A group of BTU members pictured alongside Mayor Michelle Wu at the 54th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast on Monday. Check out our photo album.
Good morning,
The BTU had the honor of joining the 54th Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Day Breakfast on Monday as one of the co-sponsors, and we draw inspiration from this year’s theme: Keeping the Promise of Democracy. As a union, we are one of the stewards of Dr. King’s dream and we will continue to answer the call to fight for equality, justice and compassion for our communities.
We are inspired by the resilience and passion our members expressed at our monthly membership meeting last week. Our students, school communities and union are confronting challenges on multiple fronts this year. The district has announced two closures, multiple grade consolidations and has provided fluctuating guidance on the implementation of our Inclusion Done Right agenda. The expiration of federal ESSER funds is putting pressure on school budgets and may result in some painful staffing choices. Unions continue to face blowback from private interests who fear the strength of our broader labor movement. (If you have received an email or mailer from one of these anti-union groups, please be sure to stay informed).
Despite these challenges, our members continue to exhibit a deep commitment to fighting for our students, parents and school communities and the values that shape our mission. Some of our strongest allies are the advocacy organizations and BPS parents who have stood alongside us before. As Executive Board member Cecil Carey said last week: “Our contract is our Sword and Shield, and our community is the force behind it.” We are on track to have our members vote to approve our new contract campaign package at our February 14th membership meeting and hope to see you there!
We have a number of public events planned for the coming weeks to organize and mobilize our broader family around legislative priorities and our contract campaign. A tangible first step is to let us know your thoughts on the BPS Facility plan by filling out this survey. for our office. Please also see the future opportunities to learn more about the plan and how it may impact you and your schools.
Check out the community events section below for more opportunities to get involved.
Last week, schools received their first round of inclusive education budget allocations based on the requests made by Inclusion Planning Teams. BPS has shared that classroom based instructional direct service lead teaching positions were prioritized in the allocation decisions and that current ESSER funded positions were not included. We heard from many schools that most allocations were far less than what was requested and the decision letter provided very little information to schools about how that allocation was derived, especially compared to the time and detail that was expected in the school submissions. We are asking that all IPTs share their response letters from the district with BTU Inclusion Liaison Katie DeLaRosa. Everyone should be able to access them.
The next steps for school teams is to meet as IPTs and provide feedback to BPS on the allocations. You can see the feedback form to learn what questions are being asked. When teams complete the feedback they should be prepared to provide as much hard data as possible to show the gap between what the school can provide now and what IEP and ESL service minutes students need. The BTU recommendation is to show the math for minutes of student needs and how many teachers are required to fill these needs without using multiple licenses at the same time.
This feedback form is a BPS process to be used between schools and central office for their budget collab and probable org meetings. The BTU is finalizing another process for appeals that members can use at any time during implementation and is not limited to budget allocations. This appeal process involves the Inclusion Working Group and is part of the most recent contract. More specific details are coming soon.
We are grateful to BTU members Kristen Leathers and Edna Leith, Instructional Coaches from OMME, for coming to present on the changes we have been hearing about to SEI programming and answering the questions that they could. Check out the slides from the presentation. Due to continuing concerns from our educators, parent allies and EL/MLL advocates, we are advocating against this current, rushed SEI classroom transition plan and FOR a thoughtful and more planful transition that will set our EL and MLL’s, our educators and families up for success.
We are also continuing to advocate on behalf of our retired members to pass legislation that would reform the R+ program and we need your help. If you haven’t already done so, call the House Speaker’s Office to ask that our bills before the Joint Committee on Public Service be reported out favorably before the deadline for action on February 9th. Please call 617-722-2500 and leave a brief, polite message asking the House Leadership to take immediate action. Check out our political action page for more information.
With all of these issues, it’s always good to remember why we advocate, organize and fight: for the schools and communities our students, families and educators all deserve. Our classrooms are where we find our joy and purpose so we were happy to have the opportunity to visit the Blackstone middle school yesterday to read to 4th and 5th grade classes. Some of our officers and staff joined AFT-MA President Beth Kontos and Secretary-Treasurer Brant Duncan in distributing more than 300 copies of Love is Loud, a non-fiction picture book documenting the story of oft overlooked civil rights icon Diane Nash. Students also received copies of Nikhil Out Loud. Check out some photos from our latest in-school reading.
