TODAY- Haitian Educators Committee Meeting: October 20, 5:00PM
Join us for the next meeting of the Haitian Educators Committee tonight! Please email Bianca Pierre to receive a Zoom link for the meeting. If you need assistance communicating with Haitian Creole speaking families, the Haitian Educators Committee is ready and able to provide support. Please contact Bianca Pierre or Josette Teneus for assistance.
RESCHEDULED- October Family Engagement Gathering: October 28, 4:30PM
Join us for a virtual conversation about effective strategies for building relationships with families during these unprecedented times. Please register here and we will send you a Zoom link and an agenda. For questions, please contact Chantei Alves or Katie Mallon. (This gathering was originally scheduled for this week but postponed due to the Week of Action.)
Voice Disorders and Educators: October 29, 5:00PM
A healthy voice is essential for teachers to perform their daily occupational duties. This
presentation for BTU members by Voice Experts from Mass Eye and Ear aims to provide information to educational professionals on their vocal health in the classroom and in a remote world – with emphasis on education, and strategies for prevention, and management. The workshops will be held at 5 p.m. on either 10/19 or 10/29. Register here.
Virtual Teacher-Powered Schools National Conference: Through October 29
Join us for the Virtual Teacher-Powered Schools National Conference! Our 2020 theme is Rethinking Power in Education. Explore how teachers in vastly different schools across the country are using shared leadership and collaborative decision making to design and run student-centered schools. Individual registration is $50, and teams receive discounted rates. Learn more and register here.
Family Engagement Taskforce: October 21, 5:30PM
Join us for a virtual conversation about effective strategies for building relationships with families during these unprecedented times. Please register here and we will send you a Zoom link and an agenda. For questions, please contact Chantei Alves or Katie Mallon.
AFT Retiree Legacy Project: October 23, 2:00PM
Through the AFT Retiree Legacy Project, we hope to encourage our retirees to share their truths, heal and grow together as union members and activists, because activists never retire and it is never too late to be an activist or an ally! Please join the AFT Retiree Legacy Project for a panel discussion on the dangers of voter suppression, past, present and future. Please register here and find more information about the AFT Retirees and the AFT Legacy Project.
NEW- Enrollment for Flexible Spending Plans
Enrollment for Flexible Spending Plans for 2021 is now open. Be sure to sign up by November 23. Even if you have been enrolled in the past, everyone needs to re-enroll each year. As a result of the new PEC agreement, administrative fees will now be covered by the City – a savings of $48 per year! You can find the list of healthcare FSA eligible expenses here, as well as a $5 off coupon here.
Virtual Fall Conference: October 24, 9:30AM-3:30PM
Join us for “Now More Than Ever”, a virtual conference for building reps & members. Workshops on racial justice, health and safety at our school sites, Contract Action Teams, and more. Register here!
Mentoring for Professional Licensure (MPL): October 20, 4:30-6:30PM
To be eligible for a professional teaching license, the Massachusetts Department of Education requires an additional 50 hours of mentoring beyond the first-year induction program. In this course, you will receive that required mentoring from BPS New Teacher Developers as you reflect on and grow your teaching practice. Register for one of the three posted sections (Grades K0-3, Grades 4-8, or Grades 9-12). Contact Ailis Kiernanif you need further assistance.
RESCHEDULED- Paraprofessional Informational Meeting: November 24, 4:30PM
Due to the upcoming action on October 21 and other previously scheduled events, the Virtual Paraprofessional Conference has been rescheduled to Tuesday, November 24. There is no need to re-register if you have done so already. If you have not registered, please do so here.
NEW- Para PD Opportunities: Thursday, October 29, 4:00-5:30PM
The Boston Public Schools Early Childhood Department invites K0-K2 Paras to join us for a Professional Development Opportunity in 2 sessions: Early Childhood Best Practices: Guidance for Paraprofessionals and Remote Learning Guidance for Paraprofessionals in Early Childhood Settings (live via Zoom).
NEW- Telescope Network Fall 2020 Survey
What do you need this year? The Telescope Network wants to help. Please fill out our Fall 2020 survey to help us better understand your learning needs. We will raffle off a dozen $25 Amazon gift cards for educators who complete our survey – and it helps us plan for future PD. Survey open to ALL BPS educators (teachers, paras, admin, other school-based roles, and district-level roles as well). More at the Telescope website!
Connect & Share with Your Same-Role Colleagues
Would you be interested in a virtual professional learning community? It’s a chance to connect with same-role colleagues from across the district and a space to share resources and dilemmas. You can participate when and how you want to. Right now, we’re starting up a PLC for World Language 9-12 teachers and for 7th grade math teachers, and we’re hoping to start other groups as well. If you’re interested in joining or leading a virtual PLC, please come to an info session on Thursday 10/15 (4-5 p.m.) or Thursday 10/22 (4-5 p.m. or 7-8 p.m.). More info at bostonpublicschools.org/telescope.
Telescope Trivia Fall 2020
We’re back this fall for our popular team trivia league. Last spring, we had more than 190 players join us for a fun-filled hour of trivia. These sessions will take place on Tuesday nights at 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. Join on your own, bring a team of colleagues, or bring your family/friends. It’s a chance to connect across BPS and have some fun. Register here!
Virtual Homework Helpers
Homework Helpers will be available for K-8 students Mondays through Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m. Students can visit the webpage during these time frames and help will be waiting. Please make sure to circulate this information to your students. The Boston Public Library is also offering a similar program.