BHS Principal Pens Explanation Of Friday’s Student Protest

May 30, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker 1 Comment

Photo: Principal Dr. Dan Richards with Barbara Joseph. BHS student organizer.

[Editor’s note: Below is a letter sent to students, parents and staff from Belmont High School Principal Dr. Dan Richards concerning the protest rally and march by students on Friday, May 29.]

Dear Belmont Students, Parents, Guardians, Faculty, and Staff,

I am writing to inform you and provide clarity about the student march on Friday, May 26, 2017 around the pond at Belmont High School.

At 7:00am on May 26, one of our students brought to my attention that a racial comment was posted the night before on Snapchat by a student who does not attend Belmont High School. The post was discovered by a Belmont High School student who forwarded it to our school’s Black in Belmont student group, which mainly consists of African-American/Black students.

I then met with students representing Black in Belmont to gain a better understanding of the situation. They explained the details of the incident and shared with me the Snapchat post. Throughout the course of the discussion, the students shared their feelings about the incident and the need to continue the conversation with the school administration and other staff members to help process the situation and discuss how best to respond to it.

Throughout the better part of the day, the Belmont High School administrative team and a group of teachers met with students to process the incident and to strategize short and long-term proactive solutions. Together, we agreed that a clear message of solidarity was needed. The message should clearly show unity and that derogatory messages and/or behavior of this nature are not tolerated by the Belmont High School community. After much discussion, a voluntary student, faculty, staff, and community march around the pond was planned for that afternoon.

At 1:30 pm, members of the student body, faculty, staff, representatives of Belmont Against Racism and the Belmont Police Department gathered at the front of the school to hear an inspirational speech by a student member of the Black in Belmont group. The group walked in peaceful solidarity around the pond chanting slogans of unity. The march concluded at approximately 2:00 pm back at the school.

I am proud of our faculty, staff, community members, and especially our students who chose to react to a hateful and hurtful situation in a peaceful and productive manner. Their decision to come together and support our African-American/Black students by marching together with one voice, is a symbol of our strength, values, and steadfast commitment to equality.

I am continuously impressed with the maturity, emotional strength, and positive spirit with which our students respond to such incidents which can only serve to undermine the inclusive culture at Belmont High School. We remain committed to the important work that lies ahead of us to ensure that everyone is a welcomed, respected, and valued member of the Belmont High School community.

Daniel E. Richards

Principal

Belmont Students Protest Racial Slur On Social Media [Video]

May 26, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Campaigners marching around Clay Pit Pond

A racial slur on a Snapchat account by a Belmont High School student that was forwarded by a third party to fellow students resulted in a protest rally and march around Clay Pit Pond at the high school Friday afternoon, May 26, which saw nearly 90 percent of the student body and many teachers and staff take part.

Organized by a group of students led by junior Barbara Joseph, the action according to Joseph and the school administration was directed at the overall climate of racial discourse occuring locally and nationally.

“We are not looking to have the [student] to be punished. He’s affected by society on what he did,” said Joseph. “We are here to say that this is a bigger issue than just one [social media] post. It’s about changing our [view] on what is acceptable.”

Belmont High Principal Dr. Dan Richards said he met with a group of students early Friday to discuss their concerns and help devise both a short and long term actions that would both bring awareness of issues of race that is effecting students to the greater school community. The march would be the first step in bringing forward a dialouge on the issues, said Richards.

“I support what these students are doing 100 percent because its a message that we need to discuss,” said Richards.

Rogers’ Bill on Pregnant Workers Fairness Passes House

May 14, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: State Rep. Dave Rogers speaking in the House chamber.

On Wednesday, May 10^th the Massachusetts House of Representatives unanimously passed H3659, An Act establishing the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, filed by Belmont State Rep. Dave Rogers (24^th Middlesex “ABC” district).

The bill will “put our Commonwealth one step closer to ensuring that pregnant women in the workplace are protected from discrimination, filling key gaps in existing law,” said Rogers, who has represented Belmont and parts of Arlington and Cambridge since 2013.

“Today, once again, the Massachusetts House of Representatives has acted boldly to advance the cause of civil rights, women’s rights, and equal opportunity. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a bill I introduced, makes clear that women seeking a reasonable accommodation from their employers for certain conditions or needs related to their pregnancy must be treated fairly,” said Rogers

The bill adds pregnancy and its related conditions to existing employment non-discrimination laws as well as making it unlawful for an employer to deny a reasonable accommodation for pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition. Accommodations may include:

more frequent or longer breaks,
time off to recover from childbirth,
light duty,
assistance with manual labor,
temporary transfer to less strenuous or hazardous positions,
a modified work schedule, and
private non-bathroom space for expressing breast milk.

