During the convention, President Jessica Tang, AFT-MA President Beth Kontos and Secretary Treasurer Brant Duncan were re-elected as Vice-Presidents at-large. RTC Chairwoman Marilyn Marion and BTU Political Director Johnny McInnis were also re-elected as VPs at-large as representatives of their affiliate organizations: the A. Phillip Randolph Institute (APRI) and the Alliance of Retired Americans (ARA).
Our union made some progress this weekend in making sure our schools have a sufficient number of ABA specialists and that they are properly compensated. Under a new agreement, any BPS staffer who refers a person and fills out this form for an ABA position will receive $500 if the person they referred is hired and completes their probation period. In addition, all current and future ABAs hired before February 1 of the 2023-2024 school year who complete the year will receive a $1,000 bonus. Please see the full agreement and we encourage candidates to apply to ABA vacancies on TalentEd.
We look forward to gathering with our members this weekend for our Fall Leadership Conference in Providence, RI. We’ll be offering workshops on union engagement, inclusive education integration, contract enforcement and much more. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our priorities and to get to know your colleagues, and we are happy to share that this is the largest group we will be hosting in at least a decade! We are at capacity at this point, but please contact Michelle if you would like to added to our waiting list.
Our Political Action team and our members are door-knocking, holding signs and phone banking for our endorsed candidates as the general election approaches!
Sign up to join our City Council candidate phone banks. Contact BTU Political Director Johnny McInnis to join our BTU Electoral Action Team. We are sending a special bulletin each Thursday leading up to the election to publicize events where you can get involved. If you missed one, you can find them alongside our regular bulletins on our website.The BTU Inclusion Done Right Committee is hosting a Community Forum on Tuesday, October 24 at the BTU Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. Inclusive education will continue to be one of our main priorities for the next few years as part of our mission to make Boston Public Schools an equitable and welcoming place for all children. Hearing directly from our school communities gives us an in-depth understanding of what is and isn’t working. Check out the flyer and further details below. Note for Inclusion Planning Teams: Please be sure to send planning documents and updates to BTU Inclusion Liaison Katie DeLaRosa. We have heard that some principals are saying that the plans cannot be shared with BTU staff. That is incorrect, and, in fact, we need access to planning documents so that we can best support IPTs throughout the process. It is unfortunate that BPS is withholding information from us when we are trying to ensure the planning is being done collaboratively.
Our Back to School Party and Breast Cancer Benefit is scheduled for Friday, October 27 at the BTU Union Hall from 3-8 p.m. Join your union siblings for a night of socializing and relaxation or stop by before heading out to other events! See our flyer below for details and make sure to register ahead of time for planning purposes.
As images of violence in the Middle East continue to saturate the media, including social media, this guidance on how to engage with children around conflict and war may prove useful. Our hearts remain with all BPS families who have been or continue to be impacted.
Finally, BPS has launched its Facilities Condition Assessment dashboard that grades each school on terms of equipment condition, energy efficiency, and usable space for education. This can be a useful tool for Building Reps to identify pressing structural issues within your school. BPS will be at our December Membership Meeting to share more.
NEW- Joint Committee on Education Hearing: TONIGHT, October 17, 2023
The Education Committee is holding a hearing on two bills that would address the lack of early education and childcare options in the state. The bills would increase funding for providers and provide financial assistance to low-income families. Check out this resource page for information on the bill as well as this package for tips on writing letters.
AFT Black Caucus, Boston Chapter: October 17, 5:00-6:30PM
The first in-person meeting of the AFT Black Caucus Boston Chapter is happening at the BTU Hall at 180 Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester.
Haitian Educators Committee Meeting: October 17, 5:00PM
Join the Committee’s monthly meeting to help plan a meet and greet for the second week of November to welcome new members. Contact Bianca Pierre for the zoom link.
Join other BTU members interested in fighting for Ethnic and Black studies curricula that encourages critical thinking, knowledge, respect, and justice. Email Amrita Dani for a zoom link.
Paraprofessional Informational Meeting & Resource Fair: October 18, 5:00-7:00PM
Come join us for important information and great resource materials from colleges, housing agencies AND MORE! You can register here.
