Glastonbury Democrats
One Community .....Shared Priorities
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Make sure your voice is heard on Election Day!
Meet our candidates running for State and Federal office in November.
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Rep. Jason Doucette (13th)
LATEST NEWS
Dear Friends,
Election Day is November 3rd. There are many things to consider as you cast your vote for
state and federal officials.
The challenges that our country faces confront us everyday
from the grocery store to the gas pump to housing to our health needs. There are many
who do not feel safe or welcome. Our status and security around the world are
threatened. Our military is stretched to the limit striving to provide intelligence and
protection. We need to elect leaders who share our values and our priorities.
We are fortunate to have informed, knowledgeable, and passionate Democrats running
for state and federal office. They are focused on the issues that matter to you;
affordability, safety, privacy, education, housing options and conservation. Our
Democrats are committed to listening to your concerns and representing your voices.
They are in our community every day and will always support the best solutions for
Glastonbury.
Please join us in voting for:
- MD Rahman State Senator
- Moise Carelus State Representative for the 31st District
- Jason Doucette State Representative for the 13th District
- Ellen Paul State Representative for the 55th District
- Luke Bronin First Congressional District
- Joe Courtney Second Congressional District
We are grateful to Governor Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and their
team who have championed many positive initiatives for our state. We need their
continued leadership.
What can you do? Volunteer to help with the campaigns. Write letters and post positive
messages. Make sure you have a plan to vote. Use your voice to encourage everyone
to support our Democratic Team. This election will impact you, our town, our state and
our country for many years. Let’s work together to elect leaders we trust.
Julie and Susan, Chairs, Glastonbury Democratic Town Committee
Welcome
Dear Friends,
A great deal has been written and spoken about what has been and continues to happen in our country. We share the passion, the outrage and the need to help.
Racist posts, comments and videos are vile. They demean, degrade and disrespect people we love and admire. These individuals are our family, our friends, our neighbors, our colleagues and a part of every success in our nation. There is no excuse.
As Americans, we have endured so much, too much. Our country, once a welcoming haven for so many, has become a place of fear and terror. Lives have been lost and many lives have been changed forever. We continue to respect immigrants and recognize the value they add to every community. Anyone who breaks the law must be apprehended, regardless of their status or their appearance. But just as we must abide by laws, we are also guaranteed rights which should never be infringed upon.
We know that a great more deal could be said. Please your voice to be part of the outrage. We cannot wait. It will not get better on its own. We need to be the difference
Call for Peace
Dear Friends,
We are deeply saddened by the horrific shooting and tragic death that occurred in Utah. Our thoughts are with Charlie Kirk’s family and friends.
It is election season. Elected officials and candidates will have different opinions. Issues will not always be resolved in the way you would like. Individuals in the community may advocate for projects and policies that you do not agree with. There will be speeches. There will be signs. There will be mailings. There will be letters. There may even be misrepresentations.
These are all part of our political process. Violence is Not. Violence is never an option. Violence is never an answer. Violence has no place here or anywhere.
Please always be the voice of reason, the voice of calm and the voice of peaceful resolution.
Respectfully,
Julie and Susan
Open Letter from Board of Education Democrats
With the transition to this new federal administration, there has been increased federal opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion. While the downstream implications of these decisions through state and local government, as well as public and private institutions is unclear, the Glastonbury Board of Education Democrats remain steadfast in our values:
Diversity: We value diverse perspectives, diverse experiences, understand that our uniqueness makes us strong, and that we have much to learn from each other.
Equity: We support equitable practices to ensure all students have the support and resources tailored to meet their specific needs and to position them to succeed in school and beyond.
Inclusion: We are committed to ensuring our schools are a safe place for all students, teachers, and staff to be themselves and to feel seen and respected.
Our collective hope is that federal opposition to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion will have no impact on the way our local schools operate, as these values are deeply ingrained in the way Glastonbury has always approached education. As community leaders, we will do our part to ensure these values persist.
Doug Foyle, Alison Couture, Dave Peniston, Matt Saunig and Julie Thompson
Statements from Glastonbury Schools
Reaffirming Our Commitments to
Our Students and Staff
To Our School Community,
Federal Executive Orders related to public schools are raising questions and concerns across our school community. This is true of the recent order titled Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling (January 29, 2025).
The order directs the removal of federal funding from public schools that advance gender and discriminatory equity “ideologies” and programs.
What We Know and Don’t Know
We know the U.S. Department of Education will likely issue guidance to clarify how this order will be carried out in schools. However, we do not yet know how compliance will be monitored, what penalties might exist for perceived violations, or whether this will result in new federal or state laws, regulations, policies, or funding conditions. Because executive orders are subject to legal challenges, there may be delays or changes to how the order is put into action. We will be following this closely.
Our Commitment Remains
We will continue to honor and respect the perspectives, cultures, and identities of every member of our school community.
Please be assured that we are committed to the goals of the Glastonbury Public Schools Strategic Plan, in particular, Goal 2: Provide safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments. We stand by our Board of Education non-discrimination policy which is aligned with current Connecticut law.
The words and actions of our faculty and staff will continue to demonstrate this commitment daily.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership,
Alan B. Bookman, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Subject: Information about Immigration Action in School
Dear Families,
We have received questions about how we would respond if agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) visited our schools. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently ended the policy that limited enforcement actions in or around schools.
Supreme Court Ruling
It’s important to know that in 1982 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that undocumented students who reside in a school district are entitled to attend school there. In other words, Glastonbury Public Schools must educate all children who live in Glastonbury, regardless of their immigration status. We welcome, value, and support all of our students.
School Procedures
Although we do not expect ICE or other government agents to visit our schools, we are prepared if it happens. ICE agents cannot enter non-public areas of an organization without consent or a valid judicial warrant signed by a federal judge, absent urgent circumstances (such as a public safety threat). Our school buildings are, in fact, not open to the public while students are in school.
Based on advice from our legal counsel, were an ICE agent to request entry to a school building, the school leader would:
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Verify the agent’s identity and credentials
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Confirm the agent has a valid warrant
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Notify the student’s parents and the central office
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Cooperate, copy documents, and keep a detailed record of the visit
Record Privacy
Additionally, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of students’ education records. We cannot share student information, including attendance, without written consent from a parent or guardian, unless legally required (e.g., by a court order, subpoena, health/safety emergency).
We are committed to following the law and protecting the rights of all students and families. If you have questions about our procedures, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Alan B. Bookman, PhD.
Superintendent of Schools
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