Our next membership meeting is next Wednesday, October 13 at 4:30 p.m. It will be virtual on Zoom. As always, registration in advance is needed to verify BTU membership and to receive the link.
Quick reminders for registering:
- Please remember that you must register at least one hour in advance, or you will not receive a link.
- Each link is unique and cannot be shared.
- Links are sent after your registration and membership status are verified – please do not register multiple times if you do not immediately receive a link.
- Remember to include your exact BPS ID# in order to expedite approvals. If you are retired or don’t have an ID# for another reason, please enter “000000″.
- Please make sure that you have updated your Zoom account with the latest update before the meeting in order to avoid complications with your link.
Exciting news: After years of advocacy led by the BTU, the YMCA and community partners jointly working with BPS since 2013, the Boston Community Hub Schools (BCHS) initiative is now hiring 14 new Hub School Coordinators! It is a school-based position responsible for working closely with the school administrative teams to strategically organize the assets and resources of the school community and its many stakeholders (students, families, school leadership, teachers, staff and partners) in service of students’ individual and collective academic success and wellbeing to provide comprehensive wrap-around supports. You can access the application HERE.
We are pleased to let you know that there has been significant movement on the Retirement+/TARP bill. The bill, entitled House Bill 4111, would authorize the Boston Retirement System to establish an alternative superannuation retirement benefit program for certain educators and nurses. See here for more information and how to contact your representatives and encourage them to sign onto this incredibly important legislation! Check out all of our Political Action Updates here.
We also are in close communication with the district about addressing the challenges and issues regarding pool testing, contact tracing and notifications.
We are setting up a meeting with the district and school nurses and have also created a Google Form for Reps to identify where the pool testing – organized by DESE – has fallen short for students and/or staff. We continue to tackle the issues school by school.We’re excited to host another vaccine clinic at the BTU! Come to the union hall to get initial first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine, as well as the third booster shot if you’re eligible, on October 14, 15 & 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clinics are open to all, including retirees and community members.
We’re thrilled to announce that Winship Elementary School in Brighton was recognized as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. Congratulations to the educators, staff and students at Winship!
Reminder: some members have informed us that they are being directed to complete a mandatory two-hour training in de-escalation on their own time. While BPS may be required to provide this training to all educators, administrators should provide members with contractual time to complete the training. If you are being directed to complete this on your own time, please contact your field rep.
If you missed the Book Fair last week, there are still lots of middle and high school books at the BTU! You can come anytime Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. to pick up.
Finally, please remember to check your pay stub to ensure that you are being paid correctly.