“I thank Speaker DeLeo for his strong leadership, the 99 House colleagues who co-sponsored this legislation and the many courageous women who stepped forward to tell their stories while the bill was under consideration as – together – we send a powerful message in support of equal opportunity in our Commonwealth,” said Rogers.

“As I face my first Mother’s Day this weekend without my Mom and hero, Maxine Fitzgerald Rogers, I know she is with me today celebrating a milestone for equality and decency,” he said.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Commentary: Differing, Compelling Views on the ‘Welcoming Town’ Article

May 3, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Jim Williams (left), Dan Vernick

Editor’s note: Below is an email conversation between Board of Selectmen Chair Jim Williams and Town Meeting Member Daniel Vernick. The exchange began when Williams wrote to the community why and how he would vote on Article 10, the citizen’s petition by Anne Mahon on making Belmont a “Welcoming Community.” Vernick responded to Williams statement which the Selectmen reciprocated. In a time in our country when contrasting political views are likely to result in flaming, profane comments, the viewpoints by each Town Meeting member were treated with respect and understanding.

Jim Williams

To the community:

The BOS voted favorable 2-1 on Article 10 at the May 1, Board of Selectmen Open Meeting with myself casting the minority unfavorable vote. So, I’ve decided to report my vote and the reasons for it in writing in advance of the report of the BOS vote at Town Meeting for public consideration:

I respect Anne Mahon and the idea that the Town should express its compassion on the topic.
I understand (and cheer) her right to put forth a citizen’s petition for consideration by Town Meeting.
I understand what’s proposed is not what is widely understood to be a sanctuary city or even a welcoming city as both of these can include resolutions concerning local enforcement of federal immigration laws,
I have a deep appreciation for Anne and the Police Department Command for the work done by the public safety statements rendering them accurately factual, thus neutral politically.

However,

Belmont has already declared itself a “welcoming community” in its Town of Belmont Comprehensive Plan 2010-2020 pps. 1, 5, and 22.
Also, the Vision 21 Implementation Committee report dated April 2015 mentions the idea of welcoming 80 times in the document albeit many instances relate to the surveys reported therein.
The Town conducts its affairs within the rule of law, and the BOS conducts the general direction and management of the property and affairs of the Town not otherwise provided for law and the Town bylaws for the common good.
The inclusion of a reference to public safety procedures can create for some a false impression that Belmont has declared itself a sanctuary or welcoming city or town or has joined a network of sanctuary or welcoming towns that, in fact, is not proposed by the motion or article.

Therefore,

I am unfavorable to the motion as proposed given its redundancy, the need for all parties and agents of the Town to conduct Town affairs within the rule of law and the common good, and the probability of a false public impression about the intent of the motion of approved.

Instead,

I would propose that the BOS commits to Town Meeting that it will charge the Vision 21 Committee with the task of updating a 2020-30 Comprehensive Plan for the Town.

Best regards,

Jim Williams

Chairman, Board of Selectmen

From Daniel Vernick

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the explanation – a couple of points in response:

Anne Mahon is one member of a broad coalition of Belmontians pushing for this Welcoming Town resolution. It was written not only by Anne but also with the help of many other TMMs, as well as the Police Department, Belmont Against Racism, and others. You make many points about how you “respect Anne Mahon” – but this resolution is not about Anne Mahon. It’s about making sure that Belmont’s immigrant community feels safe and welcome, and there is a broad coalition of Belmontians from numerous groups across town that have been working on this.
You mention the town needing to conduct itself “within the rule of law.” Not only is Article 10 within the rule of law, it simply reaffirms the standard BPD policy that has been in place for years. Passage will not change any policy but will send a message that everyone is welcome in Belmont regardless of race, ethnicity, or immigration status.
I am confused about your claim that this creates a false impression that Belmont has declared itself a sanctuary town. I will be the first to tell you that Article 10 (unfortunately) does not come anywhere near making Belmont a sanctuary town. But it’s a step in the right direction.
The Vision 21 report, as you mentioned, was in 2015 – that’s before the Trump administration’s immigration orders have caused widespread fear among immigrants and people of color, as well as a sharp rise in hate speech and hate crimes. This resolution is needed to publicly reaffirm Belmont’s policies and values so that no one who lives or works in our community has to feel unsafe or fearful.
Similar resolutions have been passed by many other towns, including nearby Waltham, Concord, Newton, and Arlington. Most of those resolutions have been far more comprehensive than Belmont’s resolution. Every nearby city and town that has recently considered a similar resolution have passed it. If the resolution fails, Belmont will stand out as the only town in Greater Boston to reject a Welcoming Town resolution.
I am confused by this statement: “I am unfavorable to the motion as proposed given its redundancy, the need by all parties and agents of the Town to conduct Town affairs within the rule of law and common good, and the probability of a public false impression about the intent of the motion of approved.” The exact opposite is true; this is absolutely within the rule of law, is essential to the common good, and the impression it gives to the public is that Belmont welcomes immigrants and that no one should have to live in fear. I am confused as to what you are referring to in these sentences.
I wish that we had a far more comprehensive resolution that would have made Belmont a full-fledged sanctuary town, but unfortunately, that is not the case – this resolution is purely symbolic and does not change any existing policies. It does, however, send a message to immigrants who live or work in Belmont that their community supports them and that they are welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, or immigration status.

