VOTE: Boston Polls Open 7am to 8pm

Thank you to the school communities who welcomed back students to the first day of school this past Thursday with joyful celebrations! We hope all K0-K2 educators who welcomed their young learners on Monday had a wonderful first day of school as well. The 2025 school year is officially underway and we look forward to working together to support our students, enforce our new contract terms, and continue to fight on behalf of working people.

VOTE: Boston Preliminary Elections

Polls are open in Boston from 7am to 8pm! For more information on where you can vote, check out the City of Boston’s Election Department website. The BTU membership has officially endorsed the following candidates in this election cycle:

Mayor Michelle Wu, City Council President and Councilor-At-Large Ruthzee Louijeune, City Councilor At-Large Julia Mejia, District 1 Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, District 2 Councilor Ed Flynn, District 3 Councilor John FitzGerald, District 4 Councilor Brian Worrell, District 5 Councilor Enrique Pepen, and District 6 Councilor Ben Weber.

We want to highlight how politically active our members are! If you have a moment after you vote tomorrow, take a picture and submit it to photos@btu.org!

We cannot overstate how important it is to continue to participate in our democracy during these times. The Trump Administration has made it clear that it only sees Boston as another set piece for its corrosive political theater. The federal government has attempted to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding that directly impacts our students and only failed because public officials–with the backing of unions and activists–stood together and fought back. Boston needs leaders who are prepared to fight to protect the residents of this city and the institutions that make our city great. A group of BTU members explained this perfectly in a joint endorsement video with Mayor Wu!

In case you missed it, the Trump Administration’s ICE agents have already begun a second round of aggressive deportations in Boston and across Massachusetts. At the end of last school year and already last week, BPS families experienced members detained by ICE agents and many students may be returning to our classrooms feeling the stress of this moment. Boston Public Schools has compiled a comprehensive guide for school-based staff on what to do if an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer requests entry to a BPS facility or access to a student and/or their records. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any assistance and please check out these resource from AFT for more guidance.

Important Message Regarding Dental Coverage from the BTU Health and Welfare Fund

The BTU Health and Welfare Fund would like to share this message after hearing from after hearing from a few members who had issues at their dentist

Each year the School Department is required to make a contribution to the Health and Welfare Fund for each Teacher and Paraprofessional employed in the bargaining unit at the start of the school year; However, until it is determined that you are included in that bargaining unit and that the School Department will make a payment in your behalf for that year, you are not covered (until that happens). When this is accomplished, you are covered retroactively to the proper effective date. Any claims you may have for dental work done after September 1 cannot be processed until it is determined that a contribution is due for you, and because of this, we must place the entire dental benefit on “HOLD”. We will make every effort to correct this situation as quickly as possible once the eligibility determination is made, however, we ask for your patience in advance. Here’s a link to the letter.

BTU Form for School-Based Incidents

We have received many reports of physical and emotional behaviors occurring in our classrooms. As we prepare to stay focused on one of our priorities of the year, safe and welcoming schools, we know that these behaviors affect educator and student safety. We need to understand the severity and frequency of these instances and events in your learning communities. With that in mind, we are asking that members fill out the form below when incidents and situations happen. This will better inform us as to what is occurring in your workplace and what we need to bring to the attention of district leaders and what we should be advocating for. Fill out this form

Inclusion Planning Teams

The BPS Inclusive Education team shared this memo to outline the work of the IPT this school year. The memo includes a link to the SY25-26 IPT Meeting Template and a suggested sample timeline for the work. The BTU is still collecting IPT Team member information. Please share your team members using this form if you haven’t done so already.

BTU Strategic Researcher Position Posted

The BTU is seeking a full-time Strategic Researcher. We encourage anyone who is interested to learn more about the position and how to apply here.

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

AFT Black Caucus, Boston Chapter Meeting

The AFT Black Caucus Boston Chapter, led by BTU Political Director Johnny McInnis, will meet in person at the BTU Hall on September 16th at 5:30.

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!

Greater Boston APRI (A. Philip Randolph Institute) meeting

The Greater Boston A. Philip Randolph Institute will be meeting via zoom on September 23rd at 6pm via zoom. You can join the meeting with this link

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.

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!

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.

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
• Early Childhood Learning Cohort: September 24, 5:30-7:00 on Zoom

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.

Thank You for Reading

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