Haitian refugee welcomed at Apponequet

This article focuses on Jonathan Jean-Baptiste, a fifteen year old student at Apponequet High School. He is new to Massachusetts due to the devastating earth quake in Haiti. He left his mother, father and brother in chaos to live with his aunt in Apponequet. He is having trouble adjusting but the hospitality and support from his peers and the town have make easier everyday. His aunt is proud of him stating that "He is adjusting and having gone through the trauma. It is amazing how resilient he is”.

Mass. sued over immigrant health care

A law in Massachusetts excludes over 26,000 LEGAL immigrants from their rightful healthcare benefits, and so the immigrants are fighting back by suing the state legislature. The state's Connector Authority violated the equal protection rights of these immigrants last year when their healthcare benefits were cut just because of their immigrant status. After fighting for a long time, the immigrants were able to gain back a stripped-down version of the benefits they once had. This is an unfair and unfortunate turn of events, especially since Governor Deval Patrick fought to get coverage.

US Investigation in Canton School

This article relates to the previous post about the schools using shock therapy. 

http://mobile.boston.com/art/30/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/02/25/us_opens_canton_school_inquiry/?single=1

A Canton special needs school is under investigation by the US  Department of justice to determine whether the school violates federal disability laws by disciplining students with electric shocks. In September 2009, disability rights groups said the facility used "painful and dehumanizing techniques that violate all principles of human rights". Many of the students at the Rotenberg Educational Center have developmental disabilities, autism, emotional trouble and some even have criminal records. Many parents who have children at the Rotenberg Center have supported the school because it accepted their children when others turned them away. Some even said the shocks were a better alternative to heavy sedation. Some critics of the school say that the punishment is unheard of and that students are often punished for minor behaviors such as whispering. A member of the Coalition of the Legal Rights of People with Disabilities in Boston is hoping the investigation by the Department of Justice will stop the practices of the school

Feds Probe Mass. Special Needs School

In this article, The US Justice department is investigating whether or not Massachusetts schools are violating disablity laws regarding Children. In the schools, teachers have been known to use what is known as "shock therapy." Shock therapy is under investigation because many think that it violates "humans rights" due to its techniques. For more information: http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/feds-probe-massachusetts-special-needs-school-25-apx

Opening Hearts: Foster Children the Focus of Library Exhibit

This article is about a photography exhibit by volunteers showcasing foster children from Massachusetts. It is designed by the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange to "increase awareness about adoption from foster care." It is on display in the Worcester Public Library.

"Ms. Yanover volunteered last year to take photos for “the Heart Gallery” exhibit, designed by the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange to increase awareness about adoption from foster care. Twelve photos of foster children and teens, each taken by different photographers, are on display in the main foyer of the library, and will remain there through March.

According to Ms. Halpern, there are as many as 10,000 children in foster care throughout the state. About 75 percent of these children are in foster care temporarily. For the other 25 percent, “it becomes clear the problem that brought them into foster care is not going to be fixed,” she said.

MARE advocates for these children, and currently has 518 in its caseload, including 60 from Central Massachusetts. Last year, MARE helped find permanent homes for 157 children, with each of these children being placed an average of 1.3 years after registering with MARE. The average age of the children placed last fiscal year was eight."

No crackdown on assaults at colleges

"Newly obtained Justice Department data show that reports of sexual assaults on college campuses rarely lead to serious sanctions."

In this article many sexual assaults are ignored and people are not receiving the help they need individually, nor are they experiencing the safety and authority that is needed to run a college campus.

ANTI BULLYING TASK FORCE MEETS IN SOUTH HADLEY

After the suicide death of the South Hadley High School student, Phoebe Prince, the new anti bullying task force finally met. This task force was something many parents and members of both the school and the community thought were necessary to face the issues of bullying that were present in their school system. Members of the community felt that the school was not doing enough to punish the students who were doing the bullying in efforts to prevent future bullying and show that it will not be tolerated. The superintendent did say that the students who were involved in bullying Phoebe are now no longer enrolled in the high school, but he did not comment on whether or not they were expelled.
Since both parents, students and other members of the community felt the school was not doing enough to discipline those who were involved in bullying, they are asking that the superintendant resign because they do not believe he will follow through with his plan. But in the meantime the anti bullying task force will meet weekly and divided into different groups will tackle issues such as school policies, discipline policies, online behavior, community programs, and staff behaviors. This task force is something that will benefit the whole community by coming together and seeing what needs to be done in order to prevent the issue of bullying that has become more serious over the past year.