We hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! While we all enjoyed the beautiful weather, it is important to take time to reflect and honor those who have sacrificed everything.
Our June membership meeting is Wednesday, June 14 beginning at 4:30 p.m. There are many new updates regarding changes to special education. Please note that there will be a presentation from the district with the latest information, in addition to the important information below. We will also begin getting input from our members for our upcoming new contract campaign. If you need childcare, please register in advance here.
Per the BPS Central Office: BPS will undergo a grade-level implementation to ensure student IEPs and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) settings align and are implemented across the system. In SY26-27, all grade levels will be implementing LRE. The current implementation timeline for grade levels is in this graphic. Please note that grade level progression beyond grade 9 will be finalized following further discussion with secondary school leaders. To achieve the goal of all grade levels implementing LRE by SY26-27, schools will engage in a planning process over the course of the next year according to this sample planning timeline. Additionally, the Inclusion Done Right Committee invites you to their next open forum, which will be held in-person at the BTU on Thursday, June 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. Come to hear updates, share concerns, ask questions, and collaborate with BPS educators and families. Food, childcare, and interpretation will be available with advanced registration. Register now!
Our contract allows for Boston Public Schools to add up to 12 hours of professional development to support the rollout of inclusion in each of the next two years. BPS has decided to require 8 additional compensated hours for next year for Teachers and Paras and 5 additional compensated hours for COSE, Psychologists, Family Liaisons, Guidance, Social Workers, and Related Service Providers. To be clear, these hours will be paid at the real pro-rata rate (not an arbitrary stipend), which for most members is well above the contractual hourly rate. Any member whose pro-rata rate is below the hourly rate will be paid at the contractual hourly rate. Paraprofessionals are invited to attend the PD, but may not be required to do so. They will be paid at their regular rate. The faculty at each school must vote to approve the schedule for these hours before the end of the year in June. Please note: This vote is only on the schedule, not whether to hold the PD, which is required.
This provision applies to all traditional schools. BPS and BTU are in discussion about the implications and requirements for autonomous schools. More detailed communication and guidelines about these hours will be distributed in the near future.
Tomorrow begins the start of Pride Month! The Pride Parade is returning to Boston this summer, and the BTU wants you to be a part of it. The parade exists to commemorate the brave LGBTQ+ people who risked their safety to advocate for the lives and humanity of LGBTQ+ people, to celebrate the richness and complexity of LGBTQ+ community, and to continue to advocate for equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ people, especially those who face intersecting forms of oppression. We hope to bring a delegation of BTU educators and allies to march in the Boston Pride for the People (BP4TP) Parade to show our support and solidarity to our students and educators and to promote the empowerment of LGBTQ+ communities within our schools. Register here to join!
The BTU Unafraid Educators are excited to announce that this year’s Immigrant Pride Week of Action will take place from May 30 – June 2. Please share the flyer with your school communities! For more information, please check out our Choice Board to access the weekly schedule and all resources.
From the Election Committee: Videos for all candidates, including candidates for officer, staff and executive board positions are now available on our website. Mail-in ballots for our general election were sent out last week. If you have not received yours yet, please call our election vendor MK Elections at 203-403-8401, extension 4, or plan to vote in person. The in-person election at the BTU is on Wednesday, June 7 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mail-in ballots must be received by June 6. To ensure your vote counts, please be sure to mail them immediately if you do not plan to vote in person! There were a couple of errors in our ballots; corrections are available at the linked page. We recognize how important names and school assignments are, and apologize for those errors slipping by. If you have any other comments or questions, please reach out to electioncommittee@btu.org.
REMINDER: Every school should have been conducting Building Rep elections this past month. Guidelines for how to conduct elections can be found here. Please submit election results by TOMORROW, June 1 here.
Finally, BTU members and advocates from across the state showed up in force last Wednesday for the Thrive Act Advocacy Day at the State House! If passed, the Thrive Act would rectify the failed, top-down, bureaucratic decision-making procedures currently enshrined in state law that allows for receivership and instead empower those closest to our schools to make the decisions that will enable our students and schools to thrive. It would also eliminate the high-stakes components of the MCAS tests. Thanks to all who came out! Read more about the event and the legislation on Boston.com, CommonWealth Magazine, WCVB 5 ABC, and the Boston Herald. To learn more about the Thrive Act, visit bit.ly/ThriveActMA.
Thank you to everyone who was able to make it there! See the full album of photos from the Thrive Act Advocacy Day on our Facebook page.
