December 2020

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

December 2020 BOSTON TEACHERS UNION, LOCAL 66, AFT Non-Profit Org. ATTENTION! 180 Mount Vernon Street U.S. Postage th Boston, Massachusetts 02125 PAID 75 Anniversary of the Boston, MA Boston Teachers Union Permit No. 52088 Celebration Party BBOSTON TEACHERSU postponed until TUNION October 16, 2021 75 EVERYONE ¡TODOS IS SON WELCOME BIENVENIDOS BBOSTON TEACHERSU HERE! AQUÍ! TUNION BT U BT U The Award-Winning Newspaper of the Boston Teachers Union, AFT Local 66, AFL-CIO • Volume 53, Number 3 • December, 2020 President’s Report Jessica J. Tang Welcoming a New Year and Leaving 2020 Behind 020 will be a year for the history families and educators deserve. This also more compassionate union of edu- 2books: an unprecedented pandemic, work will continue to be challenging, cators. It is up to us to build the type of a reckoning of racial injustice, a historic unprecedented and without easy solu- community we believe in. This is what election with record voter participation tions. my late mentor and former principal and a turbulent school year throughout The New Year will continue to require Jinny Chalmers instilled in each of us it all. All of us have been tested in so patience, empathy and forgiveness as that became a part of the Young Achiev- Jessica J. Tang many ways—our capacity for adaptation, we heal not just divisions within the ers community—the community she BTU President isolation, anxiety, and working under nation politically, but within our own was integral in building. duress to name a few. It has been a year communities as well. Our neighbor- At Young Achievers, we had a song passing, we also hold in our hearts every- of chronic stress, trepidation, anger and hoods, schools and our union has been or anthem of sorts. It went (with drum one who is holding grief, pain and loss frustration for so many, and as we emerge tested and divided during this pandemic: beats, of course): from this year and prior. These experi- from a divisive election that felt like a teachers pit against parents; school versus “As a member of the Young Achievers ences indelibly leave their mark on all of battle for the soul of our nation, many school; and also union member to union Science and Math School, I believe I have us, but as we leave a year of pain behind, of us are also exhausted—emotionally, member. It was a difficult year because great powers and important things to we can remember why we came into this physically and mentally. tensions were high, needs were great, learn. I know my power will build a very work in first place—what inspired us, The good news is that a new year is resources inadequate and emotions ran strong and caring school. I have the power. who inspired us—and the joy that those just around the corner—we can finally high. In this environment trust was run- I have the power. To respect myself and memories and people brought us. leave 2020 behind and welcome in what ning low when we needed it most and we others. To make my school safe. To make As the YA anthem goes, “I have the we hope will be a new era. The hope that all had to dig deep to not just take care of good choices and work hard to succeed. power within me. You have the power a new presidency comes with—including ourselves, but strive to self-regulate not To focus and be the best student I can be. within you.” We, both—individually and a new Secretary of Education and a First just to support our students, but so that To make connections in math, science and collectively, have the power to make a Lady who is an educator herself—is one we could take care of our families and technology. I have the power within me. difference and carry on the legacy of all that we have long hoped for. President- others as well. You have the power within you. To study those fought bravely before us to cre- elect Joe Biden has promised to imme- My hope is that in this New Year, we and act in ways that make a difference in ate a better, and more just world. As we diately reverse many of the most harm- will find the kindness that I know is in our school, our neighborhood, our coun- leave 2020 behind, and welcome 2021 ful policies dismantled by the Trump each of us to help us heal, reflect and try, Young Achievers, we rule!” ahead of us, let us remember that we are and DeVos administration. He has also strengthen. It is what brought us to this As we hold Ilene Carver (our BTU stronger and better together, and we have committed to choosing an educator for work as educators—love for our students organizer and widowed wife to Jinny) in the power to make the new year what we the new Secretary of Education. Our and love for others—that will help us to our hearts during this holiday season need