Latest news with #MassachusettsTeachersAssociation
2 days ago
- General
Massachusetts high school volleyball team rallies around teammate detained by immigration agents
BOSTON -- A high school volleyball team in Massachusetts is asking fans to wear white to their match Tuesday night to show support for a teammate who has been detained by federal immigration authorities. 'Our game on June 3rd will be played in honor of Marcelo. We will continue to pray and fight for our brother,' the Milford High School boys volleyball team said in an Instagram post. Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a junior born in Brazil, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Saturday on his way to volleyball practice. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Monday that agents were looking for the teenager's father, who owns the car Gomes da Silva was driving at the time. 'Like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant or … he's here illegally, we will take action on it,' he said when reporters asked about the teen. Asked why ICE would detain an 18-year-old with no criminal record, Lyons answered, 'I didn't say he was dangerous. I said he's in this country illegally and we're not going to walk away from anybody.' Gomes da Silva has filed a request in federal court seeking to be released as his immigration case proceeds. A judge on Monday gave the government two weeks to respond and ordered that Gomes da Silva not be moved out of Massachusetts without 48 hours' notice given to the court. The arrest has sparked outrage among Democratic officials, including Gov. Maura Healey, who demanded information about his location and whether he is being afforded due process. The superintendent of Milford schools said the district plays no part in immigration enforcement and supports all families, including immigrants. Hundreds of students at the school staged a walkout Monday, holding signs reading 'Free our friend' and 'America was built by immigrants.' Teachers will be at Tuesday night's volleyball game along with other community members who support Gomes da Silva's release, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Teachers Association said. 'The Massachusetts Teachers Association condemns ICE's cruel and inhumane actions in the strongest possible terms,' the union said in a statement. 'We call on leaders at every level to ensure our schools remain safe spaces of learning, belonging and safety for all students — not hunting grounds for ICE agents.'
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
Massachusetts high school volleyball team rallies around teammate detained by immigration agents
BOSTON (AP) — A high school volleyball team in Massachusetts is asking fans to wear white to their match Tuesday night to show support for a teammate who has been detained by federal immigration authorities. 'Our game on June 3rd will be played in honor of Marcelo. We will continue to pray and fight for our brother,' the Milford High School boys volleyball team said in an Instagram post. Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a junior born in Brazil, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Saturday on his way to volleyball practice. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Monday that agents were looking for the teenager's father, who owns the car Gomes da Silva was driving at the time. 'Like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant or … he's here illegally, we will take action on it,' he said when reporters asked about the teen. Asked why ICE would detain an 18-year-old with no criminal record, Lyons answered, 'I didn't say he was dangerous. I said he's in this country illegally and we're not going to walk away from anybody.' Gomes da Silva has filed a request in federal court seeking to be released as his immigration case proceeds. A judge on Monday gave the government two weeks to respond and ordered that Gomes da Silva not be moved out of Massachusetts without 48 hours' notice given to the court. The arrest has sparked outrage among Democratic officials, including Gov. Maura Healey, who demanded information about his location and whether he is being afforded due process. The superintendent of Milford schools said the district plays no part in immigration enforcement and supports all families, including immigrants. Hundreds of students at the school staged a walkout Monday, holding signs reading 'Free our friend' and 'America was built by immigrants.' Teachers will be at Tuesday night's volleyball game along with other community members who support Gomes da Silva's release, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Teachers Association said. 'The Massachusetts Teachers Association condemns ICE's cruel and inhumane actions in the strongest possible terms,' the union said in a statement. 'We call on leaders at every level to ensure our schools remain safe spaces of learning, belonging and safety for all students — not hunting grounds for ICE agents.' ___ Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Massachusetts high school volleyball team rallies around teammate detained by immigration agents
BOSTON (AP) — A high school volleyball team in Massachusetts is asking fans to wear white to their match Tuesday night to show support for a teammate who has been detained by federal immigration authorities. 'Our game on June 3rd will be played in honor of Marcelo. We will continue to pray and fight for our brother,' the Milford High School boys volleyball team said in an Instagram post. Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a junior born in Brazil, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Saturday on his way to volleyball practice. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Monday that agents were looking for the teenager's father, who owns the car Gomes da Silva was driving at the time. 