Greetings: On Friday, November 18, at all BPS sites, our members will be holding signs and demonstrating before school to call attention to our stalled negotiations. Our message: Talk to TeachersTomorrow we hold our November membership meeting at 4:00, and we will confirm preparations for our school-by-school demonstration to be held on Friday, 11/18. At the membership meeting will have available signs, stickers, and fliers for distribution. But our main course (pun intended) of business at the membership meeting will be to get ready for the 18th.
Here's what we ask all BTU reps to do:
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Here's what we ask members to do on the 18th:| Election Alert: Boston Elections Scheduled for November 8th |
The following individuals have been endorsed for Boston City Council: Bill Linehan: District 2 Felix Arroyo: At Large Frank Baker: District 3 Will Dorcena: At Large Charles Yancey: District 4 Steve Murphy: At Large Matt O'Malley: District 6 Ayanna Pressley: At Large  Michael Ross: District 8 Mark Ciommo: District 9 Tito Jackson: District 7 |
| Michelle Rhee is Speaking on 11/9 |
Michelle Rhee is speaking on November 9 at 8:00 PM at Symphony Hall. We will be sending a  busload of members there after our regularly-scheduled membership meeting earlier in the evening. Bring your erasers and bubble sheets as we join forces with a host of others to protest Michelle Rhee's high stakes fraud-filled, national effort to boost test scores at any cost. The event begins at 6:30 PM outside Symphony Hall. Here's our home made sign for the event. |
| Save the Date: Supt. and BTU Pres. Discuss Contract |
| Save the Date: On Monday, 11/14, at 6:30, BTU President Richard Stutman and School Superintendent Carol Johnson will speak on the status of contract negotiations at an event sponsored by Boston United for Students. The event will be held at Freedom House in Roxbury. You need to RSVP to attend the forum, so please RSVP here today. Space is very limited. Please RSVP now. |
| Education in the News: New RTTT Performance Evaluation Guidelines Bring Problems in Tennessee and NY |
In Tennessee as reported in the New York Times 'Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who has the job of implementing President Obama's signature education program, praised Tennessee officials for having "the courage, capacity and commitment to turn their ideas into practices that can improve outcomes for students." 'Gov. Bill Haslam, a Republican, called his state "the focal point of education reform in the nation." Tennessee's new motto is "First to the Top." 'So you would think that educators like Will Shelton, principal of Blackman Middle School here, would be delighted. The state requires that teachers be evaluated by their students' test scores, and that principals get into classrooms regularly to observe teachers. 'Mr. Shelton is a big believer in both. 'But not this. "I've never seen such nonsense," he said. "In the five years I've been principal here, I've never known so little about what's going on in my own building." Mr. Shelton has to spend so much time filling out paperwork that he's stuck in his office for long stretches...' 'The new rules, enacted at the start of the school year, require Mr. Shelton to do as many observations for his strongest teachers - four a year - as for his weakest. "It's an insult to my best teachers," he said, "but it's also a terrible waste of time." Read More. In Long Island, New York as reported in Newsday: 'More than 300 Long Island public school principals, from about two-thirds of the districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties have united against the state's evaluation system that links teacher ratings to student test scores, saying it is being rushed into place and is "seriously flawed."...' |
| House Passes Pension Changes |
In a unanimous vote members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives have passed changes to the state pension plan that will raise retirement ages and reduce benefits for future employees. The bill passed 151-0. While the House bill is similar to one that passed the Senate in September after weeks of contentious debate — and heated opposition from public employee unions including AFT Massachusetts — it would allow teachers, paraprofessionals and other public employees to retire at 57. The Senate bill sets the minimum retirement age at 60. Both bills will only affect future hires, not individuals who are already in the state retirement system. |
| Trivia Night at the BTU |
| NEW BTU EVENT! A fun night for a good cause! Trivia NIGHT at the BTU to Benefit Rosie's Place and Pine Street Inn.
