UPDATED- BTU Election Reminders
Validation of candidates in the upcoming BTU election has been completed. Based on the number of candidates no primary is needed for this election. Thanks to all who chose to participate in this process and congratulations to all candidates. You can see the list of validated candidates here. You can find the full update on the election process here.
NEW- Seeking Applicants for BTU Collective Bargaining Committee
The BTU is opening up applications to join the Collective Bargaining Committee (CBC). The CBC is meeting weekly on Thursdays for the next 2 months as we create a new initial bargaining package based on data from the BTU survey, listening tours, and community forums. The group well then meet as needed. In particular, we are seeking counselors/social workers/school psychologists, paraprofessionals, ABA and substitute teachers and those who work in programs as opposed to school based staff. If you are interested, please send a paragraph of interest to Matt Bouvier by Monday, April 12 at 5 p.m.
Connect & Share Math Spotlight: April 7, 4:30-6:00PM
Join us for panel discussions on how to bring joy and deep understanding to hybrid math instruction in the hybrid learning classroom. Hear from your colleagues about what’s working in their own classrooms and schools. Connect with peers from across BPS, get new ideas, and earn PD hours as well.
Virtual Artifact Lounge: April 8 & 12, 4:30-6:30PM
The Educator Supports Program Consulting Teachers are hosting a Virtual Artifact Lounge. Put your best foot forward with powerful artifacts for your formative and summative evaluations! Drop by to receive support in choosing artifacts that showcase your work and in writing powerful rationales. Please fill out this form to choose your preferred session and you will be sent a Zoom link.
Annual Paraprofessional Conference: April 10, 9:00AM-12:30PM
This year’s VIRTUAL conference will include a plenary emphasizing the important role you play in both your union and community, as well as a series of workshops to support both you and your students during the COVID pandemic. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity for professional development and to build connections with other fellow paraprofessionals throughout the Commonwealth. Click here to register.
NEW- Family and Community Forum: April 12, 7:00-8:30PM
We want to welcome parents, families, students and community partners into the BTU negotiation process. Our master contract expires on August 31 of this year and we are getting ourselves ready to fight for a stronger agreement. We want EVERYONE to share with us what issues and solutions are important to you within their schools and communities. Register for this forum for BPS parents and families!
NEW- Unafraid Educators Chapter Meeting: April 12, 4:30-6:00PM
The Unafraid Educators will be holding their April Unafraid Chapter Meeting on Monday, April 12, 4:30-6:00. Please join at this Zoom meeting link. They will be planning for the Immigrant Pride Week of Action that is set for May 3-7 and running another round of the Relief Fund for BPS Students and Families. Any questions, please contact the team!
NEW- Job Share Info Session: April 13, 4:30-5:30PM
Want to work half time for half pay & full health benefits? Come ask questions & network with like-minded colleagues. Open to teacher-bargaining unit members and paras. Session co-facilitated by BTU & BPS OHC. Please RSVP to Caren Carew for Zoom link.
NEW- BPS Office of English Learners Community Dialogue: April 13, 4:30-6:00PM
The BPS Office of English Learners has launched a series of community dialogues as we work to reimagine multilingual learning for bilingual students in BPS. We invite BTU members to join us to learn about the vision and give your input. Read our charter for this work. Join us in this conversation on Zoom Link here. If you are not able to attend a meeting, please use this survey to give us your input on what kind of changes you would like to see.
AFT Town Hall on Climate Justice: April 13, 6:30PM
You’re invited to join a AFT members, climate activists, our union sisters and brothers, and elected officials from across the country to discuss what all of us can do to win bold investments that transform our schools and workplaces, expand pathways to high quality green union jobs and save our planet. AFT hopes to announce some exciting speakers for this event soon. Please share widely! RSVP here.
Paraprofessional Virtual Break Room: April 13, 5:30-6:30PM
Join your colleagues in a Virtual Break Room, SPRING EDITION! Come in to say hello and play a game with your fellow Paras…and feel free to bring your own games as well! Just remember: no work/union talk allowed. Click HERE to register.
