Primary on September 1st!!!

Primary elections are three weeks from today on September 1st, and the BTU has endorsed Senator Ed Markey for re-election in the Democratic primary, along with challenger Patrick Roath in the 8th Congressional District and a number of other state legislative candidates. However, you don’t actually have to wait until September 1st to vote for one of the BTU’s endorsed candidates. The City of Boston’s election department will soon release the exact locations and times for its August 22nd-28th early voting period. If you’re not a Boston resident, check with your local municipal government for details on early voting.

Every voter also has the option to submit a mail-in ballot anytime between now and primary day as long as your ballot reaches your local election department by the close of polls on Primary Day. Not sure about your voter registration status? You can check state records here.

Our membership made these endorsements in order to improve working conditions for our members and learning conditions for our students. We hope that you join your fellow members in casting a ballot for a better future for our schools.

If we want our nation and our state to chart a better course than the past year, we need to put in the work together. If you want to support our endorsed candidates this summer, please sign up for our BTU Electoral Action Team (BEAT) and look out for opportunities to volunteer.

Boston City Council Recognizes Retiring Educators

The Boston City Council welcomed more than 30 retiring Boston Public Schools educators to the council chamber on Wednesday, Aug. 5th to celebrate their dedication to generations of Boston students. It so happened that one of those students is currently serving on the City Council. The event reconnected City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune with her 11th grade English teacher Mr. Kamissa Barry who just retired from teaching at Boston Latin School!

Governor Healey signs PROTECT Act

On Wednesday, August 5th, BTU President Erik Berg and AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang joined community partners, state lawmakers and Governor Healey to celebrate the passage of the PROTECT Act. The legislation bans federal immigration officers from entering “sensitive areas”– such as courthouses, hospitals and schools– to detain a person unless they have a warrant. By passing this bill, Governor Healey and the state legislature have provided concrete guidance and support to people who have been forced into chaotic situations while trying to protect our most vulnerable neighbors during this immigration crackdown,

Please join us in thanking the state legislature’s Black and Latino Caucus for first introducing this bill and centering the needs of our communities throughout the whole process. And of course, thank you to the BTU’s Unafraid Educator Committee for their persistent advocacy to ensure that this important legislation was signed into law.

Block off some space on your calendar now for one of our favorite events of each year: the BTU Back to School Book Fair! For the past 12 years, the BTU has welcomed students, parents, and educators to our union hall to pick up free books, connect with local community organizations, and enjoy a day full of free games, food and inflatable entertainment. All BTU members can take up to 25 books!!! Over the past 12 years, the BTU in partnership with AFT national and AFT MA has donated more than 400,000 books to local students, families, and schools.

This is one of our biggest public events each year and we rely on the generous support of volunteers to make it happen. If you’d like to help prepare for the event or assist day-of, check out our landing page for this year’s fair!

The New Educator Institute begins one week from today on August 18th and runs through August 20th. The annual three-day orientation for new BPS employees presents an important opportunity for the BTU to highlight our work in our schools and communities, begin building relationships, and register new members before the start of the year. It’s important work that requires a lot of team effort and it’s also a fun time. If you’re available on any of these days and would like to lend a hand, we are still welcoming volunteers! Please fill out this form if you’re interested and a member of our organizing team will be in touch.

BTU Events and Announcements

Now Hiring: Peer Mediators for BTU’s New Racial Harm Response Program

The BTU is seeking members (active and retired) to serve as mediators in our upcoming Racial Harm Response Program. This program has been designed by our Racial Justice Standing Committee in order to establish a clear, fair, and humane process for responding to incidents of racial harm occurring between or among members within the workplace, in BTU spaces, or in connection with BTU-related activities. In order to serve as a mediator members must participate in and successfully complete up to 40 hours of training provided by The Mediation Group.

Sunday, October 4th (full day)

Saturday and Sunday October 24th and 25th (full days)

Sunday, November 8th (full day)

Additional asynchronous work.

For full details of the role, training requirements, compensation, see the full posting and apply here if interested. Applicants will be accepted into the training on a rolling basis, and we strongly encourage you to apply ASAP. Contact Lea Serena and/or Paul Tritter with questions or for more information.

Paraprofessional Professional Development Opportunities Sept 2nd or Sept 3rd at the BTU Hall @1pm

This course is designed for paraprofessionals and second teachers working with early years students from Pre-K through Grade 2. Participants will explore the six pillars of foundational literacy through the components of the Focus curriculum, gaining practical strategies to support young learners’ language and literacy development. Register for either session here

Paraprofessional Professional Development Opportunities on Safety Care: Initial Course on & Recertification Course September 2nd-3rd

The Initial Course is for those who have never taken Safety Care or whose certification has expired. This is a two-day training and is competency based. You must attend the entirety of both days to be certified. While the end times are listed, we cannot conclude the class until all class members have completed the course.

Recertifications are for those who have taken Safety Care within the last 15 months. It is a one day training and you must attend the entirety of it.  While the end time is listed, we cannot conclude the class until all class members have completed the course.

Date: Thursday 9/3/2026 from 8 am – 4 pm

Here is the link to register.

Immigrant Students Experiencing Homelessness Webinar: September 15, 4:00-5:00 PM

When students face housing insecurity, schools can be a critical source of stability and support. Join us on Tuesday, September 15 from 4:00–5:00 PM ET for a free webinar featuring SchoolHouse Connection to learn about immigrant students’ educational rights under the McKinney-Vento Act, practical strategies for reducing barriers to school success and how to collaborate with school district homeless liaisons to connect students and families with resources. Register here.

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.

In Memoriam

Renee Simmons, a BTU member who dedicated 29 years of service to Boston Public Schools system, passed away in April of 2025. In honor of her life and the legacy she leaves behind, her family, friends, and many of the young people she inspired have established a scholarship in her name.

The inaugural Renee Simmons Scholarship Gala is scheduled for October 10th from 6 to 9pm at the Thelma Burns Building in Roxbury. For more details and a link to register, please see the flyer below.

Thank You for Reading

Please send your comments and questions to us at [email protected], or call the BTU at 617-288-2000.