Good morning,
Ramadan Mubarak to all of our members who observe this holy month. We hope all who participate will have the opportunity to gather with their family and community for a month of purposeful fasting and peaceful worship.
We’d also like to wish everyone a happy belated International Women’s Day. We’re excited to announce that the BTU Women’s Rights Committee will resume hosting their Glass Ceilings Awards this year on Saturday March 23. Please be sure to register in advance! Learn more about the event and our honorees from the flyer listed below.
Our monthly membership meeting is TOMORROW March 13 at the BTU Hall from 4:30 to 6:30. We’ll be sharing important updates on the two bargaining sessions we’ve had with Boston Public Schools and will be sharing resources on how members can inform their colleagues and recruit other members to attend a session. You can register for childcare for the meeting and check out the agenda beforehand. If you haven’t read it yet, you can see our full contract proposals package, which is available to download.
We encourage everyone to register to attend at least one of these bargaining sessions. You can find summaries of each session at https://btu.org/bargaining. We plan to address proposals that affect the wages and working conditions of COSEs, school counselors, and ABAs at our next bargaining session at the BTU Hall on March 14th. You can help inform your colleagues and raise public awareness of our negotiating efforts by sharing these summaries on social media when they are released the day after each session.
On Monday March 18, the BTU is hosting a panel discussion with AFT National President Randi Weingarten and two representatives, Sally Abed and Alon-Lee Green, from the organization Standing Together. Standing Together is a grassroots group of progressive Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel that advocates for peace, equity, and climate and social justice.
Sally Abed and Alon-Lee Green of Standing Together will join BTU members Hani Murad and Paul Tritter. Murad is a Palestinian-American school psychologist who spent 20 years working in Gaza. Tritter is the Director of Professional Learning for the Boston Teachers Union. President Weingarten will moderate the discussion.
The event is for BTU and AFT members. Registration is required and there are more details on this flyer. The panel discussion follows AFT’s decision to pass a resolution “Calling for a Bilateral Cease-Fire in Gaza and Promoting a Two-State Solution and an End to the Weaponization of Hate.” The BTU also signed a separate resolution “The US Labor Movement Calls for Ceasefire in Israel and Palestine” with dozens of other unions from across the country in November.
We are committed to supporting all BTU members who hope to engage in constructive dialogue and learning regarding this traumatic situation. Our BTU Ethnic Studies Committee has held multiple discussions on the topic and you can see details about their latest event in the BTU Events and Announcements section below. Some of our BTU members are also interested in potentially establishing a Jewish Affinity Group to create a space to build community and share their experiences since the attack on Israel on October 7th. If you are interested, please fill out this form.
Our Inclusion Done Right Committee is working to recruit parents, educators, students and community members to testify at the School Committee meeting on March 20th to discuss the impact of the district’s Inclusive Education rollout. Testimony will occur between 5 and 6p.m. virtually. You can sign up to receive support from the BTU team to work on writing testimony.
We’re excited to announce that we will be hosting our annual Family2Family conference on March 30th at Fenway High School. This is a conference for parents/caregivers, students and educators to learn from each other, support family engagement and advocacy, and strengthen family and educator collaboration. A registration form and further details is available at https://btu.org/family2family/
We are so proud of BTU members Priscilla Valentine and Benadette Manning who attended last week’s State of the Union as honored guests of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren, respectively. Both members were selected after they had burdensome student loans forgiven through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which the Biden Administration has amended to expand eligibility for tens of thousands of public employees.
Finally, the BTU Political team is launching the BTU Electoral Action Team. Some actions the committee members will take may include holding signs at stand outs, door knocking, participating in phone banking for a BTU endorsed candidate, calling or writing to local lawmakers to ask for their support in getting bills passed, and Getting Out the Vote! Please let us know if you’re interested.
We’re excited to see you all for our membership meeting TOMORROW at the BTU Hall!
The BTU Negotiating Team introduced proposals seeking better working conditions for ABA’s school counselors and COSEs at last week’s bargaining session. The next bargaining session is scheduled for the BTU Hall from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday March 14th.
BTU Events and Announcements
Join the BTU Electoral Action Team
Help make a difference and strengthen democracy with the Boston Teachers Union. The BTU is looking for members to get involved with our BEAT(BTU Electoral Action Team) to organize and take action in the upcoming elections. WE NEED YOU! Sign up here using this form!
Haitian Educators Committee (HEC) Meeting: Tuesday, March 19th, 5:00-6:30PM
Join us on zoom to discuss issues and concerns in our community. We will also plan for our next in person meeting. Please contact Bianca Pierre for the zoom link.
Black and Palestinian Solidarity Teach-In: March 16th, 4-7pm BTU Hall
Join the BTU Ethnic Studies Now Committee as we dive into the rich history of Black Palestinian Identity as well as the history and solidarity between the fight for the liberation of Black People and Palestinians alike! We strongly urge you to invite your students to this event! Please register at bit.ly/BTUESNRSVP
Technology Series for Paraprofessionals/Libraries/Library Paras and Substitutes: Date changed to March 21st
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 begin from 5-7 PM on March 21st at the BTU. Sign up here
Panel Discussion on Conflict in Gaza with Standing Together: March 18
AFT National President Randi Weingarten will moderate a discussion featuring two representatives from the organization Standing Together. Standing Together is a grassroots group of progressive Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel that advocates for peace, equality and social justice. The event is open to AFT and BTU members. Registration is required.