This is not and should not be a partisan issue – all sides should agree on this resolution, which is extremely watered down and purely symbolic, as simply a statement of Belmont’s values.

I am happy to discuss this further. I hope that you understand how detrimental the failure of this resolution would be to the emotional wellbeing of our immigrants, people of color, Muslim community (for instance, Muslim students being bullied at Chenery), and to our reputation as a town. I welcome you to reconsider your position.

Best,

Daniel Vernick

TMM Precinct 1

Jim Williams

Hi Daniel

Thanks for your email. At least, you care enough to engage. Otherwise, here is my initial reaction to your comments:

Amongst many other things, I am a Belmontonian as well, and I don’t agree with the motion for the reasons I’ve put forth in writing.
It is always possible that well-intentioned people can be working on bad policy, yet that fact doesn’t necessarily validate a particular point of view as history has shown over and over again.
Article 10 did not start out within the rule of law from what I know of it. The Police Command and Selectman Mark Palilllo worked with Anne (who we all know which is important to understand) to bring the motion into a neutral political space for the common good and so the motion could pass without rancor.
Great strategy to enable all to vote unanimously in favor except that it will be predictably understood by the wider public to support policies it doesn’t support which does not serve Belmont’s common good which I have sworn to uphold.
Hence, my opinion and the elephant question of “why do it” at all?.

As for the rest of your commentary, you simply say because you disagree I should agree with you. I’m going to need more than your word on that. I think we need to have more dialogue when we can if you like as I always stand to be corrected.

Best,

Jim

Newbies Out In The Rain To Vote, Support or Hopefully Win Election

April 4, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Oliver Leeb receiving congratulations after his first vote.

The all-day rain that has softened voter counts at Belmont’s eight precincts during the annual Town Election did not deter new voters and candidates who were voting for the first time,

Precinct 2 (Belmont Town Hall)

The last time most people saw Oliver Leeb was when he was waltzing in high heels, in the role of Mary Sunshine in the Belmont High School Performing Arts Company’s production of “Chicago.” On Tuesday, the high school senior who will be attending Brandeis in the fall was with his mother preparing to vote for the first time.

“I have been excited about this for a while,” said Leeb. “It’s important to have some say in things that affect our lives.”

And while he did have a slight bubble when casting the ballot – he left it in the folder before being told to slide it into the box – Leeb was congratulated by Precinct 2 Captain Henry Kazarian who shook his hand, having become an official voter.

Precinct 1 (Belmont Public Library)

Not only did Belmont High School Senior Samantha Casey get to cast a vote for the first time, but she also knew one of the Town Meeting candidates she was voting for: her mom, Emma Thurston.

“I did vote for her,” said Casey, with Thurston saying “Good answer!” as they stood outside in the rain holding signs.

Casey said she voted for her mom because “she’s passionate about everything. She does a great job because she knows about town politics and is involved in all the schools.”

As for voting: “It was very exciting, and everyone was super nice when they found out it was my first vote. They call clapped for me,” said Casey, who still has to choice between Boston University and Northeastern to attend in the fall.

Precinct 8 (Winn Brook Elementary School)

First-time candidate Natalie Leino was out greeting voters entering the Winn Brook School with her campaign staff: daughter Carlie and son Ian.

“It’s been fun meeting friends,” said Leino as Carlie – a kindergartener at the Winn Brook – wandered off to Joey’s Park while Ian appeared ready to head home.

“I just wanted to get more involved in the town having been here for the past five years,” said Leino whø is the chair of the Vision 21 Implementation Committee which recently held the successful “Talk of the Town” forum.

“And running for Town Meeting is the natural next step to learn what’s going on in town and have a say.”