BTU Events and Announcements
NEW- Immigrant Pride Week of Action: May 30-June 2
The Unafraid Educators are excited to announce that this year’s Immigrant Pride Week of Action will take place from May 30 – June 2. Please share the flyer with your school communities! For more information, please check out our Choice Board to access the weekly schedule and all resources.
NEW- Red Sox Tickets: June 3, 6:10PM
Thanks to the generosity of the Red Sox Foundation, we once again have tickets to give out to our BTU Members. The tickets are for Saturday, June 3, 6:10 p.m. game start time at Fenway Park. Please note they are on a first come, first serve basis and there is a maximum of 2 tickets per member. Due to the demand, if you do not receive an email by end of day Thursday confirming your request, unfortunately that means no tickets are left. Please fill out the Google form if you are interested.
Gardner Museum Mindful Morning for Educators: June 3, 9:00-11:00AM
Discover serenity and inspiration at the Gardner Museum at a free event designed exclusively for educators, co-sponsored by the Boston Teachers Union. Join us to indulge in interactive gallery activities, art making, and a delightful breakfast. Unwind, connect, and nourish your soul. Open to all active and retired members. RSVP before June 1. Email ThinkArt@isgm.org with questions.
Inclusion Done Right Forum: June 8, 6:00-7:30PM
The Inclusion Done Right Committee invites you to their next open forum, which will be held in-person at the BTU on Thursday, June 8 from 6-7:30pm. Come to hear updates, share concerns, ask questions, and collaborate with BPS educators and families. Food, childcare, and interpretation will be available with advanced registration. Register at bit.ly/IDROPENMTG. Download the flyer here to share with educators and families at your school.
Join the BTU at Boston’s Pride Parade: June 10, 10:30AM-12:30PM
The Pride Parade is returning to Boston this summer, and the BTU wants you to be a part of it! The parade exists to commemorate the brave LGBTQ+ people who risked their safety to advocate for the lives and humanity of LGBTQ+ people, to celebrate the richness and complexity of LGBTQ+ community, and to continue to advocate for equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ people, especially those who face intersecting forms of oppression. We hope to bring a group of 75 members to march in the Boston Pride for the People (BP4TP) Parade to show our support and solidarity to our students and educators and to promote the empowerment of LGBTQ+ communities within our schools. Register here to join.
NEW- Telescope Trivia at Roundhead Brewery: June 16, 5:00-7:00PM
Join us for the return of in person Telescope Trivia! Join our your own or bring a team. Free apps! Free cover! Prizes! RSVP now.
BTU Housing Justice Committee Retreat: June 17
Do you think living in Boston is too expensive? Join the Housing Justice Committee for food, community building, and to make a plan to win a more affordable Boston for our students, families, and coworkers. All are welcome, especially people who have never been involved before! Register here.
Summer Organizing Institute: June 26-27, 9:00AM-3:00PM
Join AFT MA and BTU for two days of skill-building for union leaders, building reps and member activists. Register at bit.ly/SummerOI2023.
Electing your Inclusion Planning Team (IPT)
All schools are required to have an Inclusion Planning Team (IPT), which will work to plan and implement the vision for becoming an inclusive district within each school community. To assist school teams in forming IPTs, we have summarized key information here. All schools should conduct their elections and have a full team roster by the end of this school year. Please send your team roster to Katie DeLaRosa, Inclusive Practices Liaison. The full contract language on Inclusion Planning Teams can be found on pages 9-10 of the MOA. For more information and support, please contact Katie DeLaRosa and/or your field rep.
BRep Stipend Information
Complete the direct deposit form linked to facilitate easier and faster payment of your yearly BRep stipend. Complete the direct deposit form linked and email to Kendall Mosley.
Apply to be a Summer Organizing Union Leader!
The BTU seeks Summer Organizing Union Leaders (SOULs) to support BTU’s campaigns around welcoming new members into the union, fighting state takeovers, and preparing for the next round of contract negotiations. This is a stipended opportunity. Program runs from July 10- August 11 with flexible hours. Learn more and apply at btu.org/soul.
Volunteers Needed for the 2023 NAACP Convention: July 26-August 1
Save the dates! The 2023 NAACP Convention is coming to Boston. It will take place from Wednesday, July 26 to Tuesday, August 1. Events will be taking place at the Park Plaza and Boston Convention Center. Please fill out the NAACP Volunteer Interest Form if you are interested in volunteering. More information will follow and training will take place for all volunteers (exact training date and location is TBD). For more information, please visit their website: www.NAACP.org
Changes in Pay Frequency for Paras and CFCs
Applicants who wish to change their pay frequency from 10 months to 12 months or 12 months to 10 months must notify Payroll by submitting the Para Pay Frequency application or completing the Google form prior to the June 1 deadline to be effective September of the next school year.