it to be, through learning, kindness national unions have many members on prevail as a stronger, more powerful and after Ms. Chalmers’ tragic and untimely and believing in each other. his transition team. These are all promis- ing developments. On the horizon is also hopes for a vaccine, that by next summer, is believed to be ready for the larger public and available for essential workers even by early next year. This gives the possibility of herd immunity by next fall. There is light at the end of the tunnel. The hope that next school year will return to “nor- malcy” is finally within sight. “ N o r m a l c y,” however, will likely be redefined and revisited, as we have all been impacted during this year in ways that we have perhaps yet to fully understand. We also know that what was “normal” before the pandemic was not what so many in our community needed. This pandemic exacerbated inequities and laid bare the injustices we already knew existed, but was not so easy for the larger public to ignore anymore— whether it was within education, hous- ing, health care or many other ways. We cannot make the mistake as a district, community or nation to accept the past as our new normal, and we cannot auto- matically count on new leaders to do what is right. We have much work ahead of us as we continue to advocate for the schools and communities our students, Members of the Boston Teachers Union were very active on the campaign trail this Fall. See more photos on page 8. Commentary Garret Virchick Open Letter to the Labor Movement – Defend Each Other – Demand Democracy! ur country stands at a moment of against systemic white supremacy, and of and the cities and states during the COV- Operil. A rejected president threat- the Women’s March. This was a demo- ID-19 crisis. It means defending the vote ens to overturn the clear verdict of the cratic uprisings against systematic voter with the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. American people. suppression and intimidation, the result It means expanding Medicare to cover Our country stands at a moment of of many years of grass-roots organizing. us all. It means passing the PRO act to peril. A rejected president threatens to These movements can rightfully claim make it easier for workers to form unions Garret Virchick overturn the clear verdict of the Ameri- this victory as their own. -- a democratic voice in the workplace. It Boston Union Teacher can people. Presiden-elect Joe Biden has prom- means making the District of Columbia Co-Editor We urge everyone to take President ised to bring America together. a state, giving those largely Black com- Trump’s threats seriously, and prepare to We too, want to bring the country munities a say in their governance. It reform, protections from evictions and act: to defend democracy in the courts, together: around a program that that means investment in infrastructure foreclosures, drivers’ licenses for undocu- in the streets and in our workplaces, if serves the vast working class majority – another broken promise by Trump. mented residents and much needed rev- Trump tries to steal the election. who suffered during the pandemic while It means defending LGBTQ rights. It enue from progressive tax measures. We The Biden/Harris victory by nearly the billionaires enriched themselves. means comprehensive immigration need increased unemployment insurance six million votes resulted from the mas- We speak of the nurses, the food service reform. It means rejecting the free trade for mothers and fathers who have to stay sive turnout of Black, Brown and Native workers, the first responders, the postal deals that benefited the multinational home, emergency paid sick time, equi- voters in the large cities like Atlanta and workers, the educators who risked their corporations at the expense of workers tably funded and safe K-12 and public Detroit, and in Arizona, Nevada and lives. We speak of the poor and immi- here and abroad. higher education, and safety protections other states, and of union voters in key grant communities, hardest hit by the These measures are widely popular. and paid leave for essential workers. swing states pandemic due to inadequate housing, Only the billionaires – the one percent We did not win the presidential elec- The record Biden/Harris vote was health care and job safety protections. – and the unwillingness of many of our tion to return to the status quo. The teach- the expression in the electoral arena of This means passing a Green New leaders to fight for them, stand between ers’ strikes, the mobilizations of the Black the strike wave of educators against the Deal to protect our imperiled planet by us and progress.
Recommended publications
  • Protect Your Collective Bargaining Rights!
