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March 20, 2018
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|  Please join the BTU this Saturday as we march from Madison Park to the Boston Common. RSVP using this form. | |
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| Dear BTU Member, Last Wednesday, despite the snow storm and snow day, hundreds of students from across Massachusetts marched to the State House and lobbied legislators around two major asks: We are proud to support the students in both of these demands. Please join our BTU contingent for the March For Our Lives in Boston this Saturday. We will have members participating in the march beginning at 11 AM from Madison Park, as well as at the rally beginning at 2 PM in Boston Common on the corner of Beacon and Charles Streets. Please RSVP using this form if you would like to join us! Poster making will take place after our membership meeting on Wednesday and from 9-10:30 AM in Madison Park's Cardinal Hall on Saturday morning. More information can be found on our website at btu.org/marchforourlives. To advocate for full funding of our schools, we have also been busy meeting with legislators at the State House to support full reimbursements of funds lost to charters (Boston has lost more than $100 million over the last five years because of this), as well as legislation to change the 25-year-old funding formula and implement the Foundation Budget Review Commission's recommendations in SB 2325. Look out this week for a special bulletin with a link you can use to send a letter in support of full funding and safe schools. We know we need funding for many needs, including behavioral health supports and social emotional learning. That's why our school psychologists, counselors, social workers, nurses and teachers have been testifying for several weeks at School Committee meetings. See this statement from a BPS school nurse on improved health services. Last week, they were also joined by students, parents and communities allies from the Boston Education Justice Alliance. This funding is one of the priorities in our contract package: Creating the Schools Our Students Deserve. Our Membership Meeting, postponed from last week, will take place this Wednesday, March 21 at 4:30 PM. Please see the full meeting agenda, which includes a visit from City Councilor Kim Janey, and don't forget to sign up for childcare if you need it. In the event of another snow day, we will postpone. If there is school, we will have the meeting and make it efficient. Have a great week!
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Join us this Saturday, March 24 from 8:30-11:30 AM for EdCamp BTU&BPS! EdCamp is a unique "unconference" form of professional development where those in attendance lead learning for one another according to their interests. Bring your ideas, your questions, your cool tools to share and your laptop. Register today, and see our flyer to learn more. (We will conclude by 11:30 so attendees can go to the March for our Lives.)
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Unafraid Educators Meeting: Today
Please join us today from 4:30-6:30 PM at Fenway High School. To RSVP, email Farah at fassiraj@btu.org. Rally in Support of Raise Up Massachusetts: Today
Join us on today at 6 PM at the Cathedral of St. Paul (138 Tremont Street) to ask legislators to pass Paid Family and Medical Leave and a $15 minimum wage. RSVP. New History Standards Feedback Session: Today
Please join us today from 5-7 PM at the BTU. RSVP by emailing Jonathan at jrodrigues@btu.org. History and Social Studies Curriculum Frameworks changes feedback sessions: see more. Inclusion Meeting: Monday, March 26
Join us from 4:30-6:30 at the BTU. To RSVP, email Jonathan at jrodrigues@btu.org. Restorative Justice Meeting: Monday, March 26
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at the BTU. To RSVP, email Farah at fassiraj@btu.org. Guidance Counselors Meeting: Tuesday, March 27
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at BTU. Guidance Counselors deserve to have nationally recognized case load standards. RSVP with sltrotz@gmail.com. BTU Women's Rights Breakfast: Saturday, March 31
Please join the BTU’s Women’s Rights Committee for their Annual Women’s Rights Breakfast on March 31 from 9:30-11:30 AM. This year we will be honoring State Senator Patricia Jehlen and Boston City Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George. Tickets are $25. Read more.
NEW -- ELL/SLIFE Committee Meeting: Monday, April 2
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at the BTU. RSVP by emailing Farah at fassiraj@btu.org. NEW -- Statewide Para Conference: Saturday, April 7
Please join us on April 7 at the BTU for a PSRP Conference hosted by the AFT and the BTU. Join us for a day of training and a chance enjoy time with your colleagues. Read more and download the registration form. Boston Area Educators for Social Justice Conference: Saturday, April 7
The 8th annual BESJ conference will take place on April 7. Read more and register! NEW -- Ansanm Nap Avanse / Forward Together: Saturday, April 7
Join educators, parents, community members and the BTU Haitian Educators Committee for a vibrant conversation on how we can support our Haitian families in BPS. Connect with resources, know your rights and more. Read more and RSVP.
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NEW -- Equity Protocols Training
The Office of Equity offers monthly Equity Protocols Training (EPT) in the Bolling Building. EPT gives BPS employees vital information about their rights and responsibilities regarding preventing and responding to bias-based conduct involving employees or students. All BPS employees are welcome. Registration is open on MyLearningPlan. Email gjung@bostonpublicschools.org with questions. Arts Expansion Fund: Grant Applications Due TODAY
The BPS Arts Expansion grant applications are available through the EdVestors website and are due today, March 20, at 4 PM. New this year are Individual Arts Educator Grants of up to $500. For questions, please email artsfund@edvestors.org or call 617-585-5451. Observation and Feedback Course
The wildly popular Observation and Feedback course is for evaluators in BPS or those interested in becoming evaluators, including peer evaluators. Dates are April 10, May 1 and June 5 from 8 AM to 2 PM. Register on My Learning Plan. See the draft of the course outline and the flyer for more info.
