Massachusetts
Massachusetts students return to school after lengthy teacher strike
Students in Newton, Massachusetts, were finally able to return to class on Monday after a historically long teachers union strike that kept the schoolhouse doors shuttered for more than two weeks.
The strike ended on Friday night after 15 days of protest and 11 missed school days, allowing students to come back to class Monday morning. The Newton Teachers Association reached a contract agreement with the school district Friday and voted to ratify it late Sunday evening.
Ninety-seven percent of the union voted to affirm a four-year contract that accounts for 13% cost-of-living increases, pay increases for classroom aides and behavioral therapists, and 60 days of parental leave, among other things. The school district will hold a public vote to approve the contract on Wednesday.
Union negotiator Ryan Normandin said the deal was a victory, saying closing schools to reach the new contract terms sent a powerful message to the students who could not go to class.
“We taught our students not to be afraid that when those in power try to take away your rights, that they should stand up for themselves, that they should not do it alone, but together,” he said at a press conference. “We taught every other district in this state what will happen if they try to balance their budgets on the backs of our students and educators.”
Newton parent Trevor Mack, a father of an eight-year-old girl, struck a different tone, telling the Boston Globe that the contentiousness was “long overdue” and “avoidable,” adding, “I don’t think there’s a single party that won in this strike.”
Both the district and the union “lost my trust very early on in their very negative tone and rhetoric,” Mack continued.
The Newton controversy unfolded against the backdrop of a wealthy district with favorable student-to-teacher ratios, as well as higher-than-average teacher salaries and spending per pupil.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, teacher salaries increased considerably in Newton from 2018’s $82,045 to $96,810 in 2022. By contrast, the average teacher salary in Massachusetts was $80,204 in 2018 and $89,889 in 2022. Similarly, Newton’s per-pupil spending is higher than the state average, clocking in at about $24,521, where the state average is $20,133, as of Jan. 18.
The district and the union incurred significant costs over the course of the strike, which started with a walkout on Jan. 19. In total, 2,000 teachers from roughly two dozen schools were affected, but roughly 12,000 students took the brunt of the strike in the affluent suburb of around 87,000 locals.
Since striking is illegal for public sector union members in Massachusetts, a judge continuously increased the fines on the teachers union, reaching $600,000 and threatening to double fines to $100,000 per day if a deal was not reached by Sunday evening.
The school district, on the other hand, is now expected to spend an added $53 million over the course of the new contract.
The strike, which was the longest of its kind in 30 years, was roiled in controversy, and some in Massachusetts see it as a flashpoint that could invite more during contract negotiations in other school districts.
Around 15 to 20 districts in the state are concerned about upcoming negotiations, Massachusetts Association of School Committees Executive Director Glenn Koocher told the Boston Globe.
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“A lot of districts that have contracts coming up are thinking about what this means if the unions are becoming more militant, if they’re not afraid of a judge, if they’re not afraid of being held in contempt, and if they think it can get them more,” Koocher explained.
Teacher strikes have increased in the Bay State since 2022, with unions showing a willingness to weather fines for long periods of time.
Gov. Maura Healey spoke Wednesday about the public health and safety preparations it is making ahead of this summer’s World Cup matches in Massachusetts.
Gillette Stadium — to be called Boston Stadium — will be the site of seven matches between June 13 and July 9.
The state is carrying out planning and training with local, state and federal agencies on everything from transportation and crowd management to cybersecurity, public health, and emergency response.
“Residents and visitors alike can be confident that we are prepared to host a safe, secure and successful World Cup,” Healey said.
Healey said the state secured about $76 million in federal funding to pay for security and preparedness.
The state has more information about the World Cup at Match-Ready Massachusetts.
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Gillette will host a friendly Thursday between France and Brazil as a warm up to the World Cup.
5 different ways Easter is celebrated around the world
Did you know that Easter isn’t always just celebrated with chocolate? Easter is marked very differently around the globe.
unbranded – Lifestyle
The arrival of spring means Easter is almost here – it falls on Sunday, April 5, this year.
With the holiday only two weeks away, Christians all over New England are preparing to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. However, for children, the holiday is significant for another reason: candy.
All across the country on Easter Sunday, children will hunt for hidden Easter eggs in hopes of finding a sweet treasure inside. Wondering where they can do so in Massachusetts?
Here are eight Easter celebrations and egg hunts in Massachusetts to bring the kids to this year.
Easter Egg Hunt at Smolak Farms
Hop into Easter fun with the egg hunt at Smolak Farms, where children are welcome to gather as many eggs and goods they can find. Tickets, which cost $25 per child, also include photos with the Easter Bunny, lawn games, music and animal viewing. Hayrides and fresh apple cider donuts will also be available for purchase.
The egg hunts will take place on April 4: one at 11 a.m. for childen ages 1-4, and another at noon for children ages 5-9. Smolak Farms is located at 315 South Bradford St. in North Andover.