Precinct 2 (Town Hall)

You know who your friends are when they are willing to stand out in the rain for you after school. So first-time candidate Devan O’Toole has a friend in David Korn, a fellow senior at Belmont High School, who stood by O’Toole with a sign in hand during the late afternoon rush hour outside Town Hall.

“I’m here to support one of my best friends in his endeavors to become a Town Meeting member. I’ve been canvassing the neighborhood which has been fun,” said Korn who is heading to Berklee this fall.

“I want to see him make a change in Belmont. I think he can do that because he’s a great kid.”

Belmont’s Hammond Road To Be A TV Backdrop … In China

February 27, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: From a distance, Wanderer in production in Belmont.

Belmont’s Hammond Road is a mix of century-old wooden single and two-family houses with cement front walks and side driveways. The road that rolls downhill from Palfrey to Gilbert is about as typical as one can come to an established suburban New England neighborhood.

So, you’d think the crew and cast filming a television series on this Boston-area location would likely star someone who’d remind you of Casey Affleck, with a thick Boston accent and four smart-mouth kids who cause the hero grief in weekly half-hour installments.

But you won’t be able to see the finished product using the front stoop and inside of 95 Hammond as a backdrop unless you pick up transmissions from Chinese television.

According to the letter slipped under the door neighbors received last week from a representative of EnMaze Pictures, a production of “Wanderer,” a Chinese television series, would be filming over two days in Belmont. The show would be aired later this year.

The crew will finish up filming on Hammond Monday, Feb. 27, working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in and outside the 95-year-old house after have spent last Thursday at the location.

“[T]here are apparently big acting stars in it. Check it out!” wrote one Belmontonian reader.

(Belmont has been backdrops in movies and television, the most recent being a photograph of the town’s police station used to represent a station in upstate New York in the sitcom “Brooklyn Nine Nine.” Films include “The Cardinal” and the original “The Thomas Crown Affair” with Steve McQueen playing at the Belmont Country Club.

A couple of visits to the site by the Belmontonian – Belmont Police kept everyone back 30 yards from the film, not do much to protect the actors but to prevent people from tripping over wires laid up and down the street – was what you would expect from a film production:

The time consuming set up of each shot,
A few seconds of filming,
A director yelling “cut.”
Then repeating steps 1,2 and 3 for the remainder of the day.

As the production staff moves things around, the leading actor – sweating in a winter coat on a 72 degree February day – appeared to either be in character as a pensive serious “wanderer” or just darn uncomfortable.

A message to EnMaze’s location manager was unanswered to there was no opportunity to discover why Belmont was selected and what exactly is the “Wanderer” is all about. But there is a bit more about the film company.

EnMaze Pictures is an independent film production and distribution company located in the heart of Queens, NYC that “aim to offer high-quality films to audience in both USA and China.”

Founded in 2012 by a CUNY-grad, EnMaze also produces and distributes films – mostly short films – helmed and written by Chinese and Chinese-Americans. Recently, EnMaze hosted a movie tour promoting works by US-educated Chinese film directors in North America and China.

Panels, Discussion, Singing and Speeches at Belmont’s MLK Breakfast

January 15, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: The poster for the event.

Belmont’s 23rd annual Martin Luther King Day Community Breakfast takes places on Monday, Jan. 16, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. in the Belmont High School Cafeteria, 221 Concord Ave.

The guest speaker is Dorothy Stoneman, Belmont resident, Belmont High School graduate, civil rights activist and Founder of YouthBuild. In addition to speaking, Stoneman will moderate a panel of Belmont METCO graduates and friends. While METCO started in Belmont in 1970, it is the 50th anniversary of the METCO program.

In addition to Stoneman and the panel, the program will include

Belmont District Superintendent John Phelan,
Belmont High Principal Daniel Richards,
Dr. Constance Williams, associate professor emerita, the Heller School for Social Policy and Management,
Pastor Amos Jean Philippe, Belmont Community Church of God,
Muneeb (Moe) Khan, The Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland,
a trio comprised of BHS students Lara Zeng ’19 (violin), Alex Wilk ’19 (viola) and Annalise Schlaud ’19 (cello),
BHS student singers and METCO program participants Jaelyn Creech Moise ’18 and Janae Creech Moise ’19 (“Amazing Grace”).