    PROTECT YOUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS! On April 26th, a majority of the members of the Massachusetts of House Representatives voted to dramatically restrict the rights of municipal employees to collectively bargain over the issue of health insurance. It is critically important that you let your Representative know how you feel about their vote. These Representatives voted IN FAVOR of your collective bargaining rights: Democrats: Geraldo Alicea Denise Andrews Bruce Ayers Michael Brady Paul Brodeur Thomas Calter Christine Canavan James Cantwell Tackey Chan Nicholas Collins Edward Coppinger Geraldine Creedon Mark Cusack Marcos Devers James Dwyer Lori Ehrlich Christopher Fallon Robert Fennell John Fresolo Denise Garlick Coleen Garry John Mahoney Paul Mark James Miceli Kevin Murphy Rhonda Nyman James O’Day Thomas Petrolati Denise Provost Kathi-Anne Reinstein Carl Sciortino Joyce Spiliotis Thomas Stanley David Sullivan Walter Timilty Timothy Toomey Cleon Turner Marty Walsh Steven Walsh Alice Wolf Republicans: Bradford Hill Daniel Winslow If your state representative stood up for you, it is important that you call them and thank them for their support. You can say something like this: My name is ____________________ and I live in __________________. I work for the city/town of ___________ as a _____________. I am calling because Rep. ____________ voted in favor of maintaining collective bargaining rights for municipal workers like me. I wanted to thank Rep. ______________ for standing up for my union rights. These Representatives voted AGAINST
    [Show full text]
  • MCSW Annual Report, FY 2020
    th Charles F. Hurley Building | 19 Staniford Street, 6 ​ Floor | Boston, MA 02114 | ​ Phone: (617) 626-6520 | Email: [email protected] ​ 1 Table of Contents Remarks from the Chair . 4 ​ Commissioners, Staff, and Interns . 4 ​ ​ Introduction . 5 ​ Charges . 5 ​ ​ Organization . 5 ​ ​ 2020 Recommendations to Appointing Authorities. 6 ​ MCSW FY 2020 Budget . 6 ​ Programs, Advocacy, and Education. 8 ​ Public Hearings . 8 ​ ​ International Women’s Day . 8 ​ ​ Advocacy Day . 9 ​ ​ Seventeenth Annual Commonwealth Heroines Program . 9 ​ ​ Girls Initiative . 10 ​ ​ ​ MCSW Internship Program . 10 ​ ​ ​ ​ Priority Legislation . 10 ​ Regional Commissions . 12 ​ Local Women’s Commissions . 13 ​ ​ ​ Regional Commission Annual Reports . 14 ​ Berkshire Regional Commission Annual Report . 14 ​ ​ Cape Cod and Islands Regional Commission Annual Report . 17 ​ ​ Eastern Regional Commission Annual Report . 24 ​ ​ Essex County Regional Commission Annual Report . 27 ​ ​ Hampden County Commission Annual Report . 29 ​ ​ Hampshire-Franklin Regional Commission Annual Report . 31 ​ ​ MetroWest Regional Commission Annual Report . 38 ​ ​ ​ ​ Plymouth County Commission Annual Report . 42 ​ ​ Upper Middlesex Commission Annual Report . 46 ​ ​ ​ Worcester Regional Commission Annual Report . 49 ​ ​ 2 Appendix . 53 ​ Cape and Islands Public Hearing Summary . 53 ​ ​ Eastern Regional Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Meeting Agenda(s) . 60 ​ ​ Great Barrington Public Hearing Notes and Testimony . .75 ​ ​ Springfield Public Hearing Notes and Testimony . 78 ​ ​ Weymouth Public Hearing Notes and Testimony . 80 ​ ​ COVID-19 Virtual Public Hearing and Survey Data . 83 ​ ​ Advocacy Day 2020 . 91 ​ ​ Community Meetings: May 13-15, 2020 . 93 ​ ​ 3 Remarks from the 2019-2020 Chair On behalf of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, it is my pleasure to present a brief summary of our FY20 Annual Report.