AFT Black Caucus Boston Chapter Meeting: Tuesday, March 19
The AFT Black Caucus Boston Chapter is holding an in-person meeting at the BTU Hall from 5 to 6p.m. Join us to learn about how you can get involved in our advocacy work across the state. See this flyer for more information.
School Committee Testimony on Inclusive Education: Wednesday March 20
Join BTU members, families and community partners in testifying on the budgetary and programmatic impact of the current rollout of Inclusion in our schools at the next School Committee meeting. Sign up to speak on some of the most prominent issues that we have heard from members and families which are: Changes to inclusion model with no additional resources, educators requiring multiple licenses for inclusion implementation, lack of transparency with your IPT process. Sign up here to work with BTU on preparing your testimony.
Women’s Right’s Committee Awards Brunch March 23 11am-1pm
The BTU Women Right’s Committee is hosting their Glass Ceiling Awards Brunch. The honorees are: Sonia Chang Diaz, Jean McGuire and Nora Baston. Please RSVP.
BTU Building Update for Members March 26
There will be a meeting for interested BTU members to hear from the architects about the initial program for a new BTU building, and provide an opportunity to share your vision for what a new BTU headquarters building could provide. The meeting will be at the BTU, from 5:00-6:00p.m.
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 from5:30pm-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.
Family2Family Conference: March 30
Join us on Saturday, March 30th for this year’s annual Family2Family Conference! This conference is for parents/caregivers, students, and educators to share and learn from each other, support family engagement, promote family advocacy, and strengthen family and educator collaboration. The free Conference will take place on Saturday, March 30th, from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, in person at Fenway High School (67 Alleghany St, Boston, MA 02120). For more information visit https://btu.org/family2family/
The Teacher Leadership Fund Grant: Applications due April 1st
A feature of our contract, the Teacher Leadership Fund offers grants of up to $15,000 for educator teams who want to work in community to learn about, create, and/or share solutions to improve student learning & well-being. Application Due April 1st (early deadline) or May 2nd (final deadline). For complete information about the program including application and guidelines, see http://www.bit.ly/TLF2024. You can also contact Randyl Wilkerson.
BTU Intent to Retire Fair: April 5, 2024
These meetings are intended for members who wish to retire between 04/05/2024 through 08/05/2024 only. The meeting is not to be used for questions on creditable service, buy backs, estimates or any other routine retirement function. Sign-up form
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 scholarships requirements here.
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
- Igniting Minds through Innovation & Challenge
- Implementing EL Learning Site March 20th, 9:00 am – 2:30pm
- UMass Boston’s Instructional Technology Licensure Virtual Open House April 22, 4:30 p.m.
Climate Resilient Schools: Meeting March 12th
Do you envision a Massachusetts in which all our schools are vibrant examples of climate resilience? Register for the next Climate Resilient Schools Coalition Organizing Network meeting on March 12 from 4pm-5pm! Each month, we take on a different topic to support teams along the process of introducing and winning climate action resolutions in their school districts.
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.
Joy of Learning Grants: Application Due March 22nd
Friends of the Boston Schoolyards is giving out 10 Joy of Learning mini-grants of $300 to $500 to support teaching and learning that will take place outside in Boston schoolyards this spring. Applicants are encouraged to focus on how outdoor learning spaces will be used to achieve project goals. Projects can range from painting in the garden and doing math problems using plants; to writing poetry and reading stories outside, to observing bugs on the school grounds and growing food to eat. The possibilities are endless. Application.
Recruiting Asian, Low-Income, & Immigrant Youth for Virtual Mentoring Program: Information Session March 26th
Current 8th through 11th-grade students: Apply for Apex for Youth’s National Virtual Mentorship Program (NVMP)! Our free program provides high school students from Asian, low-income, and immigrant backgrounds across the United States with a 1-1 mentor for at least two years, with monthly virtual workshops and community building. Mentees would also be eligible for an in-person summer retreat, college scholarships, and other opportunities. More information: https://apexforyouth.org/nvmp/
Courage to Teach Nature & Renewal Day for Educators: Saturday, April 27, 9 AM-3 PM
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University in Jamaica Plain is hosting a one-day retreat on Saturday, April 27, 9 AM-3 PM for Boston area educators. Based on the work of Parker J. Palmer and rooted in the belief that good teaching flows from the identity and integrity of the teacher, this professional development opportunity focuses on renewing the inner lives and well-being of educators. More details here.
National Board Program Social:
April 4th Join us on April 4th (location TBD) from 4:30-7:30 for a gathering of current National Board Certified Teachers, those currently pursuing certification, and this interested. We will be honoring the most recently certified folks and building community and sharing opportunities for those interested and those currently certified. Food will be provided. Register here.
Aspire & Inspire Educator Symposium: May 30th Celebrate this school year with BPS’s Office of Educator Development and Leadership (OEDL) on May 30th from 4:30-7:30 (location TBD) by honoring the work of educators who are leaders both in and outside of the classroom. There will be a variety of ways for attendees to engage– join a presentation, talk to a teacher leader 1-on-1, and explore the OEDL programs! Food and beverages will be served. bit.ly/AIES24
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
BTU members Priscilla Valentine and Benadette Manning attended the State of the Union Address last week as the honored guests of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren. Priscilla was interviewed by WBUR and Benadette’s attendance was covered by GBH News.
In Memoriam
A former long-time BPS School Psychologist, Edward J Donnelly, passed away after a brief illness on Feb 25th. Service information is currently not available. He is survived by his wife Audrey and their beloved children. Donnelly was a fierce advocate for students who were affected by the Department of Youth Services and the juvenile judicial system.