STEM Starts Now! 🚀
Secretary Zrike joined Lt. Gov. Driscoll and our education commissioners this morning at the Museum of Science to kick off 2026 STEM Week! #STEMStartsNow @museumofscience
Together, we’re inspiring students to explore, experiment and discover new possibilities through hands-on learning. 🔧⚙️ #STEMStartsNow
🔗: mass.gov/news/stem-starts-no…
Secretary Zrike and DESE Commissioner Martinez kicked off a Graduation Requirements Road Show this week with visits to Waltham High School and Apponequet Regional High School in Lakeville. 🎓🙌 @MASchoolsK12
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The road show highlights schools putting the Grad Council’s recommended graduation requirements into action & is chance to hear from students + educators about what it will take to fully implement the recs + strengthen the high school experience. 💪📚
🔗:mass.gov/news/healey-driscol…
The Healey-Driscoll Admin. will celebrate 2026 STEM Week next week with events across MA to lift up and highlight the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and careers. #STEMStartsNow ⚙️🔩
🔗 Full list of events: mass.gov/news/media-advisory…
Happy National School Lunch Week!🍎 🥪
Thanks to Universal School Meals, MA students are served 588,654 lunches and 291,792 breakfasts every day, helping ensure kids have access to healthy, nutritious meals so they can learn, grow and thrive! 💙😊 @MASchoolsK12
Helping schools give students the skills + support to navigate the digital world safely.📱🛜
Sec. Zrike joined @MassGovernor, @MASchoolsK12 and @AFTMass in Peabody for a roundtable discussion w/ students & educators on the impact of social media, and student mental health. (1/2)

ALT Governor Healey in a blue pants suit sits cross legged at a school desk in a classroom during a roundtable discussion in Peabody Veterans Memorial High School. Educators and students sit beside her listening. Behind them are classroom decorations and two blue banners that read “Protecting Students Online.”
The Governor announced $1.75 million in new funding to help Massachusetts schools protect students from the harmful impacts of social media and teach young people how to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
🔗: mass.gov/news/governor-heale…
When students miss school, they miss so much more than their education.
Sec. Zrike met w/ educators, counselors + school leaders at the MA Partnerships for Youth Annual Attendance Summit this week to highlight the connection between attendance, student well-being + success.
The Foundation Budget Review Commission will review the state’s Chapter 70 funding formula to strengthen Pre-k-12 school financing.
🔹Kristen Smidy is a former teacher, principal and superintendent with nearly 20 years of experience as a Western Mass educator (1/2)
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🔹Amy O’Leary brings more than two decades of experience as a preschool teacher, early education program director and nationally recognized leader in early childhood education.
🔗: mass.gov/news/governor-heale…
It’s Banned Books Week—celebrating the freedom to read and raising awareness about censorship. 📚 📖
Sec. Zrike was honored to speak at @framinghamstateu’s Banned Books Week Conference, lifting up the importance of making sure every student has the literacy skills to read well.
From MA bogs to school cafeterias! 🍒
The Healey-Driscoll Admin is partnering with @OceanSprayInc to bring homegrown cranberries to K-12 students across MA. We’re proud to support local farmers + serve up more food grown right here at home.🌱
🔗: mass.gov/news/healey-driscol…
Earlier this week, Sec Zrike visited Westfield Intermediate School & the aviation tech program at Westfield Tech Academy.⚙️🔩
Great to see students learning, creating and preparing for the future through hands-on learning that connects the classroom to real-world opportunities!
The 2027–28 FAFSA is now available! 🎓
Start your application today and take the next step toward making education after high school more affordable. 🙌
🔗: mass.gov/go-higher
MassEducation retweeted
Attention Metrowest Highschool Students and Caregivers: Join us for Construction Career Day 2026!
This free event will offer hands-on activities, training opportunities, professional guidance, and more!
Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/47qeNMv to register by October 5!
Applied learning in action! ✈️ 🧮
Secretary Zrike visited @WPS_MA yesterday to see how students are building collaboration, communication + problem-solving skills through hands-on STEM learning at Westfield Intermediate School and Westfield Technical Academy.🔩⚙️
Coffee, donuts, and lots of gratitude for the people who help start every school day off on the right foot! ☕️ 🍩
Sec. Zrike visited a Chelmsford bus yard to thank drivers + monitors for the smiles, energy + care they bring each morning—and for keeping our students safe. 🚌 ❤️
Applications are now open for $1 million in Cell Phone-Free Schools grants to help MA schools reduce distractions and create learning environments where students can focus, connect and engage. 🚫📱 (1/2) @MASchoolsK12
(2/2) The funding will support schools with developing and implementing cell phone policies, training educators and staff, and purchasing equipment to put those policies into practice. 🤳🙅
Applications are due October 21.
🔗: mass.gov/news/governor-heale…































