😫 This ballot Q is SO high school

It’s Monday, Boston.

👻 If you didn’t believe us when we said the Salem crowds are wild … Just look at them. Seriously, however crowded you think it gets over there, double it. Boo!

👀 What’s on tap today:

• Beacon Hill’s been busy

• Boston honors Bill Russell

• Your last-minute Halloween fit

Up first…

BALLOT QUESTIONS

We’re getting high school flashbacks …

Hey … we have another question for you: Should Mass. get rid of passing the MCAS as a high school graduation requirement? 

We’re back with another deep dive into one of the state’s five ballot questions. Up next: Question 2. 

❓ What’s Question 2 actually asking? The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, a.k.a. the MCAS, are required standardized tests that students take in 3rd to 8th and 10th grades. Generally in the U.S., in order to graduate from a public high school, the state has to sign off on a student’s readiness. In Mass., they almost always make that call based on whether a student passes the 10th grade MCAS. This Q is asking whether the state should drop a passing MCAS grade as a graduation requirement.

📝 FWIW: Currently, there are alternative ways to get the state’s OK that don’t involve the MCAS. Plus, students are allowed to retake the test up to four times, and the state offers accommodations.

👍  What a “yes” vote means: A “yes” vote would not mean the end of MCAS exams. Students would still take the tests, but their score wouldn’t impact their graduation. Instead, students would just complete their district’s coursework requirements in order to graduate. 

👎  What a “no” vote means: Nothing would change, and a passing MCAS grade would continue to be used as the state’s measure of graduation readiness.

🔍  The research says … Of the high school seniors who meet their district’s requirements, less than 1% lose out on a diploma because they can’t get the state’s sign off, according to an impartial study by Tufts’ Center for State Policy and Analysis. And while ditching the requirement could benefit some students who struggle with tests, a “yes” vote would make Mass. one of the only states without a statewide graduation standard. That sparks concerns about the inequities that might come with districts determining their own requirements, making it harder for Mass. to maintain high educational standards across the state.

💬 What other folks are saying … The most vocal proponent of a “yes” vote is the Mass. Teachers Association, which said that a standardized test is an out-of-touch way to measure learning and stacks the deck against students of color or those with learning disabilities. But the Globe’s editorial board said that for the vast majority of students, the MCAS exams aren’t that high stakes, and they’re actually a useful tool for lessening statewide education inequities. Without a firm statewide alternative, the board said we’re in danger of becoming a place where students will be able to graduate without receiving “a minimal basic education.”

🎙️ Need more info? Here’s Boston.com’s Question 2 explainer. And here’s a live debate from both sides from GBH’s Boston Public Radio.

QUICK QUESTION

🗳️ Which way are you leaning on Ballot Question 2? 

TOGETHER WITH THE FENWAY

Who’s hungry? Join the club! 

🍔🦞 First rule of The Fenway Foodies Club: You have to be ready to eat … a lot. Join this not-so-secret society to uncover the best dishes, exclusive savings, and off-menu gems hidden in The Fenway (including iconic creations like a caviar hot dog). All you have to do is sign up for the newsletter to receive the inside scoop and check out the blog for the latest dining deals and secrets. Get ready to become a real Boston foodie. 

CITY

Quick & dirty headlines

📝 Beacon Hill got BUSY last week. On Thursday, the House passed the final ($730 million) FY24 spending bill, notably nixing an idea from Gov. Maura Healey to use extra millionaires tax funds to pad existing budgets (instead of only new initiatives). And, not a moment too soon, legislators also managed to hammer out a long-awaited climate bill that’ll speed up new clean energy infrastructure, improve EV charging, and slow down the growth of natural gas infrastructure. That said, we still need a final thumbs up from lawmakers and Gov. Healey in both cases.

💉 Need your sick season vaccines? How ’bout a double shot? The time for a jab is NOW, and after we tell you about the Boston Public Health Commission's FREE vaccine clinics this week, you’ll be fresh out of excuses. Today and Thursday, the commission will be at City Hall during specific open hours. Next week, you can get the jab(s) in Hyde Park, Mattapan, Eastie, and South Boston — no ID or insurance required. If those times or hoods don’t work for you, you can find another free vaccine clinic by the state here. 