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| School Site Council Training |
Co-sponsored by the BTU & BPS All members of the SSC are welcome (BTU Members, Students, Parents & Administrator) to attend. Please RSVP the week prior to the session you are attending to Caren Carew.
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| Fund Raiser for the Ohrenberger and Beethoven Schools |
| The Ohrenberger and Beethoven schools are raffling off a Bruins Team Autographed Stick. Chances are $1 each or 6 for $5. The drawing is November 19, 2011 and you need not be present to win. Michael Maguire, a parent at the Beethoven, will have raffle tickets at the membership meeting on November 9, 2011. |
| Free Flu Shots At BTU |
The city  of Boston is giving flu shots on December 13 from 1-5. All BTU members, all city employees and residents are welcomed to attend. All recipients must be 3+ years old.We are glad to offer this benefit and appreciate the city's help. |
| Wheelock College's Aspire Institute Offers Mentorships |
The EMC-AmeriCorps Program is a service initiative of the Aspire Institute at Wheelock College that mobilizes skilled, experienced educators to help support, inspire and retain the next generation of urban teachers. These educators serve as mentors to teachers after their first year in Boston and Chelsea Public Schools and preschools. Ideal candidates are retired or working part-time, have ten or more years of experience working as educators, and live or can travel to the Greater Boston area. As AmeriCorps members, mentors receive small stipends and other benefits. If you or anyone you know may be interested in this exciting opportunity, please reach out to us or apply online! For more information. |
| Boston Teacher & Photographer Presents Bird Exhibit |
| Boston-based photographer Eduardo del Solar will be showing his nature photography in an exhibit entitled "Birds of the Americas" at Joppa Flats Education Center from November 6 through December 31. The public is cordially invited to meet the artist at a free gallery reception on Sunday, November 6, 2:30-4:00 pm. A portion of all purchases made during the exhibit helps to support Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats. Eduardo del Solar finds that spending time inside as a technology teacher in Boston contrasts nicely with his extracurricular interest: to get outside in nature, find wildlife, wait for the best light, and take photographs. |
Honorary Charitable Event for a Great Educator |
| Please join us for a book-signing and celebration with Dr. Bill Henderson (former O'Hearn/Henderson School Principal) on Thursday November 10, 2011, From: 7-11 PM, Florian Hall, 55 Hallet Street, Dorchester The evening will feature a short book talk from Bill after which he will be available to sign books.The Blind Advantage will be available for purchase at the event. There will also be entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, a silent auction and raffle items. Donation: $20 per person in advance or at the door. (Please make checks payable to the Henderson Inclusion School) Please contact the school for additional information 617-635-8725. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Dr. William Henderson Inclusion Elementary School in Dorchester. |
| Retirement Party |
Elaine "Valerie" Almeida is celebrtating 30 years of teaching in the Boston Public Schools November 18th, 2011 from 5:00-10:00 pm, Franklin Park Club House, 1 Circuit Drive, Dorchester, Massachusetts 02121. $40 per person includes hors d'oeuvres and dinner: DJ and cash bar, The Franklin Park Club House is located at the Golf Course, near the intersection of Blue Hill Avenue, Columbia Road, and the Zoo. RSVP by November 4th, 2011 Mail checks, payable to "Dennis C. Haley Sunshine Fund", 570 American Legion Highway, Roslindale, MA 02131, Phone~ Marie McDonough 617-635-8169, Retirement Party honoring School Psychologists Ed Donnelly & Peter Tierney Thursday ~December 1st; Common Market, 97 Willard Street Quincy, MA 02169; 6~10 PM Cocktails~6:00 Dinner~7:00 Please mail checks by November 23 to: Kelly Cotton ,99 Westminister Ave, Watertown, MA 02472. |
| The BTU Online |
 Follow the BTU on Facebook.Visit the BTU website at www.btu.org. Sign up for our e-bulletin. Those who sign up are joining a protected list, which will be used for the purpose of sending these e-bulletins only. The list will not be used for any other purpose. |
Sincerely, Richard Stutman President Boston Teachers Union rstutman@btu.org 617-288-2000 |