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NEW -- Job Share Info Meeting: This Thursday
Any teacher bargaining unit or paraprofessional bargaining unit member interested in job sharing, please attend this meeting run jointly between the BTU and BPS OHC on March 22 from 4-6 PM at the BTU. Job sharing allows people to split a position for which they are qualified, earn half pay, sick days, and retain full seniority and health insurance and health & welfare benefits. For further info please contact your respective BTU Field Rep: Caren, Mike, or Colleen. Resume and Job Search Supports: March 29
Hiring season has begun! If you need to spruce up your resume or get help with the process, join us for our next session on Thursday, March 29 at 4:30 at the BTU. Please sign up so we can plan for attendance. Accelerated Community to Teacher Applications: Due March 31
Interested in becoming a teacher in BPS? The Accelerated Community to Teacher (ACTT) Program is a part of a strategy to increase the diversity of exemplary educators. BPS paras and subs are encouraged to apply. All materials must be received by 11:59 PM on March 31. Apply online, and visit their website to learn more. Artifact Lounge: April 4
Our Peer Assistants and PAR Consulting Teachers continue their series of drop-in support sessions on in-demand topics. Sign-up on My Learning Plan or just stop by the Artifact Lounge on April 4 from 4-6 PM. Drop in for support in selecting and uploading artifacts and in writing rationales. Need Mentoring for Licensure?
Sign up for BPS Online Mentoring (BPSOM) to fulfill the "50 Hour Requirement for Professional Licensure." Beyond your first year of induction support, the Massachusetts DESE requires that you receive an additional 50 hours of mentoring in your 2nd/3rd years of teaching to be eligible for your professional teaching license. BPSOM Spring Session #3 beginning Monday, April 2 is now up on MyLearningPlan. Contact Ailis Kiernan at akiernan@bostonpublicschools.org for further assistance.
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NEW -- March BPS Science Social: This Friday
Join us for the first Science Social of the spring this Friday, March 23 from 3-7 PM at Dorchester Brewing Company (1250 Mass Ave, Dorchester). Appetizers will be generously provided by the UMass Boston COSMIC office. See the Science Socials website for details.NEW -- Self-Care, Many Voices: A Mindfulness Workshop for Educators: Sunday
Educators are invited to attend this mindfulness workshop for educators. Reserve your spot. NEW -- Teacher Residency: National Museum of the American Indian
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian has launched Native Knowledge 360°, a national initiative to promote improved teaching and learning about American Indians. Apply to their Teacher-in-Residence Program by March 30. Read more, and see the application. NEW -- Workshop: Building and Sustaining a Movement with Popular Education
BTU members are invited to join the US-El Salvador Sister Cities Network April 6-8 for a workshop in Cambridge on how to use popular education in our work. See the flyer.
Online Resource: Youth in Front
Over 100 volunteers created this new online resource, Youth in Front, for youth and adults seeking advice about youth activism. Please take a look and share!
Testing Charade Author Speaks in Boston: March 22
Come hear Daniel Koretz, author of The Testing Charade: Pretending to Make Schools Better, on Thursday, March 22 at the Church on the Hill, 140 Bowdoin Street. Register. New Teachers Retreat: July 13-15
Are you a teacher in your first three years? Join us at Keene State College for reflection, learning, and planning sessions as well as time to relax. Apply by April 2. Contact Ali at astewart@bostonpublicschools.org with questions. Rett Syndrome: BTU Family Raising Money to Support Research
Tracy Freeman, a 5th grade inclusion teacher at the Sumner, is raising money to support research into Rett Syndrome. Can you help to fund research for a cure? Or join them for a Character Lunch on April 8: see the flyer. School Nurse & Teacher Running Marathon to Support the Mather
Donna Airosus and Katie McCosker are running the Boston Marathon for the first time to raise money for the Mather. Support their run online today, or join them this Saturday, March 24 at the Blarney Stone (1509 Dorchester Ave.) from 5-8 PM.
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The AFT recently announced new programs available to members, which include free college -- students can enroll in this online distance-learning program with no costs for tuition, fees, or e-texts; mortgage program from Amalgamated Bank: this home financing program offers competitive interest rates and discounts on mortgages and refinancing; and Accidental Death & Dismemberment: all working AFT members have $5,000 of ADD coverage. Read more on the BTU website.
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| Obituary
We are sorry to inform you that retired BPS teacher Mary MacLellan died on March 6. She was beloved by students and staff at the Emerson and Hurley Schools. A funeral mass will be held on April 10 at 10 AM at St. Agnes Church (51 Medford Street in Arlington) with interment following. Mary was generous with her time and money, so in the spirit of Mary’s kindness and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice in the name of our friend and colleague.
On behalf of the BTU, we send our condolences to Mary's friends and family.
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Thank You for Reading
Please send your comments and questions to Jessica Tang, BTU President. Or call the BTU office at 617-288-2000. Request for bulletin additions must be received by Friday at 5 PM. Have a good week, and please check out the BTU website.
Thank you,
Jessica
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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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