only high school for visual and performing arts. | Photo by @photowilcox for the City of Boston
A new long-term facilities plan from Boston Public Schools could increase enrollment + student offerings by lowering the number of active public schools. The 80-page document, which was submitted to the state last week, details how the school system can “keep its commitment to preparing young people for success.” Here’s what we know so far:

With 119 school buildings currently in use, the plan suggests that the city could maintain larger — but fewer — schools to bolster course and extracurricular offerings + prevent under-enrollment. Through this model, these larger schools could offer specialty classrooms for art, music, and special education, as well as improved gyms, libraries, and cafeterias.

The high amount of potential facility closures signifies a number of concerns within the school system — namely, a continuous dip in district enrollment, which has decreased by over 13% since 2006.

Many schools in the district have fewer than 250 students; in contrast, the new plan outlines potential school sizes between ~350 and ~1,600 students. Other suggestions from the plan include maintaining 40-80 elementary schools + early learning centers, as well as 19-24 secondary schools for grades 7-12.

No schools are mentioned by name for closures, merges, or reconstruction, and the report does not offer any proposals for long-term enrollment or budgeting.

The city’s School Committee will vote on all education-related proposals this spring.
Learn more
 
Events
Thursday, Jan. 4
  • Thiccy’s Taco Club Pop Up | Thursday, Jan. 4 | 5-9 p.m. | Lamplighter Broadway, 284 Broadway, Cambridge | Price of purchase | Chow down on some “table-tacos,” influenced by Latin street taco vendors.
  • “GoodFellas” | Thursday, Jan. 4 | 6 p.m. | The Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge | $13-$16 | There’s never a bad time to see this better-than-good crime classic from Martin Scorsese.
Friday, Jan. 5
  • Vivian Tu | Friday, Jan. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville | $29 | The Wall Street veteran and TikTok star unpacks her book “Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life.”
  • Geskle + Paper Lady | Friday, Jan. 5 | 8 p.m. | Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Sq., Somerville | $15 | Catch two Massachusetts rock bands performing alongside Brooklyn act Trophy Wife.
Saturday, Jan. 6
  • Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 7 p.m. | TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston | Prices vary | Catch this electrifying match with the Tampa Bay rivals.
  • Direct from Sweden: The Music of ABBA | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 8 p.m. | Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston | $35-$65 | Unleash your inner dancing queen at this tribute to Sweden’s finest foursome.
  • Frank Santos Jr. | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 7 p.m. | Deep Cuts, 21 Main St., Medford | $30 | Mesmerize your friends with this adults-only comedy + hypnosis show.
Events calendar here
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News Notes
Sports
  • Women’s hockey standout Hilary Knight will serve as captain of Boston’s new professional women’s hockey team. Knight, who boasts four Olympic medals and the title of “2023 IIHF Female Player of the Year,” will lead the team alongside alternate captains Jamie Lee Rattray + Megan Keller. (Boston.com)
Stat
  • Pack it up — more folks are leaving the Bay State than moving here, according to a new report from United Van Lines. Over 56% of the company’s local clients last year parted ways with Massachusetts, making it one of the top “outbound” states in 2023. (Boston 25 News)
Plan Ahead
  • The Boston Celtic Music Festival returns on Thursday, Jan. 11-Sunday, Jan. 14. The annual celebration of Irish, Scottish, and Celtic expression expands beyond Cambridge’s Club Passim this year to include events at Crystal Ballroom, The Burren, and The Rockwell. Passes are on sale now.
Closing
  • It’s your final chance to visit East Boston’s Tawakal Halal Cafe. The Somali restaurant at 389 Maverick St. will shutter after a farewell celebration on Saturday, Jan. 6. While a new location is in the works, fans can get their fix at Tawakal’s satellite spot at the MIT Student Center. (Eater Boston)
Ranked
  • No. 42. That’s where Boston places on Wallethub’s list of the best cities for keeping New Year’s resolutions. The report compiled data about the goals of 182 US cities, comparing factors like exercise opportunities, income growth, and employment outlook.
Feel Good
  • A Quebecois recently celebrated beating cancer with a special kind of victory lap: a one-day, 28.6-mile walk around Boston. Harley Davis’ journey brought him down the Freedom Trail and Acorn Street, through Boston Common and Back Bay, and down the Esplanade. His step count for the day? 519,209. (Boston.com)
Fun Fact
  • Did you know 65,000 of you welcome us into your inbox every morning? We’re asking you to take two minutes to tell us more about yourself so we can continue to write about things you find interesting. One lucky BOS survey participant will win $500. Take the survey.
Environment

🐋 New funding makes a splash

Massachusetts receives funding to protect right whales
A bird's eye view of a right whale in the Atlantic Ocean, next to five dolphins.
The North Atlantic right whale population declined by 25% between 2010 and 2020. | Photo by Allison Henry/NOAA
Two wrongs don’t make a right — but local funding can make a better future for North Atlantic right whales.

Massachusetts has received financial support that will help scientists research right whales and tackle issues that could impact the species’ endangered population, which is ~360 in 2024. Commercial fishing gear in particular poses a threat, often injuring or ensnaring unsuspecting whales.

Thanks to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Marine Fisheries has received $4.6+ million for conservation efforts and monitoring local marine life.

As part of the state’s whale recovery efforts, the money will fund new developments in safer fishing gear technology. A portion of the funds will also provide new equipment for workers in the local lobster industry.
The Buy

The Buy 1.04.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Pvolve’s signature equipment bundle, so you can try the at-home functional fitness method that has proven results and a Clinical Advisory Board. Fun fact: Jennifer Aniston liked it so much, she joined the company.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Victoria
From the editor
In honor of a certain historical figure’s birthday today, here’s a tidbit of niche music trivia. The silhouette of which Boston legend appears on the logo for the Boston Music Awards?

Before you ride away, see if you’re right + find some other fun facts about the icon.
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