Good Morning and Happy December! We recently learned that a number of our members have not been receiving our eBulletins since the second week of November. We are currently working to resolve an issue with our distribution program and believe the issue may have stemmed from a “bot” attack in early November. In the meantime, you can find our past eBulletins here and can share this sign-up link with your colleagues. Please also check your “spam” folders to see if they have been filtered there.
The inclusion plan realignment proposals for grades K0, K1, K2, 7 and 9 are due today. IPTs are expected to link the realignment slides and previous steps of the plan into your school’s template document. We have been asked what teams should do if they do not feel ready to share their proposals yet, which we understand is a very real concern given the recent changes to SEI programming.
In this scenario, you should ask your inclusive education coach for support and have the school leader reach out to their regional School Superintendent. We would like to know if you make this request and are denied. If this happens, we recommend that you link the plans into the template document and make sure that “DRAFT” is written on them. Our advice is always to make plans based on the needs of our students, not arbitrary guidelines or reliance on multiple licenses.
We have been advocating for more time for schools to continue working on these plans and believe that revisions can and should be made after 1) seeing the rubric by which decisions will be made, and 2) after getting feedback from the school community, including your School Site Council or Governing Board, families and other members of the staff and school community. This rubric was shared with school leaders on Sunday and will be used when reviewing each school’s plan. We believe that timeline was wholly insufficient, but have been told there will be multiple more opportunities to revise the plans before next September when schools have actual enrollment data. The following timeline for next steps has been shared by BPS:
– Dec 5 – Jan 5: Plans are reviewed by the central office and responses are generated
– Jan 5: Deadline for schools to receive a response about their IPT plan submission
– Jan 8 – Jan 28: IPT responses, budgets, and staffing are reviewed individually with schools
We know that licensure has become a large part of the conversation in the realignment proposal process and it is disheartening to hear that student services are still being proposed to be delivered by educators through the use of multiple licenses at the same time. This is a disservice to students and greatly increases teacher burnout. Our most recent MOA states that “The parties recognize that dual/triple licensure will not be considered as a sole service delivery model and that models including at least two educators should be considered first to meet requirements in students’ IEPs in the least restrictive environment. The parties recognize that an educator with a second license in special education or ESL does not extinguish the District’s obligation to provide support from other educators that are required in students’ IEPs and/or for the benefit of specialized instruction and ESL services.” (p. 31)
While we work on a new contract package we wanted to remind you of a few of the provisions in the current contract regarding licensure:
-For a 1.0 teacher classroom where the teacher is using three licenses, two of which are special education and ESL, ESL services for EL students will be provided by an ESL teacher who is not the teacher of record, or Special Ed Services will be provided by a special ed teacher who is not the teacher of record, unless the teacher agrees and is provided a stipend of 45 minutes per day at the contractual hourly rate. (p. 31)
-If practicable in the school schedule, teachers who meet the requirements for student IEPs, using both a general education or ESL license and special education license will be afforded one additional 48-minute period per week for special education paperwork, in addition to pre-existing contractual P&D and CPT time. If the period is not available, the teacher can be compensated for up to 48 minutes per week. (p. 32)
-Where a position requires two licenses, and the incumbent does not possess the required licenses, that teacher may be excessed for the lack of holding the two licenses provided they are notified two (2) years in advance. (p. 77)
-Any educator with 25 or more years of service as of September 1, 2022, under a Massachusetts license or they received their teaching license before 1998, shall not be required to obtain an additional license. (p. 78)
-BPS will reimburse teachers up to $3,000 during their employment with the BPS for the cost of obtaining another license required by BPS for the teacher’s position, including but not limited to those working under a waiver or emergency license. (p. 78)
As mentioned above, the next membership meeting is next week on Wednesday, December 13. As a reminder, our Women’s Rights Committee is holding a Holiday Drive benefit for the women’s shelter Rosie’s Place. They’ll be accepting donations at this membership meeting. Check our BTU events below for suggested donations, or look through a list of suggested donations. Please remember to register in advance for child care for the meeting as well. We are excited that a few of the regional instructional coaches from the Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Education (OMME) will be at the next Membership meeting on December 13th to help answer questions we have about SEI and the changes happening next year for MLL students.