'Like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant or … he's here illegally, we will take action on it,' he said when reporters asked about the teen. Asked why ICE would detain an 18-year-old with no criminal record, Lyons answered, 'I didn't say he was dangerous. I said he's in this country illegally and we're not going to walk away from anybody.' Gomes da Silva has filed a request in federal court seeking to be released as his immigration case proceeds. A judge on Monday gave the government two weeks to respond and ordered that Gomes da Silva not be moved out of Massachusetts without 48 hours' notice given to the court. The arrest has sparked outrage among Democratic officials, including Gov. Maura Healey, who demanded information about his location and whether he is being afforded due process. The superintendent of Milford schools said the district plays no part in immigration enforcement and supports all families, including immigrants. Hundreds of students at the school staged a walkout Monday, holding signs reading 'Free our friend' and 'America was built by immigrants.' Teachers will be at Tuesday night's volleyball game along with other community members who support Gomes da Silva's release, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Teachers Association said. 'The Massachusetts Teachers Association condemns ICE's cruel and inhumane actions in the strongest possible terms,' the union said in a statement. 'We call on leaders at every level to ensure our schools remain safe spaces of learning, belonging and safety for all students — not hunting grounds for ICE agents.' ___ Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Massachusetts high school volleyball team rallies around teammate detained by immigration agents
BOSTON (AP) — A high school volleyball team in Massachusetts is asking fans to wear white to their match Tuesday night to show support for a teammate who has been detained by federal immigration authorities. 'Our game on June 3rd will be played in honor of Marcelo. We will continue to pray and fight for our brother,' the Milford High School boys volleyball team said in an Instagram post. Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a junior born in Brazil, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Saturday on his way to volleyball practice. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Monday that agents were looking for the teenager's father, who owns the car Gomes da Silva was driving at the time. 'Like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant or … he's here illegally, we will take action on it,' he said when reporters asked about the teen. Asked why ICE would detain an 18-year-old with no criminal record, Lyons answered, 'I didn't say he was dangerous. I said he's in this country illegally and we're not going to walk away from anybody.' Gomes da Silva has filed a request in federal court seeking to be released as his immigration case proceeds. A judge on Monday gave the government two weeks to respond and ordered that Gomes da Silva not be moved out of Massachusetts without 48 hours' notice given to the court. The arrest has sparked outrage among Democratic officials, including Gov. Maura Healey, who demanded information about his location and whether he is being afforded due process. The superintendent of Milford schools said the district plays no part in immigration enforcement and supports all families, including immigrants. Hundreds of students at the school staged a walkout Monday, holding signs reading 'Free our friend' and 'America was built by immigrants.' Teachers will be at Tuesday night's volleyball game along with other community members who support Gomes da Silva's release, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Teachers Association said. 'The Massachusetts Teachers Association condemns ICE's cruel and inhumane actions in the strongest possible terms,' the union said in a statement. 'We call on leaders at every level to ensure our schools remain safe spaces of learning, belonging and safety for all students — not hunting grounds for ICE agents.' ___ Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Mass. asks public how to replace MCAS grad requirement. How to respond
An online survey launched Monday will expand public input opportunities for people to share ideas on the future of a new statewide high school graduation requirement in Massachusetts. The survey, along with listening sessions being held across the state, come after voters last November opted to do away with the requirement that public high school students must pass three MCAS tests in language arts, mathematics and science in order to achieve a diploma. It was one of the most hotly contested ballot questions the state had seen in years — the Massachusetts Teachers Union led the charge to get rid of the MCAS requirement, while many state officials, including Gov. Maura Healey, strongly opposed it. Now, after the voters have spoken — passing the measure by a wide margin — education officials are assessing what a future requirement may look like to ensure graduates are demonstrating learning and readiness for college, careers and civic life. The public has until June 30 to complete the online survey, which is available in six languages. Read more: Springfield invites former students who failed MCAS to apply for a diploma Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler said listening sessions held so far in Taunton, Worcester and Somerville have provided 'deeply meaningful feedback' and that additional public feedback 'is only going to strength these efforts. 'I encourage everyone to fill out the survey and look forward to engaging with more residents at the remaining listening sessions,' he said. The last listening sessions will be held in Holyoke and Barnstable on June 5 and 9, respectively. There will be a virtual one, as well, on June 3. Until the state develops a new statewide requirement, school districts are resorting to local graduation standards and competency determinations set by school committees. Controversial guidance previously issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said school districts can still use MCAS scores as part of their local graduation requirements. The leaders of the Massachusetts Teachers Association said the guidance circumvented the intention of Question 2 and, ultimately, the will of the voters. Similarly, the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education recently approved the 'limited use' of MCAS scores to determine if students are satisfying the competency determination for a high school diploma, also drawing blowback from the teachers union. Springfield invites former students who failed MCAS to apply for a diploma Teachers union urges public to stay informed, speak up about changing ed regs Springfield schools weigh graduation requirements after MCAS test dropped Everything you need to know about MCAS heading into 2025 Read the original article on MassLive.
