Use the QR Code above to register to attend a Bargaining Session and stay informed about contract negotiations!

Good morning,

We hope you were able to rest, recharge and spend some quality time with loved ones over the February break. We have a busy week ahead, and are counting on our collective action to ensure the launch of our contract campaign harnesses and elevates the momentum we’ve built during the months of hard work it took to reach this point. At our last membership meeting, our initial contract proposals package was unanimously approved, and we hope to see many of you at our first bargaining session Thursday!

But first, if you haven’t already heard, we are exhilarated to announce that the BTU family is expanding. The educators and staff at the Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester have decided to form a union and organize with the BTU! More than 80 percent of the roughly 150 staff members signed cards and delivered a petition to NHCS leaders on Valentine’s Day. We were proud to welcome them with open arms and to celebrate their bravery and commitment to their school community and students later that day at our membership meeting.

This week provides a perfect opportunity to show how our growing solidarity among our members, community partners and BPS families can be a powerful tool for change. We are scheduled to begin negotiations with the district at 4:00 p.m. We encourage our partners to arrive at the BTU Hall by 3:00 p.m. to gather together to take part in some pre-negotiation activities.

If we turn out in numbers and present a unified front in support of these priorities, it will exhibit a serious commitment to our goals of securing: High-Quality Programs and Facilities, Inclusion Done Right, Student Well-Being, Fair and Equitable Pay and more. All in-service BTU members are encouraged to register and attend one of these sessions. During these sessions, you will observe negotiations, take notes and receive key insight into the process that could be used for future organizing opportunities.

We want to thank all of our members for their collaboration in compiling this contract proposal. It has taken months of outreach, revisions and self-reflection. We have emerged stronger as a union because of it.

The Inclusion Done Right Committee IPT Forum was held on Feb. 15 where participants were able to share their experiences and discuss follow-up actions to help improve the process and outcomes going forward. Two of these actions included sharing your story at the School Committee and elevating concerns to be considered for appeal to the Inclusion Working Group. If you are interested in learning more, you can attend an office hour session today, February 27, between 3:30 and 5:00 pm, March 4 from 2:30-4:30, or March 7 from 2:30-4:40pm. Please use this link to sign up.

We’d also like to make you aware that DESE has released an updated memo pertaining to educators who currently have emergency licenses. This change is one we have been advocating for, particularly because it disproportionately impacts our educators of color. If you currently have an emergency license or were issued one before December 13, 2021, then you can apply to have an extension to obtain full certification. If the extension is approved, you will have until the end of June, 2025 to receive full certification. We encourage everyone who falls under this category to be proactive about pursuing full certification.

Lastly, please see these resources regarding the current excess period. The FAQ linked above will soon be permanently available on our website. We know that anxiety around job security is particularly high as we all prepare for personnel changes affected by inclusion implementation and the end of ESSER funding. If you have any further questions, please contact our office or your building rep.

 

Educators from the Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester attended our monthly membership meeting on February 14 to celebrate their decision to organize with the BTU!!

BTU Events and Announcements

Commit to Joining our Contract Campaign Launch on Feb 29!

Fill out the form to commit to join our contract campaign launch on Thursday, February 29! For schools that get out early you can join us at 3pm for our press conference. Others can join at 4pm or later to show strength in numbers at our first negotiating session with BPS. Any in-service BTU member is welcome to join negotiating sessions as a Silent Rep!

BEJA event What is the Impact of MCAS Testing: Feb 29th, 6:30-8pm

As MCAS season approaches, it’s time for the BPS community to come together and dive deep into the implications of these assessments. Join us for a critical conversation about the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and its impact on our students, schools, and the broader education landscape. Make sure to register ahead of time.

Inclusion Done Right Committee: Anti-Ableist Teaching and Disability Justice lecture: March 4th 

The BTU Inclusion Done Right Committee invites you to an interactive presentation with Lydia X. Z. Brown (they/them/theirs). Lydia is a writer, public speaker, educator, and community organizer. This professional learning session counts towards the required hours focused on inclusive education for BTU educators. Registration is on Vector or at bit.ly/BTUkeynote.

 

Mass. Ed Justice Alliance— Education Budget Update; March 5th, 6-7:30pm 

Education justice advocates, organizers, caregivers, students, educators, and community members are invited to join for a K-12 education budget update and conversation. MassBudget will share about the State budget, and MEJA and our partners will facilitate smaller breakout discussions connecting the State budget to key local budgets. Please join the discussion and together push for equitable funding for our public schools! Register here!

