Dear BTU Family,
We hope everyone managed okay today and got the support they needed on the last full day of school for several weeks despite much confusion. We know there are many questions still and we are working our hardest to get them answered. Thank you for your patience during these unprecedented times.
Tomorrow morning will resume our regularly scheduled bulletins, but here are quick updates and reminders for today:
- All Boston Public Schools are slated to be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17. There are no expectations for school-based staff to do any remote work. Take a deep breath.
- Despite Channel 5’s erroneous announcement, BTU members who work in schools are expected to stay home Wednesday through Friday of this week. We thank Mayor Walsh and Supt. Cassellius for their responsiveness and leadership.
- We are aware that current expectations for remote learning have been inequitable and inconsistent across the district with some schools requiring daily graded assignments and others leaving things more flexible. We have been advocating that principals give everyone a few days this week without rigid expectations to re-coup and re-group as we work on common expectations for remote learning, and engage educators in creating guidelines that make sense. We are focused on equity and access across schools, grade levels and student profiles, and requirements that recognize the unique circumstances that educators face including the need to care for children and parents.
- BPS schools are expected to remain closed through April 27, 2020, unless the situation improves dramatically and it is safe to re-open schools earlier.
- Educators will be called in for five days before school reopens to help prepare for the transition back before students return. We are still working on compensation for per-diem subs, but all others will be receiving regular compensation during this time.
- Food distribution sites will be open to all Boston students throughout this closure. District created work packets will be available there for families to pick up as well.
- The City is working to get laptops and internet access to all families in need.
- Check out a helpful article about COVID-19, social distancing, and precautions to take from one of our school nurses, Susan Arase.
The BTU office will be closed on Tuesday, March 17. Starting on Wednesday, March 18, BTU staff will be working remotely and the office will be closed. We will re-evaluate our closing regularly as things develop. All BTU officers and staff are available via phone and email for individual questions. You can find our contact information here.
BTU meetings of 10 people or more will be canceled. Smaller meetings may occur virtually or in some cases, in person. These decisions will be made on a case by case basis.
The Eye Care Center will be closed starting Tuesday, March 17 until at least the end of March. All appointments will be canceled and individuals will be notified. They will reschedule the appointment as soon as possible. The Eye Care Center’s number is 617-288-5540.
The Health and Welfare Office will be closed on Tuesday, March 17 and closed to walk-ins March 18-20. Further information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Health and Welfare’s number is 617 288-0500.
At this point, Tremont Credit Union will be open but that may change so check before you visit.
Please continue to submit non-urgent and general questions here.
And don’t forget to sign up for the BTU Volunteer Corps, 600+ strong and growing.
Thank you all for your thoughtful questions, statements of support and generosity towards each other, our students and families during this difficult and unprecedented time.
As the AFT says: “We Care, We Fight, We Show Up, and We Vote.” (More on that last topic soon…We haven’t forgotten it’s an election year still!)
But right now, we are focused on demonstrating care.
Be well and be safe!
Jessica Tang