City of Boston Expands Chiropractic Benefits
Effective July 1, 2023, a Chiropractic benefit will be added to BCBS HMO and Mass
General Brigham HMO plan (there is already coverage under the BCBS PPO plan).
Seeking New Member of the Educator Supports Program (ESP) Panel
There is an opening for a new BTU appointee on the ESP Panel, which governs the Educator Supports Program. For more information about this paid opportunity which entails additional work, please see the ESP Website. For questions about the role or to apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to Erik Berg.
Take Action: Retirement Legislation
AFT Massachusetts is supporting a number of legislative proposals supporting a dignified retirement for our retirees. Among them are: Increasing COLAs, A Second Chance at Retirement Plus and repealing the WEP and GPO.
BTU Merchandise
You can purchase your BTU apparel using this link. We have hooded sweatshirts, t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts and our newest item: BTU polo-style shirts! We also have new Pride Month gear. Get them while they last!
Paraprofessional Mentors
Paraprofessionals, we want to make sure you are aware of the wonderful Para Mentors that we have to assist you. If you are struggling with your evaluation, or needing assistance with your role as a paraprofessional, the mentors can help. Please reach out to Colleen Hart at chart@btu.org if you are in need of a mentor or have any questions.
Revised Focus on PreK Curriculum Summer Training: August 29-31
Focus on PreK has lots of exciting revisions!! Come and learn what’s different in the new curriculum, what’s familiar, and how to use the NEW Focus on Prek Curriculum for equitable early literacy instruction. We’ll unpack the big ideas, key components, core texts, and assessments, with a deep dive into Unit 1. This professional learning is highly recommended for ALL BPS PreK educators.
Para Pro Assessment Prep Classes
BPS is offering support in preparing candidates to take the ParaPro Assessment and start their journey to becoming paraprofessionals in our classrooms. Join to learn more about the test and how best to prepare! Five separate sessions of online test prep courses will be offered. Register now!
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!
Important Dates for Paras
Please see here for important dates for excessing, pools and assignments.
SY23-24 BPS Teaching Fellowship Program
Are you currently working under an emergency or provisional license? We are currently accepting applications for the BPS Teaching Fellowship (BPSTF) for SY23-24. BPSTF is designed to support teachers through DESE’s CAP Cycle and to ensure they secure initial licensure in Elementary, Moderate Disabilities, or ESL, while also providing teachers with on-the-job mentorship throughout the year. Teachers with an emergency or provisional license who need to enter an approved educator preparation program for initial licensure should apply on TalentEd. Deadline to apply is May 31, 2023, but we encourage candidates to apply ASAP. Please contact: bpsteachingfellowship@bostonpublicschools.org with any questions.
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
- Bringing the Campus of Boston into Your Classroom: Teaching with Historic Places
- Creative Coding in the Classroom
- Place-Based Boston Summer Institute
- Tech: Past, Present, and Future
- Mental Wellness Workshops
- Lifting as We Climb: Black Women Activists in Boston
- Bilingual Education Certificate Cohort 5 at Boston College
- STEAM PD Quilting & Math
- Learn with BPSTechnology in Summer 2023
- National Board Leadership Team Open Position
Community News & Events
Rally for Rent Control and Foreclosure Prevention: June 1
Do you want to advocate for a more affordable Boston? The Housing Justice Committee will be joining our allies at Homes for All to organize a rally and lobby day to ask the state government to support rent control and help prevent foreclosures. Join and you can contribute to a more affordable Boston!
NEW- MTA Virtual Forum: June 5
The MTA invites you to an MTA Virtual Forum on the Thrive Act, high-stakes standardized testing and state takveovers. Featuring Congressman Jamaal Bowman and other special guests! Register now.
NEW- Library Educator Day of Learning! June 6
Library Services is hosting an in person day of learning for Library Educators in collaboration with Harvard School of Education and the Telescope Network. Join us at the Harvard Gutman Library as we tackle the question “How do we create critical, culturally responsive, and joyful libraries?”. RSVP by emailing ephippssoeiro@bostonpublicschools.org or fhumphries@bostonpublicschools.org.
NEW- Retirement Party Honoring Isilda Coleman: June 15
Join for a party honoring Isilda Coleman’s 31 years of hard work, dedication and service to BPS students. See the flyer for more info.
Thank You for Reading
Please send your comments and questions to us at bulletin@btu.org, or call the BTU at 617-288-2000.