    [Show full text]
  • 2013-2014 Legislative Scorecard
    Legislative Scorecard Votes and Leadership 2013-14 LEGISLATIVE SESSION - 1 - This is the inaugural edition of the Environmental League of Massachusetts legislative scorecard. We produced this scorecard to inform citizens about how their legislators voted on important environmental issues. We are pleased and grateful for the support of so many environmental leaders in the legislature. The scorecard relies first on roll call votes on legislation that deals with environmental and energy issues. Because there are so few roll call votes each session—and often these votes are unanimous—we have scored additional actions by legislators to further distinguish environmental champions. Bonus points were awarded to legislators who introduced bills that were ELM priorities or who introduced important amendments, particularly budget amendments to increase funding for state environmental agencies. In addition, we subtracted points for legislators who introduced legislation or amendments that we opposed. We want to recognize leadership and courage, in addition to votes, and have made every attempt to be fair and transparent in our scoring. Much happens during the legislative process that is impractical to score such as committee redrafts, committee votes to move or hold a bill, and measures that would improve flawed legislation. We have not attempted to include these actions, but we recognize that they greatly influence the process and outcomes. None of the bills or amendments scored here should be a surprise to legislators in terms of ELM’s support or opposition. Going forward, ELM will include votes and other actions that support additional revenues for transportation and promote transit, walking and biking. George Bachrach, President Erica Mattison, Legislative Director Highlights of the Session projects.
    [Show full text]
  • An Act to Provide Identification to Homeless Youth and Families
    ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Everyone Needs ID: An Act to Provide Identification to Homeless Youth and Families Senate Bill 2043 and House Bill 3066 Sponsored by Senator Harriette Chandler and Representative Kay Khan Lead Sponsors: Senator Harriette Chandler and Representative Kay Khan Senate Cosponsors: Senators Will Brownsberger, Jo Comerford, Julian Cyr, Sal DiDomenico, Jamie Eldridge, Cindy Friedman, Pat Jehlen, Jason Lewis, Mike Moore, and Becca Rausch House Cosponsors: Representatives Ruth Balser, Natalie Blais, Daniel Carey, Mike Connolly, Dan Donahue, Marjorie Decker, Mindy Domb, Carolyn Dykema, Nika Elugardo, Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Sean Garballey, Carmine Gentile, Carlos González, Tami Gouveia, James Hawkins, Kevin Honan, Mary Keefe, David LeBoeuf, Jack Patrick Lewis, David Linsky, Adrian Madaro, Liz Malia, Paul Mark, Paul McMurtry, Liz Miranda, Jim O’Day, Elizabeth Poirier, Denise Provost, Dave Rogers, Lindsay Sabadosa, Jon Santiago, Tom Stanley, José Tosado, Steve Ultino, Aaron Vega, and Bud Williams Bill History: Both Senate Bill 2043 and House Bill 3066 were refiled in January 2019, and were reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Transportation in November 2019. S. 2043 was sent to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, and may come up for a vote by the full Senate soon. H. 3066 was sent to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, and is awaiting action. Last session, the bill (Senate Bill 2568) passed the Senate unanimously. Importance of
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Profiles Spring 2019 |
    Legislative Profiles Spring 2019 | Announcement Inside This Issue This portfolio contains the profiles of all legislators that belong to PG. 2: Forward key committees within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. PG. 4: House Bill – H.2366 Each key committee will play a role in the review and approval of the retirement bills that have been filed. PG. 8: Senate Bill – SD.1962 PG. 11: Joint Committee on Public Service – Profiles PG. 29: House Ways & Means – Profiles This portfolio is for the members of MCSA to use to determine PG. 63: House Committee on Third Reading – Profiles which members reside within their regions so contact can be made with each legislator for support of both retirement bills. PG. 67: Senate Ways & Means – Profiles PG. 86: Senate Committee on Third Reading – Profiles PG. 92: Talking Point Tips PG. 93: Legislative Members by MCSA Regions FORWARD Many of us do not have experience with advocating for legislation or meeting with our legislative representatives. This booklet was created with each you in mind to assist in determining which members reside within your region or represent your town and city. We request you contact your respective legislators for support of both retirement bills. If you are familiar with the legislative process and your representatives this may seem rudimentary. The Massachusetts Legislature is comprised of 200 members elected by the people of the Commonwealth. The Senate is comprised of 40 members, with each representing a district of approximately 159,000 people. The House of Representatives is comprised of 160 members, with each legislator representing districts consisting of approximately 40,000 people.