Thank you all for the time and effort you dedicate to our causes. In the spirit of MLK Jr., let us continue to march together. Self-care is key when it comes to preparing to contribute to our mission, so we encourage you all to gather with us to connect, recuperate and celebrate this Friday at our BTU Winter Party.
Make sure to let our office know if you plan on coming to our BTU Winter Party. Registration is strongly encouraged for planning purposes.
BTU Events and Announcements
BLM at School 2024 Event Registration and T-Shirt Order Form TODAY
The BTU is participating a national week of action with schools and organizations across the country from February 5th through the 9thIf you would like to order a shirt please place your order by January 17th and send $25 to venmo at @ls_928 or bring cash or check to the BTU. Registration Link.
BTU Member Winter Party: THIS FRIDAY January 19
Come gather with your union siblings and colleagues for a winter celebration at the BTU Hall at 180 Mt. Vernon St. in Dorchester. There will be food, dancing and refreshments. Please register ahead of time.
NEW-Childcare and Early Education Town Hall: January 20
Parents, families, educators and community members please join us to share with your elected leaders why childcare & early education matter to you and what needs to be done to make a system that works for you. We will hear from Early educators, Family childcare providers and Parents. Bring your stories and your solutions. Register here and check out the flyer below.
NEW- Personnel Subcommittee SSC Training Zoom Workshop: Monday, January 22, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
This workshop will cover the important roles & responsibilities of the SSC/governing board in selecting the Personnel Subcommittee to hire school based BTU teacher unit members. Support to ensure that the Personnel Subcommittee runs efficiently will be provided including Q&A. Any questions please contact Caren Carew at ccarew@btu.org. For information on how to register, please see this Flyer
NEW- Trainings for BTU Building Reps and Member Leaders: Today
We continue to offer trainings with the aim of equipping our members with the knowledge and tools they can immediately use in the coming weeks.
Wed. 1/17 at 4:30 on Zoom: Get to Know Your Contract: MasterContract Deep Dives
Mon. 1/29 at 5pm at BTU: Faculty Senate Training
Thurs. 2/8 at 4:30 on Zoom: Increasing Union Engagement In Your Building
Learn more and register at bit.ly/BTUwws24
NEW-BTU Community Contract Forum for BPS Students and Families: Jan 30, 6-7:30pm
Students and Families: Learn how your input shaped the BTU’s proposals. Help determine what to prioritize and fight for together! Join us at the St. Stephen’s Youth Programs at 419 Shawmut Ave. 02118. Food, childcare, interpretation available with advanced registration. Register here: bit.ly/BTUccf
NEW- Thrive Act Day of Action: January 30
Join us and our community allies for a day of action in support of the Thrive Act. We’ll come together in-person and virtually across the state to take action, bring communities together, and grow people power across Massachusetts. The time is always right to build an accountability and assessment system rooted in our most impacted communities. Register to learn more about how you can fight for educational excellence.
NEW- Important dates for paraprofessionals: February Deadlines
There are multiple important dates for paraprofessionals pertaining to transfer requests, excess and layoff notices approaching in the coming months. Check out this breakdown for more information.
NEW-Seeking Feedback on Professional Development Trainings
Telescope Network, BPS, an the BTU Para Professional Development Committee are looking for some feedback to help plan future PD offerings. Please consider filling out the para survey
NEW- Climate Resilient Schools Coalition Network: February 8
The Climate Resilient Schools Coalition is a diverse network that empowers teachers, students and community members to catalyze rigorous climate education and infrastructure improvements in Massachusetts schools by passing and implementing climate action resolutions at the district level. Register for the inaugural meeting of the Climate Resilient Schools Organizing Network on February 8 from 4pm-5pm. In the meantime, fill out this brief, 2-minute survey to get involved and stay connected with organizers statewide who are working to build more climate resilient schools.
