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July 22, 2020
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We appreciated the opportunity to co-host the Educators Town Hall with Senator Elizabeth Warren, AFT Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Teachers Association tonight. Thank you to everyone who tuned in and asked important, thought-provoking questions on the reopening of our schools. Shout out to BTU member Sam Texeira who asked an important question on accessible childcare for families. You can watch a recording of the livestream here.
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Dear member,
We hope this email finds you all well and enjoying the summer weather. It's hard to believe that we are already approaching the end of July. As we get closer to the beginning of another school year, we will continue to communicate pertinent information through periodic summer bulletins.
BPS shared their reopening plans tonight at School Committee. When it was shared yesterday with union leaders, we raised dozens of questions pertaining to it and advised that they did not present it until those questions could be answered. We are disappointed to share that despite repeated efforts over the last few months, weeks and days to meet with the district and share our ideas, questions and concerns before BPS shared a reopening plan draft, BPS cancelled our Reopening Task Force Subcommittee Meetings last week, cancelled our Collective Bargaining Committee meeting on Friday and cancelled our negotiating meeting yesterday. Contrary to what was suggested at the Boston School Committee tonight, just like the principals and all other unions representing BPS staff, WE HAD NO INPUT into the first draft of this plan. Unsurprisingly, it is totally out of touch with reality and what will be needed to safely, thoughtfully, and equitably reopen schools under a realistic timeline.
And despite assurances that we would get results of the staff survey, we have not received them, so we have made our own. Please fill out this survey by logging into the member portal. You need to be a working, active member in order to complete the survey. Thank you to all of the members of the Collective Bargaining Committee and Negotiating Team for helping to put this together.
The responses to this survey will continue to inform our advocacy and our next steps as a union. As much as we want to return in peron, we cannot return without assurances of baseline health and safety for all students and staff and a thoughtful plan on how to prepare educators for an equitable reopening. The district must respond to our questions and heed our expertise if this is to happen. It is unfathomable that not a single teacher has been at the table where these conversations and decisions have been happening despite our repeated requests to share our ideas and collaborate.
As we continue to advocate for stakeholder voice in decision-making at the federal and local levels, it is important that we do everything in our power to continue to build upon the movement for the safe and equitable reopening of our schools and get ready to take action. If you missed the Reopening Schools Panel with Senator Warren this evening, you can still view the recording. On Monday, August 3, we will be hosting the "BTU Budget Forum on Fighting for Fully Funded Schools and Committees" from 5-7pm. The forum will include presentations on the State and City budgets and how we fight for the funding our schools and communities need.
Our budget forum is being held locally as part of the national Demand Safe Schools collective's National Day of Resistance. The national collective of teacher unions is advocating for 8 demands in order to reopen schools safely, including: no reopening until the scientific data supports it, safe conditions, equitable access to online learning, and more. Read more about the collective's purpose, demands, tactics and targets. Please see more details on our local event below.
We are also partnering with 10 parent-led organizations to call for more parent voices in the decision-making around the transition to school this fall. You can read the Institution for Educational Leadership's open letter, and encourage your networks to contact their schools and make their voices heard.
In addition to August 3 event, please save the date for the next BTU Summer "Town Hall" for BTU members on Wednesday August 12 at 3:00pm. Please be sure to register in advance for the Zoom link. Similar to our membership meetings, we will be sharing the latest updates on reopening plans, share reports on current campaigns and have an opportunity for a Q&A.
We continue to amplify the voices of our members and many have been quoted in several publications recently, speaking out about the concerns and suggestions educators have about reopening. Check out Young Achievers pre-K inclusion teacher Chantei Alves' interview on WBUR, as well as McKinley Elementary nurse Jonathan Haines' quotes in the Globe and the Herald. Jonathan is a member of the Behavioral Health Faculty Senate and the Nurse Faculty Senate of the BTU, who recently released their statements on the reopening of our public schools.
We are continuing our advocacy and solidarity efforts within the Black Lives Matter movement. The Executive Board voted to support the NAACP Boston's petition to "Suspend Boston Exam Schools Admissions Testing for One Year." You can also learn more from an important series by the AFT: Making Black Lives Matter by Investing in Black Communities. The BTU's work is recognized in the third segment.
We are always looking for members to join our BTU Volunteer Corps! If you find yourself with a little extra time this summer, please sign up for regular updates!
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Following are a few other important updates and reminders:
- BPS is hosting Zoom meeting to gather feedback about fall reopening plans. You can find information on upcoming meetings on the BPS website along with a rough reopening timeline and a survey to share your thoughts. Please share the information with parents and families, too.
- Reminder: We will be offering virtual tutoring through an extended Homework Helpers program through August 13. Please share our flyer (also in Spanish and Haitian-Creöle) and contact Brenda Chaney with any questions.
- The AFT's 2020 convention will be held online from July 28 - July 30. You can learn more about the convention on the AFT's website.
- For those utilizing Pandemic EBT funds, an additional $199.50 in food benefits were automatically added to each P-EBT card on June 24th. Families can now use these additional funds.
- A quick note on insurance for retirees who have chosen Harvard Pilgrim Enhance with Aetna SilverScript PDP as their Medicare Supplement: Those who have a new carrier for prescriptions are encouraged to call that new provider to make sure all current prescriptions have transferred over.
- Continue to submit your COVID-related questions or concerns on our Google Form. We will continue to check responses over the summer as we continue with negotiating reopening plans.
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BTU Events and Announcements
Find out more about BTU News and Announcements.
NEW- Sign up for First Book!
BTU, AFT, and First Book are working together to bring more than 35,000 brand new books to children and educators in Boston! To help make this happen, we need you to register now with First Book. Please register by Friday, July 31 so that BTU will qualify to receive books on September 23!
