Workers, United, Will Never Be Defeated!

We hope that you’ve had a wonderful summer, and that you’re rejuvenated and looking forward to a great year with your students! We know that most of you have been in schools in some capacity already, but all BTU members are back in school this week, and we look forward to students arriving at most of our schools on Thursday!

The beginning of the school year is always a time for hope, for optimism, and for building strong relationships with students, with families, and with each other. However, many of our members are also feeling anxiety and uncertainty related to the federal government’s fixation on Boston and the potential for harm caused to our students and our school communities. The Boston Teachers Union will be with you every step of the way through all of the ups and downs that a school year inevitably brings.

In addition to threats to stability in our schools, the labor movement is currently fighting against one of the most well-resourced attacks against the very existence of unions. According to the latest tally, President Trump has ordered his government to ignore the collective bargaining rights of nearly half a million unionized federal workers. He has also canceled pre-approved construction projects, including in Salem and Rhode Island, that are putting thousands of construction workers out of work.

Yet, there is still reason for hope. On Monday, the BTU joined thousands of fellow unionized workers for the first Boston Labor Day Parade in nearly a century. Teachers, paraprofessionals, school counselors, pipefitters, teamsters, nurses, hotel workers, electricians and laborers from dozens of professions gathered to unequivocally declare that Boston is a union town. Follow our social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Twitter) for important updates as well as to see BTU members using their voices every day to fight for a better future for our students and workers.

Stipend Transparency

Due to BTU advocacy, at the bargaining table and beyond, we can announce a great win for our members and for transparency! BPS Office of Human Resources let us know that they will now be sending an email to all BTU members when a stipend has been approved for payment. The email will identify the amount of the stipend and the reason for the stipend. After years of receiving nothing more than an opaque line on pay stubs without any explanation other than “stipend,” this move towards clarity is a real step in the right direction that should allow educators to ensure that they are being paid correctly for their work. We are pleased that OHR and the City of Boston have taken this step and we hope that it works well. At the same time, we are engaged in continuing negotiations with the school department about stipend amounts and processes, and we will keep you posted as those discussions play out this year.

Parking Codes for Itinerant Employees

We have advocated for years for better parking solutions for our members. In our most recent contract agreement, we made some progress in this area. If you travel between more than one school/worksite regularly every day, you are now entitled to apply for a code to park at parking meters. Please use this link to apply if this applies to you and make sure to read all the requirements!

Retro Pay

All BTU members who worked last school year should be receiving their retroactive pay on the September 12th pay date. You will also be receiving your second contractual increase which took effect on September 1. You can find the new pay scales on our website. Make sure to thoroughly check your pay stub to be sure your pay is correct as it will be much easier to resolve any discrepancies if they’re caught early.

Sick Bank

Due to our advocacy, the BTU has secured a change to the district’s sick bank policy to expand eligibility to more members. Starting this year, you need to have two years of service to participate rather than three. The Sick Bank is a pool of sick leave days donated by BTU members that their fellow union members can access if they’re experiencing prolonged medical difficulties and have run out of sick time. Please read the latest Superintendent Circular about the Sick Bank process.  We encourage all eligible BTU members to go to ESS and join the sick bank now! You can only donate until October 31st!

Inclusive Education

The districtwide rollout of inclusive education continues along with many inclusion reforms in our new contract. The contractual changes that take effect this school year (SY25-26) include the change to license requirements, creation of three new positions (centrally-based special education teacher, Eligibility COSE, and special education partner paraprofessionals), and family participation on Inclusion Planning Teams. Next school year (SY26-27), the classroom staffing changes will take effect.

The multi-year rollout schedule is as follows:

Mark Your Calendar

The BTU has begun planning its annual Educator of Color Night for this November 20th. We would appreciate your feedback on what has been working and what supports you’d like to see!

The BTU is also proud to announce we will be participating in a Desegregation History Bus Tour on October 25th. We would love for you to join us, please fill out this form if you can make it! If you are a teacher and would like to bring students please reach out to Lea Serena at 617-297-6260. You can also check out this flyer for more information!

BTU Events and Announcements

BTU Back to School Kickoff Party: September 19th, 4:30-8:30pm

Join us for the BTU Back to School Kickoff Party being held on Friday, September 19th from 4:30-8:30pm at the BTU (180 Mt. Vernon St. Dorchester, MA 02125). RSVP here!