NEW- Inclusion Done Right Community Forum: Register Deadline TODAY
The BTU Inclusion Done Right Committee is hosting a Community Forum on Tuesday, October 24th at the BTU Hall from 6-8PM. Please join us as we learn from district leaders, coaches, and BTU members working on school inclusion planning teams, and to ask questions and contribute to the conversation on the Inclusive Education rollout. Check out our flyer. Food will be provided. Childcare and interpretation are available with registration by October 17th.
NEW-AFT MA Fall Leadership Conference: November 4
Not able to make the BTU Leadership Conference? Join our state level union siblings for a convention that offers training for building reps on grievance handling, training for bargaining and organizing committees, creating a contract campaign, and training from our legal department and meet fellow AFT-MA activists from across the state!
Homework Helper
The Boston Teachers Union has co-sponsored the Homework Helper Program with the Mayor’s Office and the Boston Public Library for 19 years. We have a BTU member at each library that is open late, one or two nights a week (Copley four nights), to help any child who is need of help with their homework. See the full schedule of locations.
NEW- Bruins Tickets
We have a limited number of tickets for the Bruins vs Toronto game on November 2nd at 7:30 pm. Seats are located in Balcony 321 and the tickets are $125.00 each. The tickets are available to our members and are on a first come fist serve basis. In order to accommodate as many of our members as possible, we are starting with a 2 ticket max. Please register here if you would like to purchase tickets.
Professional Learning & Development Updates
- AFT Member Benefit Virtual Workshops
- Asynchronous Spanish for BPS Educators: Fall 2023
- ERAFANS Outdoor Teacher Retreat
- NAEP 2024 Job Opportunity
- Mentoring For Professional Licensure
- Secondary Open Up Math Unit Virtual Previews
- Fall Telescope Learning & Leading Survey by 10/20
- Secondary ESL Planning Cohort: Grades 6-12
- Become a Wellness Champion
- Degree Completion
- Collaborative Problem Learning Site (K-12)
- Pathway Programs: Deadline October 25
- Paid Inclusion and Anti-Racism Consultant for MFA Learning Programs
Community News & Events
BPS is holding virtual and in-person meetings to gather community input on how it should “grade” school buildings in order to identify the facilities that have the greatest needs. This is a chance to shape how BPS decides where to invest its money! Check out the schedule and to register.
The RISE program pairs experienced educators with children in the Massachusetts foster care system. The Educator specialist will work in person with youth from kindergarten through 3rd grade, their caregivers and school personnel to ensure that they are receiving the services they deserve and reaching their academic goals. If you are interested in this program please email Peter Newman. NEW- 18th Annual Schools on the Move Prize Ceremony: November 8
Each fall, Edvestors awards a $100,000 School on the Move Prize to a Boston Public School that has made significant strides in improving its culture and education. This ceremony will celebrate one of the three finalists.
Boston Partners in Education Mentorship
The BPIE has matched students with mentors for more than 50 years. Mentors meet with students in-person or online – for one hour a week – to help with classwork and homework. Any BPS student in grades K0-12 is eligible to be matched with a mentor in any school subject. Students can be nominated for a mentor on their website.
NEW- Governor’s Youth Advisory Council: November 13
This Council will give young people from across the Commonwealth the opportunity to advise the Healey-Driscoll Administration on issues such as climate, education, mental health, gun violence, housing and more. Applicants must be between 16 and 21 years old
NEW- Mr. Parent: A One Man Show
BTU In the News
Boston City Council Recognizes Hispanic Leaders
Boston City Councilor Ruthzee Loujieune selected Jose Valenzuela for one of the Council’s “Pilar de la Hispanidad 2023 Award” this month. Valenzuela was recognized for his impact as a coach, teacher and mentor to students through Beat the Streets New England. The organization uses wrestling to educate and empower young people in Boston and Providence. Valenzuela is a history teacher at Boston Latin Academy and started the wrestling program there.
Making Strides in Student Literacy
Kindergarten teacher Adina Thomas was featured in a Boston Globe article focusing on the progress her students at the Haynes Early Education Center have made since the BPS has adopted a Equitable Literacy Program.