Boston Pride – On Saturday, BTU members joined the Boston Pride for the People Parade to celebrate LGBTQ+ educators and families. We know that our classrooms and schools need to be safe and inclusive for all of our students. #EveryoneIsWelcomeHere
We’re wishing you all a wonderful last full week with your students!
ICYMI: BTU members elected a new set of BTU Officers, including Field Reps, Political Director, Executive Board, Para Council, RTC and Delegate Elections last week. Congratulations to all those who will be serving in union leadership positions, and thank you to all of our candidates. It is not easy to run for office, and we are glad that you did. We also want to extend a big thank you to the Election Committee for all their hard work and dedication overseeing the election. The committee is seeking feedback on this year’s election process, so please complete this member survey. If you have any additional feedback, please reach out to committee members at electioncommittee@btu.org.
BTU Appointed Committees and Positions: Deadline June 30
After each election, the BTU President appoints new members to standing committees and positions. Some of these committees include:
- Negotiating Team (stipend offered)
- The BTU Health and Welfare Fund Trustees
- BTU Legal Fund Trustees
- Paraprofessional Health and Welfare Fund Trustee
- Boston Union Teacher (BTU newspaper) Co-Editors (stipend offered)
- Boston Union Teacher Editorial Board
- Committee on Political Education (COPE)
There may be an undetermined number of vacancies in each of these committees. If you are interested in serving in one of these roles, please send a letter of interest/summary of applicable experience to Daphne at dsoto@btu.org with the name of the committee or role in the subject line. The deadline is Friday, June 30.
Our June membership meeting is TOMORROW, Wednesday, June 14 beginning at 4:30 p.m. Please see the agenda. We will hearing a presentation from the district with the latest information regarding special education inclusion. We will also begin gathering input from our members to shape our contract proposals for the upcoming contract campaign. There are many other important end-of-year updates and votes. If you need childcare, please register in advance here.
Update regarding Boston Latin Academy: Educators at BLA are raising awareness of ongoing concerns regarding the working and learning conditions at the school. Parents, students, and community members have echoed many of these concerns. Some of those who share the concerns created this petition calling for the central office to engage further in the situation. BLA educators are asking for support of this petition.
Our current contract with BPS will expire in 2024, and we have started preparing for new contract negotiations. Join our Collective Bargaining Committee to help shape our next agreement with the district. We’re looking to convene a diverse group of 70+ BTU members, representing all bargaining units, roles, grade bands, races, experience levels, and school types to make up our collective bargaining committee (CBC). The purpose of the CBC is to develop our contract bargaining package and work with BTU elected staff and representatives from the negotiating team and executive board to develop and execute an organizing plan for our contract bargaining campaign once a package is submitted. Learn more about CBC here and if you’re interested in joining CBC, let us know here. Our first appointments to the committee will be made on Wednesday!
Calling all activist, veteran and aspiring union leaders! Join AFT MA and BTU for two days of skill-building for union leaders, building reps and member activists. This year’s Summer Organizing Institute will take place June 26-27, 9:00AM-3:00PM. Register at bit.ly/SummerOI2023.
Last weekend, the BTU was proud to award $142,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors. Congratulations to all of the recipients! Thank you to the Scholarship Committee and all of the Reps who nominated students to receive scholarships as well.
The Boston Globe published a pointed Letter to the Editor on how – and how not – to constructively build climate-ready school buildings by BTU Climate Justice Committee Co-chair Betsy Drinan. Read it here.
BTU website refresh. Over the last year and half, we have worked to build a new, modern website that is easier to navigate and better suits our members’ needs. Thank you to our members who participated in UX focus groups and provided valuable feedback on the design and usability of the site.
Save the dates! The 2023 NAACP Convention is coming to Boston 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
REMINDER: Submit your Building Rep Election Results! Please submit election results at btu.org/brelection.
Members in Action – Inclusion Done Right Forum
At a recent forum, BTU members led discussions on how to ensure inclusion is fully delivered across BPS so all our students are educated in the least restrictive environment and are provided access to a full continuum of services that meet their individualized and special needs.
BTU Events and Annoucements
Telescope Trivia at Roundhead Brewery: June 16, 5:00-7:00PM
Join us for the return of in person Telescope Trivia at Roundhead Brewing Company in Hyde Park! Join our your own or bring a team. Free apps! Free cover! Prizes! RSVP now.
BTU Housing Justice Committee Retreat: June 17, 11:00AM-2:00PM
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.
