TODAY — Fund Our Future leafleting in Dudley Square
We will meet at the Bolling Building from 3:00-6:00pm and pass our informational flyers to passersby, encouraging them to call their legislators about the Promise Act. Email Natalia at ncuadrasaez@btu.org or text 857-267-1469 if you’re able to join.
TOMORROW — Fund Our Future Lil’ Lobby Day
We will join MEJA and other groups from 1:00-4:00pm at the State House to meet with lawmakers and share our stories about the need for fully funded schools. Read more on Facebook.
NEW — SMART Plan Meetings: July 23 and August 19
Do you know if you’re on the right track for retirement? The SMART 457(b) Plan offers tax advantaged savings to help you build a more secure retirement. Our SMART Plan Advisor, Marianne Cole, will hold meetings on July 23rd from 10:00am-2:00pm AND August 19th from 12:00pm-4:30pm at the BTU in Conference Room C on both dates. Please RSVP to smart@empower-retirement.com, and specify if you are currently enrolled. For those in the plan, we are offering Retirement Readiness Reviews to provide more comprehensive overviews of participants’ financial pictures, and assist with a personalized savings and investment plan based on your unique goals.
NEW — Free Yoga at the BTU: July 23 and 30
Free Yoga classes for City of Boston employees are happening at the BTU from 6:30-7:30pm on July 23 and 30. Additionally, classes will take place at City Hall in the Piemonte Room, 5th Floor, on July 18 and July 25 from 1:00-2:00pm. Support for these classes is a result of the work of the Public Employee Committee’s Wellness Sub-Committee and negotiations with city employees’ health insurance providers. All are welcome.
SAVE THE DATE — Sixth Annual BTU Back To School Fair: September 21
We’re excited to confirm our Sixth Annual BTU Back to School Fair for BPS families, September 21 from 1:00-4:00pm at the BTU and Carson Beach! Educators, please sign up for First Book for free and reduced price books. It also helps us keep this event and partnership growing in coming years! Visit firstbook.org/aft to sign up. We are also looking volunteers beginning Wednesday, September 18 to help sort books. Also please consider bringing students to volunteer as a community service project. All volunteers will receive free books for helping out!
Seeking New Member of Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) Panel
There is an opening for a new BTU appointee on the PAR Panel, which governs the Peer Assistance and Review Program. For more information about this paid opportunity which entails significant additional work, please see the Boston PAR website and the job description of panel members. Questions about the role can be directed to PAR Panel members at lfranty@bostonpublicschools.org or melliott@bostonpublicschools.org. To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to Erik Berg at eberg@btu.org.
BTU Unafraid Educators Scholarship
BTU Unafraid Educators has created a scholarship to help students with immigration issues pay for college. More than 40 students have applied, and come from all over the globe. Some have DACA or TPS, some have pending asylum or green card applications, and some are completely undocumented They are all graduates of the Boston Public Schools and they deserve a shot to further their education. Please consider a tax-free donation. Their total need is more than $350,000.
Apply to be a BTU Member Organizer (school-year position)!
The BTU Member Organizer program capitalizes on our most valuable resource as a union — our members — to build union power and activism. The BTU seeks 6 Member Organizers to contribute to fostering a culture of organizing, member engagement, and activism among a broad base of BTU members and allies. Member Organizers receive training and coaching on the basics of effective organizing. View the flyer.
BPS Teaching Fellowship seeking applications!
As a homegrown pipeline program, the BPS Teaching Fellowship supports the recruitment of new teachers into the district as well as the retention of BPS Prov 2 & 3 novice teachers. Over the course of SY 2019-2020, BPS Teaching Fellows will receive MTEL preparation, instructional coaching, and aligned coursework. Upon successful completion of the program, Fellows will earn their initial license in Special Education (Moderate Disabilities) or in English as a Second Language (either of these is available with the option of dual licensure in Elementary). The BPSTF application can be found here. For additional information, contact bpsteachingfellowship@bostonpublicschools.org.