BTU Back to School Book Fair: Saturday, Sept. 27th

Our 12th annual BTU Back to School Fair for BPS families will take place on Saturday Sept. 27th, 2025 at the BTU Hall. We’re still looking for volunteers! Come by for a day full of music, face-painting, snacks and story time with local authors. We have over 40,000 FREE books for students, families, and educators as well as dozens of representatives from local community organizations.

2025 Annual BTU Fall Leadership Conference: October 17-19 at Sea Crest Beach Resort in North Falmouth

We have so much work to do to advance our vision for the schools our students deserve… the time to act is NOW. The BTU will pay ALL BTU member expenses for this conference, including meals and hotel stay. Building Reps and other member leaders are highly encouraged to register and attend. Learn more and register today at btu.org/fallconference.

AFT Welcome to Teaching Conversation Series

The American Federation of Teachers has created a series to support those starting a career in teaching. The Welcome to Teaching Conversation Series is an on-demand podcast from Share My Lesson and the AFT. Read the full article to access the full podcast series, bonus content, and ideas to support educators at every stage.

Prioritize YOUR Well-being with Educators Thriving & the BTU: Due 9/17

“Thank you for creating this course. It helped me have a better year and thinking through the things that are important to me and really did help me change my mental state while at work. Things are still stressful and there’s always too much work, but it helped me prioritize, and keep my life in order.”

In this free course for BTU members, learn and practice concrete strategies to prevent burnout and support your own well-being. See our flyer to learn more. Application due Wed. 9/17. Earn 3 ALCs for completing all course requirements. Space is limited.

De-escalation Training: Sept 18th @10am at BTU Hall

This de-escalation training, designed specifically for Boston Public Schools staff, offers practical, easy-to-use strategies grounded in trauma-informed practices. You’ll learn how to recognize the early signs of student escalation, prevent power struggles, stay calm under pressure, and support students through every stage of a behavioral crisis. With clear guidance, real-life examples, and tools you can use right away, this session will empower you to create safe, respectful, and supportive learning environments. Join us and build your skills to make a bigger impact every day. Register here!

Supporting Classrooms Through a Trauma-Informed Lens: Sept 18th @2pm at the BTU Hall

Join us for “Supporting Classrooms Through a Trauma-Informed Lens,” a dynamic and practical professional development session designed especially for substitute teachers. This session unpacks the impact of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on student behavior and learning, and offers concrete, easy-to-use strategies for building predictability, emotional safety, and resilience in the classroom. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of stress responses in students, tools to support de-escalation and routine-building, and a roadmap for improving collaboration with your team. If you’re looking to feel more confident, supported, and effective in your role—this session is for you.

Register here!

Teachers as Scholars: Make Time for YOUR Learning. Application Due Sep. 16th

BTU members are eligible to win one of 30 full scholarships to learn with experts in their fields, from Literature, History, AI and more. Review the lineup of courses, and then enter the drawing. Deadline September 16th! Winners will be selected at random in September.  Check out the Course Catalog and APPLY HERE!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk: Join the BTU Team on October 4^th!

The BTU is once again organizing the BTU Walkers for another year of walking and fundraising in support of the effort to eradicate breast cancer. Each year, the BTU provides a shuttle bus from the BTU Hall to the Hatch Shell so volunteers can participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on the Esplanade. Check out more information here and search for the BTU Walkers Team to register with our group!

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.

• Nuestros Niños Professional Development Program
• Early Childhood Co-Planning Drop-In
• Supporting Classrooms through a Trauma-informed lens
• Bullying Intervention Specialist Training

Community Events

Boston Busing in Chinatown: 50 Years Later Panel Discussion September 13th at 1pm

Join the panel discussion reflecting on 50 years since Chinatown mothers organized around busing and education equity on Saturday, September 13th from 1-3pm at the Josiah Quincy Elementary School auditorium (885 Washington St, Boston). RSVP at tinyurl.com/busing50.

BTU in the News

Check out the Globe’s coverage from the Boston Labor Day, featuring quotes from BTU members on the importance of keeping up the fight for workers’ rights and protecting democracy.

“Teachers and other educators are seeing a federal administration in Washington that is kicking our students and their families off health insurance, gutting funding for public education, canceling collective bargaining agreements in order to provide tax cuts to billionaires and undermine public institutions that truly make America great,” BTU President Berg said.

Thank You for Reading

Please send your comments and questions to us at bulletin@btu.org, or call the BTU at 617-288-2000.