NEW- Haitian Educators Committee Meeting: June 20, 5:00-7:00PM
The Haitian Educators Committee would like to invite you to our End-of-the-Year celebration. Please join us on Tuesday, June 20 at 5 pm at the BTU office for food and drinks to discuss the needs and concerns of our community. If you would like to be a part of our leadership team or our general committee, please join us for more information and to get to know our members. We’re looking forward to seeing you! Please contact Bianca Pierre for more details.
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.
BTU Pride T-Shirts
BTU Pride t-shirts are now available at the BTU Online Store! Order yours today.
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.
Signing Up for First Book
AFT has launched the Reading Opens the World initiative and is teaming up with First Book – a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting educators serving kids in need – to distribute another 1 million free books to children and families in 2023! To access these incredible opportunities and receive updates about the initiative, sign up with First Bookfor free!
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.
Inclusive Education Tools and Resources
We will be continuously sharing inclusive education updates, tools and resources in this bulletin. Information is also being stored in this shared folder and will be updated regularly. Additionally, relevant research and news will be added. Currently in the shared folder you can find information on professional development, establishing the IPT, implementation timeline, the current contract, and FAQs.
ESY is Hiring Teachers and Paras
Come join the Office of Special Education this summer! We are hiring teachers and paraprofessionals for Extended School Year (ESY). ESY is a Special Education program for students with disabilities whose IEP team has determined that, in order to minimize substantial regression and reduce substantial recoupment time, a student is required to attend ESY. ESY is a five (5) week, five (5) day, five (5) hour per day summer program, which runs from July 10 – August 11th. Visit www.bostonpublicschools.org/ESY-Hiring for updates or email ESY-Hiring@bostonpublicschools.org with questions.
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, advancing our legislative priorities, and preparing for our upcoming 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).
Educator Supports Program Seeking Consulting Teachers
The Boston Educator Supports Program (ESP) is seeking Consulting Teachers (CTs) for the 2023-24 school year. The Educator Supports Program is a jointly managed BTU-BPS program that provides support to permanent teachers rated less than proficient on their evaluation. We are particularly seeking applicants with experience working at the secondary level. Please see the posting to apply, and for more information about this opportunity, please visit the ESP website.
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 at the BTU Swag Shop. 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 opportunity 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.
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
- MIT CATE Climate PD Workshop
- Asynchronous Spanish for BPS Educators: Fall 2023
Community News & Events
NEW– Retirement Celebration for Mr. Ian Glaude: June 20
Please join for a farewell to honor Mr. Glaude’s achievements, contributions, and lasting impact on the CASH Community after 33 years in BPS.
NEW – STEAM PD “Quilting+Math”, June 26-27
The Quilting & Math PD allows participants to explore interdisciplinary curricula that focus on math competencies and literacy skills. It is hosted by Lesley University’s STEAM Lab in partnership with BPS Art, STEM, Robotics, and Technology Departments. All educators (classroom teachers (all subjects), Paras, ABAs, and Instructional Coaches) are encouraged to apply. The registration deadline has been extended until June 16. Contact Sue Cusack at scusack@lesley.edu or Katina McClain kmcclain@lesley.edu if you have questions.
Full STEAM Ahead Into Summer: July 31 – August 11
MIT is launching a FREE, in-person two (or three) week STEAM summer program for 11 – 14-year-olds in Massachusetts. The program runs July 31 – August 11, with the option to extend till August 18. Please visit the webpage to learn more and apply.
NEW– 617Peak Peak Sessions Showcase: June 16
The Showcase will feature around 20 talented young artists, many of whom are Boston Public School or METCO students. It allows students to showcase their music and spoken word talents and work pieces they have been crafting all year through the Peak Sessions program. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase our community’s talent and bring together art lovers across the city.
NEW – GBIO Housing Justice Action, June 26 7:00-8:00PM
Join over 1000 Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) leaders, tenant neighbors, and allies as we make the case for housing justice. Everyone deserves a home! Get all the details here.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
The Boston Teachers Union is once again sponsoring a team of walkers in the fight against breast cancer. Please join the BTU Walkers as we join the thousands of others fighting the good fight. Fighting breast cancer is very personal to us, and that’s why we have joined the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer movement in our community. You can support it too by helping us reach (or exceed!) our fundraising goal. Click here to visit Brenda Chaney’s personal page, and click here to view the TEAM page for BTU Walkers.
Obituary
The Boston Teachers Union regrets to announce the passing of Joanna Littlefield, a longtime educator at Grover Cleveland Middle School. The Boston Teachers Union sends its condolences to her family, friends and former colleagues. Please see the obituary notice here.
Thank You for Reading
Please send your comments and questions to us at bulletin@btu.org, or call the BTU at 617-288-2000.