NEW- Education Meet & Greet with Joe Gravellese: July 31, 8:00 - 9:00AM
Join BTU-endorsed State Representative candidate Joe Gravellese (16th Suffolk District - Revere, Chelsea, Saugus) for a meet and greet on to discuss the important issues of education and equity, which Joe has made central to his campaign.
NEW- To Possess Freedom Once Again Events: Through July 27
We're proud to be co-hosting these important workshops centered on BIPOC business, culture and social change, invites participants to practice freedom through political education, participatory decision making, social exchange and more. See here for a full list of events and registration information.
NEW- BTU Budget Forum on Fighting for Fully Funded Schools and Committees: August 3, 5:00 - 7:00PM
The forum will include presentations on the State and City budgets by Mass Budget & Policy Center and BPS parent Heshan Berents-Weeramuni, and discussion on how we fight for the funding our schools and communities need, now more than ever. For questions, please contact Ilene Carver.
NEW- Crip Camp Virtual Screening: August 6, 6:00 - 9:00PM
Join the Inclusion Done Right Campaign in celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with a virtual screening of the award-winning documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution. RSVP to get the Zoom link to attend.
NEW- National Healthcare Workforce Infection Prevention Control (IPC) Training Initiative
APALA, BTU, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are collaborating on an infection prevention and control training initiative for frontline healthcare personnel. In order for this training to be as responsive to the needs of AAPI healthcare workers as possible, we are asking you to complete this survey on IPC training interests, needs, and preferences.
National Board Leadership Team Seeking Applicants!
The BPS/BTU National Board Leadership Team is seeking new teacher applicants to support program development efforts beginning immediately and continuing through SY 20-21. You can apply here and reach out with any questions.
Teachers as Scholars
The BTU is proud to renew the Boston partnership with Teachers as Scholars which provides short courses taught by leading professors and experts. Under this partnership, the BTU can provide tuition for up to 15 members to attend a course of their choice (space permitting). Please check out the 2020-21 course offerings, and the TAS website for more information. To enter to win a free course, please complete this form. We will conduct a random drawing in early September.
NEW- Growing Resilience BPS Schoolyards Project
Our volunteer members are growing food in school gardens and distributing through BPS food sites. Read up on their progress here.
SEL & Welcoming Communities Paraprofessional Professional Development: September 8 & 9
Join this professional development session to build your understanding of the SEL Competencies: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, Relationship Skills and Decision Making and to learn strategies and skills to deepen relationships with students.
Students Help Students
Students Help Students is dedicated to providing fun enrichment classes for middle schoolers this summer. Learn more here.
Unafraid Educators' Relief Fund for Boston Students & Families
Please donate to and share the Relief Fund with your networks. All BPS students and families are eligible to apply.
The Status of Teacher Leadership in Boston Public Schools
The Teacher Leadership Working Group has released its report 2020 Teacher Leadership Inventory — The Status of Teacher Leadership in Boston Public Schools. Read the report and recommendations and share your feedback.
Updates from the Telescope Network
Three reasons to visit our website this week: Sign up for virtual Teacher Summer Institute; read our June needs assessment report; and check out our 2020 Annual report.
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Professional Learning & Development Updates
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| Each week, we have many new and exciting Professional Learning & Development opportunities to share with you.
- New AFT Professional Learning Modules
- Closing the Literacy Achievement Gap in Elementary Education: August 17 - 18
- Year 13: An Innovative Bridge Year
- Mass Department of Education Webinars
- What's Good In The Classroom Is Good Remotely: July 30 - August 13
- Becoming Anti-Racist Series 2: August 4 - 25
- TGH Summer Webinar Series: Through August 11
- Mindful Teaching Courses: Through August 14
- National Board Summer Learning
- Male Educators of Color (MEOC) Executive Coaching Leadership Program - SY20-21
- Women Educators of Color (WEOC) Executive Coaching Leadership Program - SY20-21
- AFT Share My Lesson Free Webinars and PreK-12 Activities
- Perrone-Sizer Institute for Creative Leadership BPS Fellowship 2020-2021
- Flux Teacher Institute
- Debate-Inspired Classrooms Graduate Class: August 10-14
- Webinars on Demand
- M.A. in Creative Writing and Literature for Educators
- Brandeis Teacher Leadership Program
- Resources For Families
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We're (Remote) Learning Here
Emma Fialka-Feldman and Julia Goodman teach second grade at Dudley Street Neighborhood School, an in-district charter. This past spring, they recruited and organized a group of adults to be online reading buddies for their students – starting after spring break and continuing through the end of the school year. Click here to read more.
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NEW- Immigrant History Initiative
The Immigrant History Initiative, led by founders Julia Chang Wang and Kathy Lu, hosts curriculum and resources for young people on issues such as Chinese American History, Anti-Asian Racism, and Bystander Invervention. Check out this important initiative and share with your networks!
NEW- Fill'er Up Program
Join the City of Boston for this four-week challenge to discover the short- and long-term health benefits of proper hydration. Learn more and register here!
B-SAFE Summer Program
B-SAFE is running modified, in-person summer programming for youth grades 1-8 in the South End and Lower Roxbury/Lenox. You can access the application in English and Spanish.
Two Blogs Exploring "The Talk" and White Silence
Read these posts from bloggers Lisa Thomas and Kelly Booz, each sharing deeply personal reflections on recent events since George Floyd’s murder.
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| Thank You for Reading
Please send your comments and questions to us at bulletin@btu.org, or call the BTU at 617-288-2000.
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180 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester
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Tel: (617) 288 -2000
Fax: (617) 288 -0024
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