The Power of Unions
We are glad to hear that our fellow educators in West Virginia won the demands of their statewide strike! Oklahoma and Arizona educators are also getting ready to strike as they stand up for their students, schools, and their own treatment. We stand in solidarity with teachers in West Virginia, Arizona, and Oklahoma and with all workers taking collective action to improve their working conditions.
Yesterday, a Boston Globe article emphasized how millennials and white-collar workers are bringing growth to unions here in Massachusetts and across the country.
Membership Meeting
Please be advised that our monthly membership meeting will be this Wednesday, March 14 beginning at 4:30 PM. If there is another snow day tomorrow, the meeting will be moved to next Wednesday, March 21.
During our membership meeting, we will be joined by City Councilor Kim Janey, the new vice-chair of the Council’s Education Committee. We will also be discussing school safety and making posters for the March For Our Lives. If your school’s Building Reps did not receive stickers for the actions, please let us know; additional stickers can be picked up at the office or during the membership meeting. Check out our online resources. Please see the full meeting agenda, and don’t forget to sign up for childcare if you need it.
New 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!
BTU Events & Committee Meetings
Meetings scheduled for today, March 13, including HUB Schools, the Inclusion Committee, and the Restorative Practices IEP Meetings Circle, are rescheduled unless you have heard otherwise.
NEW — SPED / Inclusion Meeting for Parents, Educators, and Community Members: Saturday, March 17
Please join us from 9:30 AM to 12 PM at the BTU (breakfast at 9!). We invite parents, educators, and community members for a meeting to organize around SPED and inclusion as a follow-up from our workshop at the BTU Parent Conference. Please RSVP and request childcare using this form.
NEW — Puerto Rican Educators Meeting: Monday, March 19
Please join Puerto Rican educators from 4:30-6:30 PM at the BTU to discuss ideas for supporting incoming families and students and other organizing efforts. Email fassiraj@btu.org to RSVP.
Haitian Educators Committee Meeting: Monday, March 19
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 at the BTU. RSVP by emailing jrodrigues@btu.org.
NEW — Unafraid Educators Meeting: Tuesday, March 20
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at Fenway High School. To RSVP, email fassiraj@btu.org.
NEW — Rally in Support of Raise Up Massachusetts: Tuesday, March 20
Join us on on March 20 at 6 PM at the Cathedral of St. Paul (138 Tremont Street in downtown Boston) to ask our legislators to pass comprehensive Paid Family and Medical Leave and a $15 minimum wage for all workers in Massachusetts. RSVP using this form.
New History Standards Feedback Session: Tuesday, March 20
Please join us from 5-7 PM at the BTU. RSVP by emailing jrodrigues@btu.org. History and Social Studies Curriculum Frameworks changes feedback sessions: see more information and a full list of workshops.
Black Caucus Paint Night at the BTU Lounge: Friday, March 23
Please join us at 5:30. See the flyer and RSVP using this form.
NEW — Inclusion Meeting: Monday, March 26
Join us from 4:30-6:30 at the BTU. To RSVP, email jrodrigues@btu.org.
NEW — Restorative Justice Meeting: Monday, March 26
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at the BTU. To RSVP, email 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. We need more counselors in our schools to provide mental health services, restorative circles, and conflict resolution. RSVP with sltrotz@gmail.com.