NEW – Make-up day for October membership meeting: October 10
In observance of Yom Kippur, a make-up day for our October membership meeting will be held on Thursday, October 10 from 4:30 pm-5:30 pm. Don’t forget to request childcare if you need it.
NEW – Do you have a Juris Doctorate? Fill up this form
BPS and BTU are identifying teachers who have earned a Juris Doctorate to determine the most appropriate way to compensate them for their education. If you have a JD, please complete the form. Participation is voluntary.
NEW – Schedule A ELT Updates
Our new contract includes several changes to the ELT agreement, but many aspects remain the same. Following are the most frequently asked about issues:
- $200 Supply and Material Fund – This is unchanged. Each teacher in a Schedule A school continues to be allocated $200 for supplies. Schools should use the same/similar procedures for completing orders as they have in the past.
- TFT Time– The 40-minute teacher-directed collaborative planning time has been eliminated and is converted to individually directed P&D time for elementary teachers. For secondary teachers, this time may be converted to administratively directed CPT. Schools may choose to maintain TFT through a contractual waiver process.
- TFT Facilitator Stipends- This expenditure has been eliminated from the contract, but BPS has opted to continue the allocation for one year. The funds must be used for stipends, but the purpose of these stipends is at the discretion of the administrator.
For more information, see this memo which was sent to principals this summer, or contact Paul Tritter or Maggie Riddell.
NEW – Join our Retired Teachers Chapter Activist Network
The RTC is setting up a committee for this network. If you are interested in joining the RTC Activist Network, please fill up this form and send it to Marilyn Marion at mmarion@btu.org.
NEW – Fund for Teachers: Design Your Own Transformative PD
The BTU is a proud local partner of Fund for Teachers. Applications are now open for this year’s cycle. The Boston program is open to BPS and Boston charter school teachers to apply for grants of $5000 (individuals) or $10,000 (teams) to design professional learning experiences that inspire and sustain them as people and professionals. We will announce informational sessions soon, but you can use the Application Learning Center for help or contact Paul for more information or set up 1:1 support with your application.
Please join the fight for Inclusion Done Right by filling out this survey to inform us about how inclusion/special education is being implemented at your school. Please encourage other members to do so as well! Is your school ready to take further action for the Inclusion Done Right campaign? Please contact BTU Organizer Ilene Carver at icarver@btu.org.
Flu Shots
During the October Membership meeting, you are welcome to get a free flu shot provided by Rite-Aid Pharmacy. Read more here.
Committee on Unassigned Teachers Meeting: October 16
The Committee on Unassigned Teachers will meet from 4:30-6:00 pm at the BTU. Please RSVP with Natalia at ncuadrasaez@btu.org.
Fall Leadership Conference: October 18-20
The 2019 Fall Leadership Conference will be held at the Dedham Hilton. All BTU Building Reps and Member Leaders are encouraged to attend. Download a flyer for posting and please RSVP on our website.
BTU Blood Drive: October 23
The BTU will hold a blood drive from 1:00 to 6:00 pm. Read more here.
Latinx Educators Organizing
Do you identify as Latinx? Are you a BTU or AFT-MA member? Are you interested in organizing around issues that affect Latinx educators and the wider Latinx community? Fill out this interest survey to get involved!