Patriot Place Easter Egg Roll
Head to Patriot Place for an Easter Egg Roll right across from Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. Open for ages 1-8, the event promises to be an “egg-citing day filled with adventure,” according to the website.
Patriot Place’s Easter egg roll will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 3, located on the North End Zone Plaza across from the Patriots ProShop. Registration is required for this event and can be done through the Patriot Place Advantage App.
Eggstravaganza at The Zoo in Forest Park
Celebrate Easter with your children’s favorite zoo animals at The Zoo in Forest Park, where the Eggstravaganza event includes face painting, crafts, a Bunny Trail with goodies throughout the zoo and, of course, visits with animals including the Easter Bunny himself.
Tickets cost $13 for adults, $8 for children or $9 for seniors and military, with discounted admission available to zoo members. All tickets must be purchased online in advance.
The Zoo in Forest Park’s Eggstravaganza will be from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 at 293 Sumner Ave. in Springfield.
Bunny Bash with The Arc South Shore
Head to Derby Street Shops for the fourth annual Bunny Bash on The Green, presented by The Arc South Shore. Along with an egg hunt, the springtime event includes fac painting, temporary tattoos and photos wirh the Easter Bunny.
The Bunny Bash will take place on Friday, April 3, with one session at 10 a.m. and another session at 11 a.m. Tickets, which can be bought online, cost $10 per person. The Green at Derby Street Shops is located at 92-98 Derby St. in Hingham.
Easter Sunday Brunch Train
Looking for a unique way to celebrate Easter? Hop on the Cape Cod Central Railroad for an Easter Sunday brunch on wheels. The 2.5-hour train ride will allow you and your family to relax, take in the sights of the Cape Cod Canal and enjoy a three-course meal, with specialty Easter options including Cadbury creme French toast, poached pear overnight oats and carrot cake for dessert.
Train tickets start at $54.99 for children ages 3-12 and $74.99 for adults, though premium and lounge seating options are also available at an increased price. All bookings can be made online, and any remaining tickets will be sold in-person on a first come, first serve basis.
The Easter Sunday Brunch train will start at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 5. Trains depart from 252 Main St. in Hyannis.
Easter Egg Hunt at C.N. Smith Farm
The Easter egg hunt at C.N. Smith Farm includes 12 eggs per child, pictures with the Easter Bunny, a model train display, a bubble machine and goods from the farmstand. Plus, after hunting for eggs, children can enjoy hot cocoa with Peep bunnies, as well as cider donuts and treats in the donut barn.
Admission costs $15 per child, and all reservations must be made online in advance. C.N. Smith Farm’s egg hunt will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4. The farm is located at 325 South St. in East Bridgewater.
Hammond Castle Easter Egg Hunt
Would your kids enjoy hunting for eggs on the grounds of a real castle? Hammond Castle Museum is hosting its annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 28. The castle has not yet released a time or tickets, so be sure to check the website for the latest details.
Easter Bunny Adventure at Silver Bell Farm
At Silver Bell Farm’s Easter Bunny Adventure, the goal of the egg hunt is to look for the rare silver egg in the Christmas Tree Forest. However, the fun doesn’t stop at the egg hunt. Additional activities include visits with the Easter Bunny, a story walk along the bunny trail, an outdoor play area, a train ride and more. Be sure to stop in the City Sidewalk Cafe or Santa’s Sleigh Shop to shop for some special treats and gifts.
The Easter Bunny Adventure will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, with sign-ups for specific timeslots available. Silver Bell Farm is located at 305 Silver St. in Monson.
Massachusetts tourism and political leaders have plenty to cheer about in 2026.
“This year for tourism is going to be huge,” said Marykay Wydra with Explore Western Mass.
“It’s going to be an incredible summer,” said Martha Sheridan with MeetBoston.
Millions of visitors are expected over the next few months as the Bay State prepares to host seven 2026 World Cup matches, America 250 celebrations and normal summer tourism.
But while Boston and Foxborough will be the epicenters of activity, Gov. Maura Healey says it’s critical that the rest of the state is able to reap some of the economic benefits.
“The state is going to help, private organizations are going to help, companies are going to help,” said Gov. Healey.
The statewide push is aided in part by $10 million in state grants.
“We wanted to make sure there was money there for communities to host watch parties during the World Cup event,” Healey said.
“With more we can do more,” said Wydra.
“Any funding where we can help add a special angle to that, this being the World Cup, is helpful,” said Jessye Deane with the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
Beyond those broader goals, Massachusetts will get a preview of how the World Cup matches will play out this week as France and Brazil play an international friendly match at Gillette Stadium.
“From an operational perspective, from a security and transportation perspective. It does give us a good opportunity to test some things out,” said Healey.
“It’s a 4 p.m. match so it mirrors time slots for the World Cup, we’ll test out train routes on Thursday,” said Sheridan.
It’s an early challenge for the Commonwealth as it looks to come away with an economic win.
As a reminder, the first World Cup match will be held on June 13 between Haiti and Scotland.
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