Massachusetts Appleseed joins over three dozen civil rights and education groups on letter condemning Mystic Valley Regional Charter School dress code policy

Massachusetts Appleseed joined the American Civil Liberties Union, the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice and other civil rights and education groups on a letter to the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School demanding it permanently rescinded its dress code policy that bans hair extensions and hair that is more than 2 inches in height to ensure that African American students receive equal treatment. The letter also calls for the school to remove all detentions and suspensions imposed on students for violating these rules from the students records.

Our friends at the Greater Boston Legal Services School to Prison Pipeline Intervention Project have created these helpful fact sheets to guide students and parents of students who have been subjected to school discipline. Please note that these are for information purposes only and do not constitute legal advice or establish an attorney client relationship between Massachusetts Appleseed and any visitor to our website. Note also that there are two “know your rights” fact sheets below – one that applies only to Boston Public Schools students and the other that applies to students at all other public school districts. Additionally, the statewide know your rights fact sheets apply to district schools and charter schools, but they do NOT apply to parochial or other private schools. Finally, a student who is accused of possessing drugs, possessing weapons, or assaulting educational staff, will be subject to rules that are slightly different than presented on these sheets. If a student is accused of any of those offenses or charged with a felony, they should seek legal help.

Fact Sheets

Jonathan Chiel Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Fidelity Investments

Jonathan Chiel
Good Apple Award Recipient

Save the Date!

March 23, 2017
6:00 pm Reception
7:00 pm Award Ceremony
Boston Harbor Hotel, The Atlantic Room

10th Anniversary Good Apple Award

On Thursday, March 23rd 2017 Massachusetts Appleseed will host its 10th annual Good Apple reception at the Boston Harbor Hotel. We are pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Good Apple Award will be Jonathan Chiel, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Fidelity Investments.

The Good Apple Award is presented annually to a person in the legal community who exemplifies the true spirit of Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission; promoting equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. Throughout his career, Mr. Chiel has demonstrated his dedication to excellence in the law, public service and social justice and the reception will highlight his many accomplishments and commitment to caring for others.

As Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Fidelity Investments, Mr. Chiel also has responsibility for Fidelity’s Public Affairs and Policy Group. Prior to joining Fidelity he was General Counsel at John Hancock Financial Services, the US division of Manulife Financial and was a member of the Manulife Management Committee. Before joining Hancock, Mr. Chiel was a partner with Choate, Hall and Stewart in Boston, serving as chair of the firm’s Government Enforcement Practice Group. Earlier in his career, he was an assistant U.S. Attorney in the Boston office for 10 years, serving as Chief of the Criminal Division from 1993 to 1995. Mr. Chiel received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Harvard Law School.

Active in numerous civic, educational and charitable pursuits, Mr. Chiel currently serves as a director on the boards of the Boston Bar Foundation and the Maimonides School. Unwavering in his commitment to fairness and social justice, Mr. Chiel represents the very best in our legal community and is a “Good Apple” in the truest sense.

For sponsorship opportunities or tickets, please contact Stephanie Adler at stephanie@massappleseed.org.

Invitation (PDF)
Sponsor Pledge Form (PDF)
2017 Good Apple Award Recipient (PDF)