As Black History Month continues and the Black Lives Matter at Schools Actions take place this week, please be sure to check out all of our resources at btu.org/blackhistory.

In support of our public schools, next week we will be participating in the #WeLoveOurSchools week of action, organized by the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance. There are many ways to participate via the BTU:

  • Attend the BPS School Committee Budget Hearings to show our support for state and federal funding of our schools. There will be one tomorrow, February 7 (the one year anniversary of the DeVos confirmation) at the Bolling Building, and there will be a second on February 13 at East Boston High School, both at 6 PM.
  • Fill out a BTU Valentine for the Boston’s School Committee about your hopes for BPS schools and why you love them! Cards will be available at the BTU, at the February 7 meeting, and at the Winter Conference on February 10. They’ll be delivered to the School Committee on February 13.
  • Attend the BTU Winter Conference this Saturday! It’s not too late to register! The keynote speaker is Jack Schneider, author of Beyond Test Scores: A Better Way to Measure School Quality.
  • Wear Red for Public Ed on Valentine’s Day! We will be taking a group picture at our membership meeting that day. Don’t forget we *do* have childcare at our membership meetings beginning at 4:30 PM. Sign up here.

Upcoming BTU Organizing Events

NEW — BPS Budget Hearings: February 7 & February 13
Interested in budget advocacy? Join BEJA and BTU members to advocate for schools we deserve and support the #WeLoveOurSchools campaign at the next budget hearings on February 7 at the Bolling Building) and February 13 at East Boston High, both at 6 PM. To learn more about how to get involved, email Jonathan Rodrigues at jrodrigues@btu.org.

Teachers in SPC Roles: Thursday, February 8
The next meeting of the Committee on Teachers in SPC roles (unassigned teachers) will take place on February 8 from 4:30-6 PM at the BTU.

Last Chance to Pre-Register: 2018 BTU Winter Conference: Saturday, February 10
Please plan to join us from 9 AM to 3 PM at the BTU on Saturday, February 10! Our theme: “Leading the Movement with Equity and BTU POWER.” Read more, register, and download the flyer!

NEW — Haitian Educators Meeting: Monday, February 12
Please join us at the BTU from 4:30-6:30 PM.

NEW — Restorative Practices, Values and Action Circle PD: Tuesday, February 13
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 at the McCormack. This circle will support our work by helping students understand how we express values and how those values are expressed in our behavior so that we can create intentionally safe classrooms. If you did not register on MyLearningPlan and would like to attend, please email to RSVP with Farah Assiraj at fassiraj@btu.org.

NEW — Puerto Rican Educators Meeting: Friday, March 2
Please join Puerto Rican educators from 4-6 PM at the BTU to discuss ideas for supporting incoming families and students as well as other organizing efforts. To RSVP, email Farah Assiraj at fassiraj@btu.org.

Community Events of Interest

NEW — Intent vs. Impact: School Discipline Dinner Dialogue
Please join us on Thursday, February 15 from 6-8 PM at the Bolling Building at 2300 Washington Street in Roxbury. We invite parents, youth, educators and thought-leaders from across sectors to explore what school discipline looks like when done right and what to do when it’s not. The dialogue panel features the collective wisdom of parents, BTU educators, and experts who will explore solutions that are student-centered, community-driven and culturally conducive to today’s generation of learners. Read more and register.

NEW — Facing the Flint Crisis: Discussion and Documentary Screening
Please join Nayyirah Shariff and Gina Luster of Flint Rising TOMORROW, Wednesday, February 7 from 7:30-9 PM at First Church, 6 Eliot Street in Jamaica Plain. Read more and register.