Bilingual Education/Accelerated Community to Teachers(BE/ACTT):
The program is designed for paraeducators and others who wish to become BPS teachers. Our program is “accelerated” in that we offer coursework, MTEL preparation, and several experiences and opportunities to get hired in the district- all in 12 months! Join us for an Informational Session on February 13th from 4-6p.m. at the BTU Hall to learn more, and also see our flyer.
Paraprofessional Online Vector Training
This “IORAD training” provides step-by-step instructions to get on to Vector and enroll in any PD offered to them. This training with help you learn how access Vector and how use Vector. You can find the presentation here.
A Conversation with Kim Kelly: February 4
Kim Kelly, the author of “Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor”, will be speaking at the BTU Hall to discuss how past labor struggles and organizing tactics can inform our practices today. This is open to the public, please make sure to register ahead of time.
Retirement Planning Seminar: March 6
There will be a Retirement Planning seminar at the BTU Hall with guests from the Social Security Administration and City Of Boston Health Insurance attending. It is never too early to start planning for retirement. Find more details in this registration form.
The deadline to register for BTU-themed T-shirts is TODAY. You can still register for events after the T-Shirt deadline.
Professional Learning & Development Updates
Each week, we have many new and exciting Professional Learning & Development opportunities to share with you. You can find a full description of each listing on our Professional Learning & Development Updates Page.
- AFT Member Benefit Virtual Workshops
- Secondary Open Up Math Unit Virtual Previews
- Degree Completion
- National Board Certification Leader Team Seeks Leaders and Readers
- Secondary Leadership Certificate in Critical & Equitable Literacy
- Connect & Share on “Foundational Literacy”: January 18, 5:30-7:00 pm on Zoom
- Telescope Illustrative Math Planning Cohort: January 24, 12pm-3pm
- SLIFE Math & Native Literacy Learning Site: February 5
- Racial Trauma Resource
BTU President Jessica Tang and Elementary Field Rep. Lea-Serena Antoinette joined BTU staff and officers alongside AFT-MA to read to 4th and 5th graders at the Blackstone Elementary school. Check out the rest of the photos on Facebook.
Community News & Events
National Board Info Session January 17
Are you interested in starting the process of National Board Certification? The BPS/BTU National Board Program currently has many types of support sessions available. Join us on January 17th 6:00pm (on zoom) for an overview of the National Board Certification process and benefits. Register here
MassCEC’s Equity Workforce Training, Equipment, and Infrastructure Grants: DEADLINE JANUARY 19
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is offering direct funding and technical assistance to organizations and vocational schools that can build and scale career pathways leading to climate-critical priority occupations for individuals from Environmental Justice (EJ) neighborhoods or low-income communities, members of Federally recognized and State-acknowledged Tribes, Fossil Fuel Workers, and other underrepresented populations. Learn More about the grant process here.
NEW-Boston Education Justice Alliance Retreat: Sat, Jan 27, 10-3pm at the BTU
Join BEJA for organizational wide retreat. Learn from community mapping and strategizing for 2024. Check out the flyer here and help us grow!
Iron Workers Local 7 4th Annual School Supply Drive: February 24
Our union siblings are hosting a school supply drive at their union hall located at 195 Old Colony Ave. in South Boston. They’ll be accepting donations at this location up until the date. All teachers, parents and students are welcome.
Click here for tonight’s Zoom Link
Register for this important event here
In Memoriam
Thomas Francis Hocker of Quincy MA formerly of Dorchester and Brighton, unexpectedly passed on January 11. He was a longtime BPS teacher at the Trotter Elementary School and Boston Latin Academy. He is survived by Karen and their loving sons Ryan and Declan. Funeral Mass is in St. Brendan’s Church on Gallivan blvd. in Dorchester on Saturday Jan. 20th.
Our thoughts are with the Hocker family.
Thank You for Reading
Please send your comments and questions to us at bulletin@btu.org, or call the BTU at 617-288-2000.