    [Show full text]
  • Bristol County
    YOUTH JUSTICE VOTER GUIDE AND LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD: MASSACHUSETTS 2020 BRISTOL COUNTY WELCOME LETTER Each year, thousands of young people in Massachusetts come in contact with the juvenile justice system. These young people are disproportionately children of color, children from the child welfare system, children coming from areas of concentrated poverty, and LGBTQ children. For the majority of these young people, interactions with the juvenile justice system are overwhelmingly negative, and lead to poor outcomes and even increased delinquency. Progress in reforming our legal system into one that is fair and works to create positive outcomes for all system-involved youth, creating stronger and safer communities for everyone, is dependent on elected officials who support or oppose these reforms. This non-partisan voter guide is intended to ensure that you, as a voter, know your rights and are informed in our decisions. The primary focus of this voter guide is to provide the voting record of state elected officials currently in office. We also compiled information on resources from MassVOTE and the Massachusetts Chapter of the League of Women Voters regarding candidate forums in contested elections. This voter guide is intended for educational purposes. The above not-for-profit, non-partisan organizations do not endorse any candidates or political parties for public office. Table of Contents WELCOME LETTER IMPORTANT VOTER INFORMATION IMPORTANT ELECTION DATES SPECIAL COVID-19 ELECTION LAWS: VOTE SAFELY BY MAIL THE KEY ISSUES QUESTIONS TO ASK CANDIDATES IN CONTESTED ELECTIONS VOTING RECORD METHODOLOGY KEY TO THE SCORECARD Bristol County State Senators Bristol County State Representatives PARTNERS IMPORTANT VOTER INFORMATION Am I eligible to vote? You must be at least 18 years old, a US citizen on election day and registered to vote at least 10 days before the election.
    [Show full text]
  • View the Vote Chart
    UPDATE THE BOTTLE BILL YES! I pledge to help. The Bottle Bill (5¢ deposit on some beverage containers) is the single most successful recycling tool in the country. But the Updated Bottle Bill­­—adding water, juice and sports drinks to the deposits—is being blocked by powerful business interests on Beacon Hill. The Updated Bottle Bill (H890/S1650) will reduce litter, increase recycling, and save cities and towns money in trash disposal and litter cleanup. In fact, 208 cities and towns, 375 small businesses, and 90 state and local organizations have endorsed our campaign and joined the effort to pass this bill. Despite this overwhelming support, the Updated Bottle Bill has been “bottled up” in the Legislature for more than a decade. It has never been brought to the floor for a vote, and we need your help now. No more delays! Here’s how you can help: STEP 1: To find out the name of your representative and senator, go to www.WhereDoIVoteMA.com STEP 2: Find out where your legislators stand on the Updated Bottle Bill. See the back of this flyer for a complete guide. STEP 3: Call your state senator and representative today. The State House main number is (617) 722- 2000. Ask for your senator (and then call back and ask for your representative). Tell them: “I am a voter in (name your town) and I support the Updated Bottle Bill. There should be no more delays, this bill needs to come up for a vote now.” (If your legislator supports the Updated Bottle Bill, make sure to thank them, if they are undecided or not supporting the bill, ask them to consider supporting the bill.) STEP 4: After you call, please email [email protected] to let us know your legislator’s response.