The METCO Panel of METCO Graduates and Friends, will include three METCO graduates from Belmont’s first class of METCO students. These students spent 12 years in the Belmont Schools from 1st grade at the Butler Elementary to graduating from Belmont High School. The panel will include:

Angela Simpson, BHS Class of 1982
Lee Williams, BHS Class of 1982, coming from Baltimore for the event
Anthony Lumley Sr., BHS Class of 1982, now a METCO parent, Wellesley Schools
Marrcus Henry, BHS Class of 2004
Melvin MacKenzie, BHS Class of 2004
Lorraine Kermond, BHS Class 1984, Belmont resident and Belmont Against Racism Board Member

As in the past, there will be a request for donations to support the Belmont Schools’ METCO Support Fund. A member of the board of Belmont Against Racism and Belmont Schools’ METCO Director Ms. Diane Wiltshire will make the request. As stated above, all checks should be payable to Belmont Against Racism re METCO Support Fund.

$5 per person/$10 per family (at the door)

Pastries, fruit and beverages will be served. Student musical entertainment will be provided. Ample parking. Accessible to persons with disabilities. Join with old friends and meet new friends. Children of all ages are welcome and childcare and gym activities will be provided for children 2-12 during the program.

Belmont Schools, Public Library, Senior Center Closed for Election

November 8, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker 1 Comment

Photo: A line of voters at the Burbank Elementary School.

With safety in mind, the Belmont School District has closed the district’s six schools for the Presidential Election today, Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Speaking in September, School Superintendent John Phelan said the decision to shut down school for the day was a precautionary measure due to the combination of three schools – Winn Brook, Butler and Burbank elementary – hosting polling places and an anticipated high voter turnout for Presidential elections – Town Clerk Ellen Cushman is predicting upwards of 80 to 85 percent voter participation.

With limited visitors parking at the three schools and upwards of a thousand voters attempting to cast ballots during the day, it was decided to side on safety.

The number of voters anticipated and the need for parking resulted in the Belmont Public Library on Concord Avenue and the Senior Center at the Beech Street Center being closed today, Tuesday.

Hamlet: Belmont High’s Fall Production More Than Just About Revenge [VIDEO/PHOTOS]

November 3, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Jasper Wolf as Hamlet

Ezra Flam loves directing Shakespeare. And of all the plays in the folio, the director and producer of the Belmont High School Performance Arts Company’s production of “Hamlet” is drawn most to the tragedy of the Prince of Denmark.

“It’s my favorite Shakespeare play and so for me I love everything about it,” said Flam who is following a long-time Belmont High tradition of putting on productions of the Bard’s works with Hamlet.

“For me in particular, I do love the way the play balances comedy, introspection, serious drama and tragedy. It’s more than just a revenge story. It really is an existential rumination on life,” said Flam.

“I think Hamlet the character has so many points in the play where he particularly articulates that we make and do with our lives, and provides us an awareness and a sense of that we have a finite time on earth,” he said.

“There are some really beautiful meditations on that theme,” said Flam.

Flam wants the audience to know that while this play is a tragedy – all the main characters are dead when the final curtain falls – there are times of comic relief and wit.

“I think that every play has an opportunity to have something funny, that’s just in the script,” he said.

“Shakespeare put the gravedigger scene at the start of the last act on purpose because you need a moment after so mush drama that’s a wake up call, ‘hey, we’re not done yet. There’s more coming!'” said Flam.

The production stars Jasper Wolf as Hamlet, Miriam Cubstead as Ophelia, Oliver Leeb as King Claudius, Maerose Pepe as Gertrude, Sammy Haines as Laertes and Lennart Nielsen as Polonius.

The clean modern stage design is by Anna Moss and Lila West created the pseudo-19th century white and black costumes while lighting is by Chris Fournier.

Performances are Thursday, Nov. 3; Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5. All performances begin at 7 p.m. in the Belmont High School auditorium.

ADULTS: $12 in advance, $15 at the door; STUDENTS: $5 (BHS Students come free on Thursday!)

WHERE TO GET TICKETS:
Tickets are now on sale at Champions Sporting Goods in Belmont Center. Tickets for students will be on sale outside the BHS Cafeteria and in the Library during select mods the week of the show.

Three Days of Early Voting Remain; It’s Easy as 1,2,3 [VIDEO]

November 2, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Remember to get your “I Voted” sticker!

Residents have three days in which to participate in early voting for the Presidential election, according to Ellen Cushman, Belmont’s Town Clerk.

Town Hall will be open on Wednesday, Nov. 2 and Thursday, Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As of 8 p.m. on Tuesday, 4,057 early voters – or 22.75 percent of all registered voters – have taken the opportunity to cast their ballots before the general election takes places next Tuesday, Nov. 8.

And the voting process is easy and quick as the accompanying video attests.

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