Did you know that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO has constituency groups to ensure the voices of historically marginalized groups are heard in the labor movement and have an ability to shape union policies? APRI and CBTU represent Black union workers, APALA represents AAPI workers, LCLAA represents Latinx workers, while Pride at Work and MARA represent LGBTQ + and retired union workers, respectively. We are hosting a constituency holiday party next Monday and encourage you to join to learn more about these groups, their advocacy and their missions. See the flyer above for more details.
Don’t forget! If you are searching for gift ideas, we have another batch of Bruins tickets for Monday, January 15 (MLK Day) at 1p.m. available to purchase at a discount through the BTU. Details are available below. Contact Michelle Frank (mfrank@btu.org) for any questions!
Join the BTU and AFT-MA for an informational session on how you can reduce your monthly student loan payments.
BTU Events and Announcements
NEW- BPS Paraprofessionals Technology PD Series: DATE CHANGE to January 22
Join this session to develop a basic understanding of BPS technology systems to be effective in the classroom and in schools with students. This tech training session aims to familiarize beginners with the fundamentals of basic navigation and the Google suite, and for those with more experience, a higher level look at these systems. The session runs from 5-7 p.m.
Get to Know Your Contract For Autonomous Schools: December 5
This forum covers everything you need to know about Election to Work Agreements (EWAs), Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and what it takes to improve working conditions at autonomous schools (pilot, innovation, charter, turnaround, receivership). Register for the Zoom link at bit.ly/BTUwws24. The event runs from 4:30-6:00.
Artifact Lounge (Virtual & in Person): First Session Today!
Do you want to put your best foot forward with powerful artifacts for your upcoming formative and summative evaluations? The Educator Supports Program’s Consulting Teachers cordially invite you to the Artifact Lounge! These sessions are where educators can receive direct support and guidance for all aspects of the artifact process. Sessions run from 5 to 7 p.m. on zoom on December 5 through 7 and in person at the BTU Hall on the 12th and 13th. Schedule a 30 minute session today!
Student Debt Clinic: December 6
The BTU is hosting an informational session along with AFT-MA on how you can manage the financial stress of student loan payments. Learn about Public Service Loan Forgiveness and income-based payment plans. Join us at 4:30 or register for a zoom link
School Site Council Budget training: December 11
This session focuses on the important role of the SSC in developing and approving the school’s budget. Participants will learn about the BPS weighted student funding budget process with a member of the BPS Budget Office as Facilitator of the workshop. Folks will also gain experience with building consensus. Register here
NEW- Constituency Holiday Party: December 11
Join us at the BTU to celebrate the holidays with our sibling union organizations. Network with fellow members of the AFL-CIO, including APALA, LCLAA and the APRI among others. Check out the flyer at the end of this email, and contact nmoore@btu.org to reserve a spot.
NEW- Unafraid Educators Winter Social: DATE CHANGE to December 20
Please join us on December 20th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. for our winter social at Long Live Brewery in Roxbury. Learn more about the Unafraid Educators and support the Unafraid Scholarship (a fund for undocumented students in BPS). We’ll provide dinner. Invite your friends and colleagues! https://bit.ly/UnafraidWinter
NEW-Kwanzaa Celebration at the BTU: December 18
Join us at our union hall at 180 Mt. Vernon Street to celebrate Kwanzaa, support black-owned businesses and hear a music performance from BPS students! The celebration runs from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. In the spirit of Ujima (Collective Responsibility) donations for the St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children will be collected.
NEW- Children’s Holiday Party: December 28
It’s that time of year again! This year, our Children’s Holiday Party will be at the BTU on Thursday, December 28th from 12pm-2pm. We need volunteers to make this event just as spectacular as previous years. Sign up today!