    [Show full text]
  • Name Office Sought District
    The candidates listed below have taken the Commonwealth Environmental Pledge. Name Office Sought District Gerly Adrien State Representative 28th Middlesex Representative Ruth B Balser State Representative 12th Middlesex Bryan P Barash Newton City Council Ward 2 Representative Christine P Barber State Representative 34th Middlesex Alex Bezanson State Representative 7th Plymouth 2nd Suffolk and Senator Will Brownsberger State Senate Middlesex Suezanne Patrice Bruce State Representative 9th Suffolk Michelle Ciccolo State Representative 15th Middlesex Matthew Cohen State Representative 15th Middlesex Hampshire, Franklin Jo Comerford State Senate and Worcester Representative Dan Cullinane State Representative 12th Suffolk Paul Cusack State Representative 2nd Barnstable Senator Julian Cyr State Senate Cape and Islands Representative Michael Day State Representative 31st Middlesex Representative Diana DiZoglio State Senate 1st Essex Christina Eckert State Representative 2nd Essex Representative Lori A. Ehrlich State Representative 8th Essex Middlesex and Senator James Eldridge State Senate Worcester Senator Paul Feeney State Senate Bristol and Norfolk Barnstable, Dukes and Representative Dylan Fernandes State Representative Nantucket 2nd Essex and Barry Finegold State Senate Middlesex Senator Cindy F. Friedman State Senate 4th Middlesex Representative Sean Garballey State Representative 23rd Middlesex Representative Carmine Lawrence Gentile State Representative 13th Middlesex 15 Court Square, Suite 1000, Boston, MA 02108 • (617) 742-0474 • www.elmaction.org Allison Gustavson State Representative 4th Essex Representative Solomon Goldstein-Rose State Representative 3rd Hampshire Tami Gouveia State Representative 14th Middlesex Representative Jim Hawkins State Representative 2nd Bristol Sabrina Heisey State Representative 36th Middlesex Sarah G. Hewins State Representative 2nd Plymouth Representative Natalie Higgins State Representative 4th Worcester Kevin Higgins State Representative 7th Plymouth John Hine State Representative 2nd Hampshire Senator Patricia D.
    [Show full text]
  • MINUTES SHARON BOARD of SELECTMEN June 19, 2018
    MINUTES SHARON BOARD OF SELECTMEN June 19, 2018 The meeting of the Sharon Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:00pm in the Town Hearing Room at the Sharon Community Center with Chairman William A. Heitin, Clerk Walter B. Roach, Jr., Selectwoman Emily E. Smith-Lee, Town Administrator Frederic E. Turkington, Jr. and Assistant to the Town Administrator Lauren Barnes. The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Swearing-In – Police Chief John Ford Chairman Heitin is pleased to be able to introduce John Ford as the next Chief of Police and welcomed Ed Little to the front of the room. Mr. Little thanked the Board for allowing him to be able to swear in Chief Ford and administered the oath of office to Chief Ford in front a full of family and friends. The Chief’s wife, Ann-Marie, pinned a badge on her husband. Ted Philips, Staff Director for State Representative Lou Kafka, presented a citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and Senators Walter Timilty and Paul Feeney presented a citation from the Massachusetts Senate. District Attorney Michael Morrissey congratulated Chief Ford on his appointment and wished him and the Department well. The Board held a brief recess for the room to clear. Legislative Update – Senators Walter Timilty and Paul Feeney Senators Walter Timilty and Paul Feeney appeared before the Board. Ted Philips, Staff Director for State Representative Lou Kafka was also present. Senator Feeney explained that he and Senator Timilty have been busy and wanted to report to the Board on their activities and to see if they can assist the Town.
