The days are getting shorter, leaves are changing and despite today’s warm weather, we know the signs of a season change are here. As we all embrace fall, our union is focused on the work this next season brings. We have a busy week of advocacy and community outreach ahead of us.
The BTU is welcoming parents, students and community members to the Hall tonight, Tuesday Oct. 3rd, for our Community Contract Listening Forum. Our goal is to submit a contract proposal by January of next year. We want to come to the bargaining table with a proposal that represents the priorities of our members and school communities so we can ensure we have the tools to provide the education Boston’s children deserve. Please share this survey with your families and make sure your school’s School Site Council and School Parent Council are invited! Food, childcare and transportation are available with advanced registration.
On Wednesday, October 4, the BTU is joining its statewide partners in testifying in support of the Thrive Act from 2 to 8 p.m. This bill is one of our main legislative priorities for the year. It would end the ineffective and punitive state takeover system and remove MCAS as a graduation requirement so local communities can set their own comprehensive and reflective evaluations for students. There is also a ballot question that would end the MCAS graduation requirement — if you’re interested in collecting signatures then please complete this form.
Learn more about all of our legislative priorities in a new video featuring members of our political action team and COPE Committee.
The Boston General Election is just over a month away. Check out our Political Action page to see the full list of our endorsed candidates. City Councilors have the power to elevate issues important to our schools and stakeholders to the public, School Committee and the Mayor. When our members organize and collaborate, we have significant collective power to ensure our City is represented by candidates who understand the importance of educators’ work. Sign up to join our City Council candidate phone banks. Contact BTU Political Director Johnny McInnis to join our BTU Electoral Action Team.
We have extended the deadline for our Education Policy Program: How can we support educators of color? until October 8. The AFT/BTU Education Policy Program is a year-long fellowship program where educators engage with state and local ed policy makers, learn how to advocate for our students and our profession, conduct action research on policies affecting educators of color, and present findings and policy recommendations to policymakers and colleagues. This program is part of Power Saturdays, beginning on October 14 and meeting the first Saturday of each month thereafter. Stipend: $1500. Apply today.
Solidarity is always in season! Join us on the picket line in support of striking UAW workers in Mansfield this Thursday, as part of AFT’s National Day of Solidarity. Join us between 4-8pm in Mansfield at 550 Forbes Blvd, or any day or time this week! Please be sure to wear BTU swag. We have solidarity signs at the office, and will have them on site Thursday, too.
BTU Events and Announcements
TONIGHT: Community Contract Forum: October 3, 6:00-7:30PM
Union contract negotiations are an opportunity to improve our schools. Join us at our union hall for an important conversation on what changes we want to see in our schools. Register now!
Thrive Act Hearing at State House: October 4, 2:00-8:00PM
The Thrive Act would end MCAS as a graduation requirement and end state takeover practices, such as receivership. Join us at the state house on the afternoon/evening of October 4 for a Thrive Act hearing! Do you have a story to share about how school rankings or state takeover has harmed your school? Do you want to take action in passing the Thrive Act? Please complete this form to let us know.
NEW: Support our UAW siblings: October 7, 4:00-8:00PM
Our AFT national President Randi Weingarten has declared this Thursday a National Day of Solidarity with the United Auto Workers. The BTU will be joining UAW9a on the picket line in Mansfield at 550 Forbes Blvd. to support their fight to secure respectable wages and a fair increase in pension and healthcare benefits
Para 101: October 5 & 26
Para 101 is about building a community of paras who are knowledgeable about their rights and are aware of the support and strategies that they can use to build stronger relationships with students and teachers in the classroom. This is a two-part session. We will also be discussing our contract, and our goals for the next bargaining session. Learn more and register here!
NEW- AFT Climate and Environmental Justice Committee: October 5, 7:00PM
Join our committee for its first meeting where members will strategize on the next steps to engage national union leaders and the broader public to support our mission to promote clean energy and end fossil fuel use. Register for our first mass meeting
NEW- AFT Black Caucus, Boston Chapter: October 17, 5:00-6:30PM
The first in-person meeting of the AFT Black Caucus Boston Chapter is happening at the BTU Hall at 180 Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester.
