Standing with Our Students
Standing with Our Students
Greetings,
I wrote a week ago about the thrill of graduation season so many of us feel, and which each of you participate in as you collectively celebrate the fruits of your labor in educating and supporting students so they reach graduation, from elementary school to middle school, from middle school to high school, from high school to college, work and life as citizens in a democracy.
So the kidnapping of a Milford student last week was a shock to the Milford community and all of us who are committed to educating every – every – student in our communities. Milford educators and the community responded with a march of more than a thousand people on graduation day, demanding the immediate release of Marcelo Gomes Da Silva. The students have continued the protests this week. We will keep you informed about how to help bring Marcelo home, and protect students and their families across the state.
Behind this latest example of state terrorism – and it is happening throughout the state – is the broader attack on public education and our democracy.
Every day that you go to work in a public school or college, you fulfill the mission of public education and thereby serve as part of the resistance to these attacks.
But, in this time, we need to ask each other to do more. Here are some ways to participate in the growing resistance:
— Register for a virtual session tonight, from 6 to 7 p.m., with the ACLU of Massachusetts, which will provide updates on immigration policy and enforcement at the federal and local level, information about how educators can support their students and families, and discussion on rights during interactions with law enforcement. Registration is required.
–– This afternoon, retirees are invited to attend an Urgent Call to Action, an event hosted by the MTA Retired Committee with U.S. Senator Ed Markey, as well as Deb and me. At this virtual event, which begins at 3 p.m., we’ll discuss the current state of affairs at the state and national levels and plan to make our united MTA voices heard. Register to join.
— It is Pride month and backing our LGBTQ+ members, students and community members matters more than ever. It is all one fight! Please show up for upcoming Pride marches on June 7 in Springfield and June 14 in Boston. June 14 is also the No Kings Day of national action.
— Urge your legislators to support investments in public education! The House and Senate each have passed versions of the FY 2026 state budget and a supplemental budget to appropriate surplus revenue from the Fair Share Amendment. Each of these proposals includes important funding and policies, such as a historic $150 in per-pupil minimum aid that is included in both the House and Senate budgets. The MTA-backed RetirementPlus fix is included only in the House budget, which was a direct result of your extraordinary advocacy over the past few months. Now, a legislative conference committee will reconcile the differences between these proposals. This is why we need you to write to your legislators right away to tell them that we are counting on the House and Senate to include key public education priorities as they develop final versions of the FY 2026 budget and Fair Share surplus supplemental budget.
MTA Events, Opportunities and Solidarity Actions
Actions Taken at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Delegates
Actions taken by the 2025 Annual Meeting of Delegates at the meeting on May 2-3, 2025, can be found here.
2025 Summer PDP Courses
When: Ongoing
Where: Virtual
MTA’s Training and Professional Learning division is hosting 12 virtual PDP courses this summer. Topic areas include English language learners, special education, safe and supportive schools, English language arts/literacy and science. The courses are a mix of asynchronous and Zoom courses. Registration will open on Thursday, June 5, at 4 p.m.. Spots go quickly, so please register early! Learn more and register. There also are a few seats remaining for in-person PDP courses at Summer Conference.
Graduation Council Listening Sessions
When: Thursday, June 5, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Holyoke High School, North Campus
Two listening sessions remain in a series organized by Governor Healey’s Graduation Council to gather feedback from communities, including students, families, educators, administrators and higher education experts, on what skills and knowledge Massachusetts students need to thrive in college, careers and civic life. Comments can include feedback on potential course requirements, examinations and alternative methods of demonstrating student achievement. In addition to the June 5 session at Holyoke High School, a final session will be held next Thursday, June 12, at Barnstable high school. Get more information and register.
Political Education
Here are a couple of reminders of why we believe immigration is our strength as a nation.
One provides an economic argument. The second highlights the accomplishments of immigrant Americans.
In solidarity,
Max and Deb