Targeted Strategies of Successful Inclusion for Children with Disabilities
The Pyramid Model Consortium is presenting a four part series for teachers, paras and UPK educators. Each session will have a different presenter; Session 1 on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 is “Power of Peers”. You can find more information here
Bruins Tickets: January 15
The BTU has Bruins tickets available for the game against the New Jersey Devils at 1:00 P.M. on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The seats are in Balcony 320 section and are $120 per seat. You can email our admin assistant Michelle Frank for more information and direct your payment through our paypal
Fund for Teachers: Plan Your Dream Summer Learning Experience
It’s not too early to dream of summer! Fund for Teachers awards grants of $5000 for individuals and $10,000 for teams to design your own professional learning experience for Summer ’24 anywhere in the world. Designing your fellowship and writing the application requires time and planning, and the BTU is happy to offer you support, mentoring, and feedback to put your best foot forward! Learn more and begin your application today! Deadline is January 18th. Please contact Paul to be connected to a mentor.
The BTU Retired Teachers Chapter hosted a Holiday Jazz Brunch at Florian Hall yesterday where they collected presents for the Toys for Tots program. Pictured from Left to Right: RTC Chair Marilyn Marion, Anne-Marie Aducci, RTC Vice Chair Roslyn Avant, BTU Community Liaison Brenda Chaney, Mary Jo Murphy.
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
- Secondary Open Up Math Unit Virtual Previews
- Degree Completion
- 2 Day Substance Use Prevention Training
- National Board Certification Leader Team Seeks Leaders and Readers
- Connect & Share on “Explicit Writing Instruction K-12”: Dec 5
- Secondary Leadership Certificate in Critical & Equitable Literacy
- Artifact Lounge: Multiple in-person and virtual sessions in Dec.
- Fund for Teachers: Plan Your Dream Summer Learning Experience
Join us at our union hall at 180 Mt. Vernon Street on Dec. 18 to celebrate Kwanzaa, support black-owned businesses and hear a music performance from BPS students!
BTU in the News
Jozeph Zaremba, a recently retired BPS art teacher, is being honored at the MassArt Common Good Awards. These awards will celebrate the integration of arts and culture in civic life, honoring those who push boundaries in advocacy, teaching, placemaking, and creation, emphasizing the arts’ public influence on problem-solving and quality of life. Register for a seat before Saturday December 16.
Community News & Events
Rally at City Hall Advocating for Equity and Accountability: December 5
Our education justice partners are holding a rally outside of City Hall at 4:30 p.m. to hold city officials accountable regarding educational equity, the Green New Deal (GND), and the urgent need for a comprehensive facilities plan. A City Council hearing on the relocation of the John D. O’Bryant school is scheduled at 6:00 p.m. Learn more here.
BPS Wellness While You Work Series: Next Session on December 6th, 4 – 5pm
Interested in promoting staff wellness at your school? Join us each month to learn about various aspects of staff wellness; share & discuss best practices, ideas, and experiences with other school staff; and plan next steps. The December session will focus on Staff Morale Pals & other Peer-to-Peer activities.
NEW- Grand Canyon University Information Session: December 7
A representative from Grand Canyon University will begin holding informational sessions about the online degree programs the University offers. The university offers a 10 percent discount to all BPS employees. The sessions run from 4 to 5 p.m. through the end of January.
NEW- Educators Lead Boston Social: December 8
Hosted by The Office of Educator Development & Leadership, this is a social for all BPS educators to connect. Participants and educator leaders of the office’s program will also be there to talk about the various leadership programs we have for current educators. We’ll be at District 7 Tavern in Roxbury. Food will be provided and there is a cash bar for drink purchases. RSVP here! Reach out to Randyl Wilkerson with any questions at rwilkerson@bostonpublicschools.org.
NEW- Teacher Appreciation Breakfast hosted by Playmaker Project: December 9
This free event at the Shelbourne Community Center in Roxbury honors the efforts and impact teachers have in childhood development. You can learn more about the event and the organization here.
NEW– Scholarship Opportunity for Graduating Students
The Fidelity Scholars Program provides access to education and ongoing support to historically underserved and underrepresented students who want to attend four-year, two-year and certificate academic programs. The deadline to apply is January 11th.