Retirement Planning Seminar: March 6

There will be a Retirement Planning seminar at the BTU Hall with guests from the Social Security Administration and City Of Boston Health Insurance attending. It is never too early to start planning for retirement. Find more details in this registration form.

Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets March 14th

We have limited amount of Celtics Tickets for March 14th balcony 310. Seats are $135.00 each. We are taking reservation and payment, tickets are on a first come first serve basis. The tickets will not be distributed until February 14th and must be paid in full in order to secure your seats.

Dropkick Murphy’s Union Night: March 15

The Dropkick Murphy’s are playing a concert at the MGM Music Hall honoring local workers’ unions. The BTU has purchased a limited amount of tickets and are selling them first come, first serve at $70 dollars a piece. The tickets come with a T-shirt and access to a VIP event before the show starts. We are accepting checks, cash or paypal payments. You can contact Michelle Frank for more details.

Technology Series for Paraprofessionals/ Libraries / Library Paras and Substitutes: March 18th 5-7pm

With this increase of technology use, educators must have a basic understanding of BPS technology systems to be effective in the classroom and in schools with our students. This tech training session aims to familiarize beginners with the fundamentals of basic navigation and the Google Workspace, and for those with more experience, a higher level look at these systems. Beginner and advanced sessions are from 5-7 PM on March 18th at the BTU. Sign up here

Para Led Professional Development: Register by March 20

Professional Development is so important in helping us grow and work more effectively with our students. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity and sign up for one of the four part PD series being offered by your fellow para unit members. It is a great way to learn and collaborate. Please use the link on flyer to register for one of series.

Get to Know Your Contract: Master Contract Deep Dives. Thursday, March 21, 4:30-6:00pm on Zoom (new date!)

Join us for the final session of our winter workshop series! “Get to Know Your Contract: Master Contract Deep Dives” will cover important things to know to implement and enforce the latest BTU/BPS contract items. Sign up to receive the zoom link: bit.ly/BTUwws24

NEW-Paraprofessional/PSRP Regional Conference and Social: Register by March 27

The BTU and AFT-MA is hosting a two-day paraprofessional regional conference on April 5th and 6th. Join us for dinner, musical bingo and karaoke on Friday, April 5th from 5:30pm-8:30pm at the Para Social. On Saturday, April 6th from 8:30am to 3:00pm, join us at the Annual Para Conference. Sessions will be around Knowing Your Rights & Enforcing Your Rights, PSRP Bill Of Rights, Tai Chi and more. You can register here.

BTU Dependent Scholarship: April 19

Every year the BTU awards roughly 16 scholarships in the amount of $2,000 to high school seniors who are dependents of BTU members. See the application and additional information.

 

Read a brief summary of our contract priorities in the flyer above and use the QR code to register to attend this week’s and future bargaining sessions!

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
• Degree Completion
• Transformative Leaders of Massachusetts Fellowship Opportunity
• BU Consortium- Grants Program Launch Event: Feb. 28, 4:30-6:00pm
• Elementary ESL Planning Cohort: Begins Feb 29, 12-3 PM
• Equitable Biliteracy in SLIFE Learning Site 3.5.24
• Connect & Share: Stations and Studios in the Early Childhood Classrooms, March 6, 5:30-7:00 on Zoom
• UMass Boston’s Instructional Technology Licensure Virtual Open House April 22, 4:30 p.m.
• Wellness While You Work Series: Next Session on March 6th, 4 – 5pm

 

Community News & Events

Climate Change in the City: Place-based Science in Boston Harbor

Join the Stone Living Lab and National Parks of Boston each summer for our Stone Living Lab Summer Teacher Institute! This free, five-day course brings Boston area teachers together to explore Boston Harbor through the lens of climate change, place-based learning, and participatory science. Apply by March 10!

NEW-New Teacher Retreat, March 16, 9-12:30 PM at the Bolling Building

Boston Public Schools is hosting a retreat to “rediscover and restore what motivated you to become an educator, and leave renewed and committed to teaching! This is going to be a great event for New Teachers to network, to listen to veterans, pick up new strategies and EXPERIENCE JOY.” Register here.

FREE Summer Middle School Science Program, July1-August 2

The Arnold Arboretum runs a free, science and nature based summer program intended for current 6th and 7th graders from BPS, called Arboretum Young Scientists. We are actively recruiting students who are interested in furthering their learning and growth in science and love being in nature for our 5 week program, July 1 through August 2. The application form can also be found on the AYS (Arboretum) webpage, and it is in both English and Spanish.

 

BTU in the News

The educators at the Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester have chosen to organize with the BTU to secure a fair contract that serves their students and school community. You can read coverage in the Boston Globe and the Dorchester Reporter.