NEW- Inclusion Done Right Community Forum: October 24
Save the Date! The BTU Inclusion Done Right Committee is hosting a Community Forum on Tuesday, October 24th at the BTU Hall from 6-8PM. Please join to learn, share and collaborate on Inclusive Education. Check out our flyer. Food will be provided. Childcare and interpretation are available with registration by October 17th.
Paraprofessional Informational Meeting & Resource Fair: October 18, 5:00-7:00PM
Come join us for important information and great resource materials from colleges, housing agencies AND MORE! You can register here.
Faculty Senate Trainings
In order to proactively solve work site problems we truly believe in strong Faculty Senates! Is your Faculty Senate collaborative and inclusive? Is your Faculty Senate a place where members feel safe to problem solve? Join us for a Faculty Senate training this year to learn more about how to run a faculty senate that truly helps move the work forward!
Para Pro Assessment Prep Class
Gain study skills, access to online resources, BPS coaches and testing experts. Individualized coaching and office hours available! Register now.
BTU Homework Helper Program
The Boston Teachers Union has co-sponsored the Homework Helper Program with the Mayor’s Office and the Boston Public Library for 19 years. We have a BTU member at each library that is open late, one or two nights a week (Copley four nights), to help any child who is need of help with their homework. See the full schedule of locations.
Lit with Lea is back for the 2023-2024 school year!
Last year our Elementary Field Rep Lea-Antoinette Serena read to over 100 classrooms and is excited to do it again! If you would like the opportunity to have your class have a reading visit from Lea please sign up!
Unafraid Educators Meetings
Unafraid Educators, BTU’s immigrants’ rights committee, is meeting the second Monday of each month from 4:30 – 6 p.m. on Zoom. Please join us!
Around 40 members of the BTU and their friends and family took a bus from the BTU office to participate in the Making Strides Walk to support research and support services for those affected by Breast Cancer. Thank to our Community Liaison Brenda Chaney for organizing this event each year!
Professional Learning & Development Updates
Each week, we have many new and exciting Professional Learning & Development opportunities to share with you.
You can find a full description of each listing on our Professional Learning & Development Updates Page.
- AFT Member Benefit Virtual Workshops
- Asynchronous Spanish for BPS Educators: Fall 2023
- ERAFANS Outdoor Teacher Retreat
- EL Education Planning Cohort for Gr 3-6 ELA & ESL Teachers
- NAEP 2024 Job Opportunity
- Mentoring For Professional Licensure
- Secondary Open Up Math Unit Virtual Previews
- Nearpod Basics – Virtual PD Sessions: Oct. 3 and 5
- Fall Telescope Learning & Leading Survey by 10/20
Our annual Back to School Party has been rescheduled to Oct. 27th, at the BTU. Register ahead of time to secure your chance to relax and meet new colleagues.
Community News & Events
Our Schools, Our Communities, Our Voices: October 7
This public event organized by BPS brings together teachers, students and families affiliated with Hub Schools to focus on introducing Equitable Literacy definitions, resources, and partners to achieve evidence-based support for these communities. The event is happening at the Bolling Building in Roxbury, pre-register to secure dinner and childcare
Hopewell Organization: RISE Program
The RISE program pairs experienced educators with children in the Massachusetts foster care system. The Educator specialist will work in person with youth from kindergarten through 3rd grade, their caregivers and school personnel to ensure that they are receiving the services they deserve and reaching their academic goals. If you are interested in this program please email Peter Newman.
Donations to Support a Member in Need
One of our members from the Blackstone Elementary community, Haven Daniels, tragically lost their home and most of their family possessions to a fire last week. The Blackstone community is asking for financial support by accepting donations through Venmo; you can send contributions to @NikkiMcMaster.
BTU in the News
Paid parental leave for Mass. teachers gains traction
BTU member Neema Avashia as well as President Tang spoke to GBH News about the powerful impact of the parental leave policy that the BTU won in our last round of contract negotiations. One of our goals this year is to continue to promote the positive impacts our union has for our members and the broader community.
Documentary explores obstacles faced by Boston Public Schools city-wide cross-country team
The BTU Health and Welfare Fund Office Manager Hatim Jean-Louis has revitalized the district-wide cross country team. As a coach and BTU member, “Coach H” has used our hall as a basecamp for team practices as they continue to defy expectations. A documentary “The Strength is in the Pack” premiered at Boston Latin Academy last week.