Parent Support Group
Parenting while teaching is harder than ever. With the support of a grant from the AFT Innovation Fund, we are ready to restart our parent support group. Sign up to receive the Zoom link. See the flyer for dates and times.

Important Upcoming School Site Council Training
The School Site Council plays a critical role in hiring of staff, reviews and advises on the budget, and can waive the provision of the collective bargaining agreement or any School Committee rule regulation. To register, please contact Caren Carew or Cyntoria Grant.

Unions in the Fight for Safe Schools: December 3, 6:00-7:30PM
Join us for a discussion with educators on the frontlines of the struggle for safe schools. Register for the Zoom link here.

Computer Science Education Week: December 7 – 13
Celebrate Computer Science Education Week with BPSTech! Check our website for updates & opportunities for teachers and students, including #BPSCoders Student Contests open to all BPS students and asynchronous activities to try out during CS Ed Week.

UPCOMING DEADLINE- Fall/Winter Pathway Programs
The upcoming Pathway Programs offer professional development and licensure preparation in three areas – English as a Second Language, Severe Disabilities, and Moderate Disabilities. The programs should be of particular interest to teachers with emergency licenses or waivers in these areas, as well current and prospective inclusion and ESL teachers, as well as grade and content teachers in SEI program schools. The deadline for submission of applications is Monday, December 14. Click here for program information and application. For questions, please email pathwayprograms@bostonpublicschools.org.

BTU Listening Tour for Upcoming Master Contract Negotiations

Over the next few months, the BTU will be engaging in listening tours with members with the goal of visioning for the upcoming negotiations because our contract expires in August, 2021. Please fill out this form if you and the members of your school would like to schedule a listening tour session. We will follow up with you with available dates and times.   

BTU & BPS Paraprofessionals PD 
There are several upcoming webinars over the next three weeks just for paraprofessionals. These webinars are open to all paras and begin this week. We will be issuing PDPs. There are two options: asynchronous (watch on your own time) and live webinars. You must register to attend each live webinar. Go to our Paraprofessionals PD Playlist to register for a live webinar or watch asynchronous webinars.

Unafraid Educators’ Relief Fund
The Unafraid Educators’ Relief Fund for Boston Students & Families is raising money to support families in the Boston Public Schools during the COVID-19 crisis. The Unafraid Educators Committee is partnering with Boston Educator’s Justice Alliance (BEJA) to establish a Relief Fund for Boston Students & Families. Please donate and share with your networks.

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. 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.