    [Show full text]
  • The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA 02133-1053
    The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA 02133-1053 April 7, 2020 David L. Bernhardt, Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington DC 20240 Dear Secretary Bernhardt, We are deeply dismayed and disappointed with the Department of the Interior's recent decision to disestablish and take lands out of trust for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe on March 27, 2020. Not since the mid-twentieth century has an Interior Secretary taken action to disestablish a reservation. This outrageous decision comes as we mark 400 years since the arrival of the Pilgrims in 1620 and recognize the People of the First Light who inhabited these shores for centuries before contact. The Department’s capricious action brings shame to your office and to our nation. Your decision was cruel and it was unnecessary. You were under no court order to take the Wampanoag land out of trust. Further, litigation to uphold the Mashpee Wampanoag’s status as a tribe eligible for the benefits of the Indian Reorganization Act is ongoing. Your intervention was without merit and completely unnecessary. The fact that the Department made this announcement on a Friday afternoon in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates a callous disregard for human decency. Mashpee Wampanoag leaders were focused on protecting members of their tribe, mobilizing health care resources, and executing response plans when they received your ill-timed announcement. As you are well aware, the Department of the Interior holds a federal trust responsibility to tribes, which includes the protection of Native American lands.
    [Show full text]
  • Preparing for a School Year Like No Other!
    BOSTON TEACHERS UNION, LOCAL 66, AFT Non-Profit Org. 180 Mount Vernon Street U.S. Postage Boston, Massachusetts 02125 PAID Union Information Boston, MA you can use. Permit No. 52088 Refer to this newspaper throughout the year. EVERYONE ¡TODOS IS SON WELCOME BIENVENIDOS BBOSTON TEACHERSU HERE! AQUÍ! TUNION BT U BT U The Award-Winning Newspaper of the Boston Teachers Union, AFT Local 66, AFL-CIO • Volume 53, Number 1 • September, 2020 President’s Report Jessica J. Tang Preparing For A School Year Like No Other! ypically, each fall, we begin the new caravan and rally ending at City Hall It is only through our collective Tschool year with much anticipation, with hundreds of members, filling the action, the demonstration of our unity, hope and expectation. We eagerly pre- parking lot of Madison Park and circling strength and purpose that we have been pare our classrooms and look forward to the BPS headquarters before heading to able to make progress since the “hop- meeting new students and a fresh start. circle City Hall. scotch” plan was revealed. Since then, 2020, however, has brought unprec- We joined hundreds of educators we were able to win a delay in the start edented challenges and the usual excite- from across the state the next week for of the school year so that educators had Jessica J. Tang ment that a new school year brings has another car caravan—this time circling time to get professional development and BTU President been filled with strife and anxiety of the the State House as hundreds more educa- training in safety and health protocols.
    [Show full text]
  • MA CCAN 2020 Program FINAL
    Source: Ballotpedia Source: Secretary of Commonwealth Massachusetts Senate *Denotes candidate does Candidates not have a website Senate District Democratic Republican Others 1st Bristol and Plymouth District Michael Rodrigues (i)* No candidate 1st Essex District Diana DiZoglio (i) No candidate 1st Essex and Middlesex District No candidate Bruce Tarr (i) 1st Hampden and Hampshire District Eric Lesser (i) No candidate 1st Middlesex District Edward Kennedy (i) No candidate 1st Middlesex and Norfolk District Cynthia Stone Creem (i) No candidate 1st Plymouth and Bristol District Marc Pacheco (i) No candidate 1st Suffolk District Nick Collins (i) No candidate 1st Suffolk and Middlesex District Joseph Boncore (i) No candidate 1st Worcester District Harriette Chandler (i)* No candidate 2nd Bristol and Plymouth District Mark Montigny (i)* No candidate 2nd Essex District Joan Lovely (i) No candidate 2nd Essex and Middlesex District Barry Finegold (i) No candidate 2nd Hampden and Hampshire District John Velis (i) John Cain 2nd Middlesex District Patricia D. Jehlen (i) No candidate 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk District Karen Spilka (i) No candidate 2nd Plymouth and Bristol District Michael Brady (i) No candidate 2nd Suffolk District Sonia Chang-Diaz (i) No candidate 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex District William Brownsberger (i) No candidate 2nd Worcester District Michael Moore (i) No candidate 3rd Essex District Brendan Crighton (i) No candidate 3rd Middlesex District Mike Barrett (i) No candidate 1 Source: Ballotpedia Source: Secretary of Commonwealth
    [Show full text]