NEW- Para Retirement Seminar: May 3, 4:30-6:00PM
Register in advance here.
NEW- Ethnic Studies Week of Action: May 24 – 28
Interested in getting involved in the movement for Ethnic Studies in Boston? The BTU Ethnic Studies Now committee is organizing a Week of Action. Save the date and complete this short interest form to join in at any level!
Paid Opportunity: Academic Mentoring and Tutoring
The Division of Academics and the Division of Equity, Strategy & Opportunity Gaps, as part of its MBK-Transformative Mentoring initiative, invite BPS staff to apply to become an Academic Mentor/Tutor. Please see the application for more details. Contact Bethany Allen for more information.
Equitable Foundational Literacy Course
The BPS Early Childhood Department is creating a course in equitable foundational literacy practices to hep educators understand: What are equitable and culturally sustaining ways to teach young children how to read? What is the role of phonics instruction in equitable early literacy? The course will be offered in late spring. We would love to hear from you as we begin to plan for it! Please complete this survey so we can design this course with your input.
Caregiver-Educator Support Group
We started as a caregiver-educator support group, but we’ve noticed as the year has progressed that we are all in need of a little extra support, self-care or reflection time. We’d like to invite you to spend an hour, every other week, starting at the end of March with us processing the stressors of our jobs this year! Please fill out this 1-minute surveyto indicate what day and what time would work best for you!
Seeking New Member of the Educator Supports Program (ESP) Panel
There is an opening for a new BTU appointee on the ESP Panel, which governs the Educator Supports Program (Formerly PAR and Peer Assistance). For more information about this paid opportunity which entails significant additional work, please see the ESP Website. For questions about the role or to apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to Erik Berg.
Open Enrollment for Para Sick Bank: April 1 – April 30
BPS has worked with City Hall and will be holding an open enrollment for the Paraprofessional Sick Bank. The open enrollment period will start on 4/1/21 and conclude on 4/30/21. On 4/1/21, we will send an email to all eligible employees letting them know they may donate a day to enroll into the bank. To make your donation: Navigate to ess.boston.gov > select the “BPS Sick Bank Donation” tile > read and acknowledge the terms and conditions > click submit. Submission of a donation to the Sick Bank program does not guarantee enrollment. You will be sent a confirmation notice when you have been accepted into the program. The sick leave donation program is not mandatory and this donation cannot be rescinded. If you have any questions, please complete this inquiry form.
Seeking Support from Personnel Subcommittees and Hiring Committees
We are seeking the support of members who serve on school based personnel subcommittees and other hiring committees to ensure that experienced Boston Public Schools educators, our fellow BTU members, are considered for all open positions in your school. Please read this letter for more information.
2021 Scholarship Information: Due April 23
The BTU Dependent Scholarships and the RTC Scholarships are now open for applications! See our scholarship page for more information on how to apply. Both are due by April 23.
Tech Goes Home Distance Learning: May 5 – 20
TGH Distance Learning Program is a FREE program that delivers 18 hours of instruction focused on fundamental digital skills. Beginner and intermediate courses are open to adults and seniors. Register here for beginners and here for intermediate!
NEW- Honoring Recent BPS Doctorates
The Boston School Committee wants to honor BPS employees who earned a doctorate in 2020 and 2021. Please complete this brief Google form by May 7. Verified employees will be honored at an upcoming School Committee meeting. Please reach out to Elizabeth Sullivan with any questions.
Option D Beneficiary Selection Form
The Option D Beneficiary Selection Form allows members to select a beneficiary if they pass away before they are able to retire. It is null and void upon retirement. If members do not fill out this form, their retirement will disappear and no one will receive it.
Student Support/Success Teams (SSTs) Survey
The Division of Accountability is looking for input from teachers about their perceptions of Student Support/Success Teams (SSTs). We hope to learn more about practices that are happening throughout BPS in order to provide support/resources consistently across the District. If you have any questions, please reach out to Geoff Rose, Division of Accountability. The survey will take about five minutes to complete and can be found here.
TalentEd Postings for the Summer
Please see a list of links for job postings in OEL Programming and Programming for Students with ESY in IEP.