Massachusetts Teachers Association Urges Immediate Closure of All Public Schools in the Commonwealth

“For the good of students, educators and our communities, the MTA is calling today for all public schools in the Commonwealth to shut down immediately for two weeks, while preparing for a longer closure if necessary. This urgent step is needed to make a significant and consistent impact on the spread of COVID-19, which we all know is a potentially deadly virus.

“Already, we are seeing widespread closings of public schools as preK-12 districts work to follow the guidelines set forth by public health officials to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. But more is needed. The piecemeal approach is ineffective. We must take action on a statewide basis to protect students, educators, and the health of Massachusetts families.

“We fully recognize the impact this will have — and it is a step that we do not take lightly. Furthermore, closing schools requires a series of supportive measures. As it occurs, we are calling on cities, counties and the state to develop social safety nets that will ensure the ongoing well-being of everyone in our Commonwealth.

“The state must assist communities in making sure that all children who rely on schools for access to food will still have a way to receive meals. Our government must also set up financial assistance for families when caretakers and parents need to stay home with children.

“After two weeks, the closure can be revisited — and either extended or ended, as dictated by imperative health needs.

“Where our public colleges and universities are concerned, we need to take similarly substantive measures to ensure the health, safety and well-being of students, faculty and staff. We call for the cancellation of on-campus classes for the rest of the spring term and time to allow for preparation for the one-time emergency use of remote learning. In addition, the state must make provisions to care for college students who are housing or food insecure.

“As these steps are taken, all school and college employees — regardless of whether they are salaried, contingent or paid hourly — must continue to receive paychecks when their workplaces modify the way they operate. All educators, including Education Support Professionals and adjunct faculty members, must be given full access to critical benefits, including coronavirus testing, affordable health insurance and paid family and medical leave. They must receive whatever care they need to stay healthy and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

“Many of our higher education members are already being asked to deliver courses online. These educators need the technology, training and other supports to make this endeavor successful for students. They must also have the other resources required to maintain a productive teaching and learning environment.

“Finally, the MTA is calling for cancellation of the MCAS tests this spring. Our students and educators are experiencing an extraordinary public health crisis and an incredible amount of stress. Removing the mandate of testing will allow for the flexibility necessary to balance the education and health needs of our students, families and communities.

“This is a time for consistency, leadership and urgent action at both the state and national levels — qualities that have been sorely lacking so far during the coronavirus crisis. Now is the time for decisive action to protect students, families, educators and everyone else in our communities. We demand that it be taken.”

Bridgewater DTC Monthly Meeting & Reorganization

Date: Thursday, March 12th
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Bridgewater Academy Building

Please join the Bridgewater DTC for our monthly meeting. During this meeting we will be re-organizing and electing the following new positions:

Chair
Vice-Chair
Treasurer
Secretary

We look forward to having you join us! This meeting is open to any and all registered Democrats living in Bridgewater.

Please RSVP on our Facebook event page.

Brockton Democratic Campaign Institute

Brockton Democratic Campaign Institute

Date: February 29, 2020
Time: 10AM
Location: Brockton Public Library Gallery (304 Main Street, Brockton)

Ask questions, get hands-on training and meet local campaign experts!

Learn about using VoteBuilder, Social Media, Fundraising and much more!

JFK Scholarship and Moakley Internship Program

The Massachusetts Democratic Party is now accepting applications for the John F. Kennedy Scholarship and Joe Moakley Internship program! The JFK Scholarship and Joe Moakley Internship program was created to recognize outstanding high school students, college students and recent college graduates for their leadership qualities and further develop their skills to become the next leaders of this great Commonwealth. Below I have provided some key information about the application process. Please send this information around to potential applicants and I wish the best of luck to all of our candidates.

Application InstructionsYou can access more information about this program here.
Applications with the following documents must be received no later than Friday, March 20, 2020 at 5:00 PM and must be submitted here.

A candidate is eligible for this program if they meet the following criteria:
Applicant must be a Massachusetts resident
Must currently be enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university, a post-secondary school program, or be a 2020 college graduate or post-secondary program graduate
Applicants eligible to vote must be a registered Democrat in Massachusetts. (Register Here!) Applicants ineligible to vote should provide engagement in a Democratic Organization (i.e Young Democrats of Massachusetts, College Democrats of Massachusetts, Bay State Stonewall Democrats.)
2.5 minimum GPA
Commitment to public service and desire to be politically active
Ability to work with diverse communities
Applications must include, for all candidates, JFK Scholarship AND Joe Moakley internship program, the following:
Cover Letter of Application
Essay (300-word limit)
One-page Resume
Unofficial Transcript
2 letters of Recommendation

For Internship Applicants: Commitment to work as an intern with MDP and/or a policy organization or local community-based organization working on issues that advance MDP platform goals. Internships begin on Monday, May 11, 2020. This date is flexible, however, as we realize that school schedules vary. 

For All Candidates: Commit to attend the Massachusetts Democratic Convention at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell on Saturday, May 30, 2020.

Bridgewater Democratic Caucus Results

Congratulations to our delegates and alternates who were elected during today's caucus! We look forward to having you represent Bridgewater in Lowell at the Massachusetts Democratic Party Convention!

Kevin Bligh- Ex-Officio
Dennis C Gallagher- Ex-Officio

Female DelegatesSherley Phillips
Cris Ajemian
Lauren L. DeFilippo
Terri Linde
Gina Guasconi


Male DelegatesCarlton Hunt
Brendan Lee
Brendan Schramm
Matt Lyford
Jean Philogene

AlternatesChrista Philogene
Mary Pendleton
Bruce Marquis
Mark E. Linde

Bridgewater Democratic Caucus

The Bridgewater Democratic Caucus will take place on Saturday, February 15th at 9 AM. The caucus is open to all registered Democrats living in Bridgewater and will take place at the Bridgewater Academy Building located at 66 Central Square.

The purpose of the caucus is to elect delegates and alternates to attend the 2020 Massachusetts Democratic Convention.

We look forward to having you join us!

Please RSVP on Facebook by clicking here or email the committee at bridgewaterdems@gmail.com.

2020 Bridgewater DTC Dues

Just a reminder that 2020 dues for Bridgewater DTC membership are now due. Annual dues are $30/person with $25 supporting our general fund and $5 being donated to the Bridgewater DTC Memorial Scholarship Fund. We are hoping if you have not yet paid your dues you will do so by March 1st so we can save on the expense of mailing invoices.

Please click here to pay your dues through ActBlue.

Donations to the Bridgewater DTC can also be made by clicking the link above should you not be a member of the DTC but still wish to support our efforts.

Should you wish to pay via check, please make checks payable to BDTC and mail to:

Bridgewater DTC
40 Glenmore Lane
Bridgewater, MA 02324

Thanks for your continued support of the Bridgewater DTC!