🏀 Boston is cementing Bill Russell’s legacy. No, it’s not by renaming Logan. But it is by renaming the North Washington Street Bridge, which connects Charlestown and the North End, to the William Felton “Bill” Russell Bridge. Though Russell’s ball game is enough to make him a Celtics icon, Mayor Michelle Wu said the renaming is about honoring his equally iconic civil rights advocacy and contributions to Boston’s youth sports. The city will hold an official renaming ceremony today, with his widow, Jeannine, past and present C’s players, and Mayor Wu in attendance. 

🎤 Local Directioners paid tribute to Liam Payne. Following his tragic death last week, Boston Directioners came together IRL for the sweetest celebration of One Direction singer Liam Payne on Saturday. Over 70 fans showed up on the Common from far and wide to mourn the singer and the band that many of them grew up with, writing notes, listening to music, and comforting each other. If that’s not enough to get you choked up, Maggie Rogers’ tribute to Payne at her Boston concert — a cover of “Night Changes” — definitely will.

THINGS TO DO

Weekday checklist

😂 Have a laugh on the cheap. You can do exactly that at this stand-up show at Lucky’s Lounge tonight. Fun fact: These shows regularly include local comics who have been featured on Netflix, Comedy Central, and more.

🎃 Get crafty without carving. No knife skills? No problem. You can still get your pumpkin-art fix in at Sam Adams’ pumpkin painting party on Wednesday or at this succulent pumpkin centerpiece workshop on Thursday. 

🍏 Pretend brat summer never ended. It may be October, but La Fabrica in Central Square is hosting a bratty dance night on Thursday featuring beats from brats like Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and Troye Sivan.

🍁 Toast to the best of fall. Fall Fest on the Greenway is Thursday, so get psyched for a night of food trucks, pumpkin decorating, and a screening of “Beetlejuice.” 

🎭 Put your best mask forward. The WNDR Museum is celebrating spooky season with a black light party on Thursday where you can DIY your own masquerade mask and take part in a scavenger hunt.

👯 Make new pals from home. The folks from Skip the Small Talk are hosting an online version of their IRL chats on Thursday. Expect deep question prompts that’ll spark unique convos with strangers.

🍷 Give your wine glass an accessory. ICYMI: Wine charms are a thing, and you can make your own with the Southie Social Circle on Thursday over a glass of red or white. 

📚 Book it to Boston’s biggest book fest. You heard it here: The Boston Book Festival returns to Copley Square this Friday for two days of engaging author chats, live music, and obviously, books. Bonus: It’s free!

GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a Halloween Weekend Giveaway! 

One lucky winner will receive two tickets to the Halloween Ball at the Hawthorne Hotel on Oct. 26, a one-night stay at the hotel, a $50 gift card to the Olde Main Street Pub, and two tickets to the Peabody Essex Museum. To enter, just refer a friend and have them accept your invite by the end of the day on Oct. 22. If you have already referred a friend to B-Side (and they’ve accepted), you're eligible! Full details below*

18+. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Limit one entry per person. See Official Rules & an additional entry option here.

ONE LAST THING

Your last-minute Halloween costume

If you’re the type of person who waits till the last minute to pick their Halloween costume … Thank us later. The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) is opening up its costume vault to the public for a sale. 

We’re talking nearly 20,000 garments from performances spanning 40 years, from vintage pieces to custom-made costumes, and from everyday clothes (Doc Martens, Birkenstocks, leather jackets) to gaudy, over-the-top ensembles (green glitter heels and gowns) — and the best part? Everything is $50 or under, and most is much cheaper. 

The A.R.T. held the sale last weekend, and it’ll run again from Oct. 25 to 26. And no one better grab those sparkly boots before I get to them. 

— Written by Gia Orsino and Emily Schario

🎃 Thanks for reading! Do you think I could find anything there for a “hot Bill Belichick” costume? Asking for a friend. 

💜 Special shoutout to today’s sponsor, The Fenway and Samuels & Associates, for supporting local journalism and keeping Boston’s foodie community up-to-date on the tastiest trends and hidden gems. 

💏 The results are in: A whopping 62% of B-Siders are locked down — either in a relationship or married — heading into this cuffing season. One reader had an interesting request: “Married but looking for another to lower the rent!” Any takers?

💃 Keep up with us @BostonBSide on IG, TikTok, and Twitter. Send comments and suggestions to [email protected] or [email protected].