Membership Meeting Tomorrow, State of the City Demonstration March 19th

The BTU negotiating team and BPS management met for a 9 hour bargaining session Monday and are planning to reconvene this Thursday, March 13th at the BTU Hall. We hope to reach a contract agreement soon. If we aren’t able to, then we need to show our unity and determination where BPS and City Hall will hear us loud and clear: the annual State of the City Address. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19 at MGM Music Hall in the Fenway. If we have not reached a Tentative Agreement by then, we are calling on all members to rally together outside of the MGM Hall from 6 to 8pm.

• ALL MEMBERS: Complete and return a commitment card to your Building Rep before Wednesday’s membership meeting, if you haven’t already done so. We will also be holding an All-Hands On Deck virtual meeting on Sunday, March 16th from 7:00-7:30 PM to provide all the details members need to know about the status of negotiations and what it will take to reach an agreement, including plans for our demonstration outside of the State of the City Address. Please register here and you’ll receive a zoom meeting link in the coming days.
• BUILDING REPS: Return all completed commitment cards to the BTU at this Wednesday’s membership meeting.
• On March 19 we will have buses leaving from three different locations to MGM Music Hall. If you are interested in taking a bus please see details and fill out the form here.
• If you are interested in playing a volunteer or marshal role, please register here.

Last week, Mayor Wu testified before the House Oversight Committee. We commend the Mayor for her leadership and resilience. That partisan attack against those democratic mayors and the autonomy of local governance is yet another reminder that this current Congressional majority and Administration are more committed to being adversaries than partners when it comes to assisting citizens.

We need to come together as a city to protect our kids, our neighbors and our future. It is past time that we end this protracted contract negotiation process with BPS management and codify the supports that our students and educators need before the Trump Administration’s next destructive decision. The BTU is eager to put aside our differences, settle a fair contract and work together without distraction to combat the targeted harm emanating from Washington D.C.

That is why we need ALL BTU members to join us for this demonstration on March 19. BTU officers and our organizing team will be providing more in-depth details at the monthly membership meeting scheduled for TOMORROW from 4:30 to 6:30. Please let us know if you require childcare during the meeting.

Negotiation Updates:

While there are multiple areas where details still need to be finalized, the two remaining core issues continue to be inclusion and wages. While we have seen some movement on our priority issue of Inclusion Done Right, the district has refused to budge on their wage proposal of a 2% general wage increase and an additional $2 per hour in the last two years of the contract for paraprofessionals.

The BTU negotiating team met with management on Thursday, March 6th and Monday, March 10th. BPS has made it clear it will not increase its wage proposal unless the BTU makes considerable concessions. Management wants the ability to require employees on a medical leave to get a second opinion from a doctor of the district’s choosing, and to require staff to return to work before Labor Day and also work an additional two days each school year.

We are back at the bargaining table with the district this Thursday, March 14th. We are expecting the district to provide a comprehensive wage package proposal on the table! We strongly encourage members to attend this session to hear for themselves what the district is trying to leverage in exchange for percentage changes on wages.

Again, this is why it is pivotal for as many BTU members, families, colleagues and collaborators to come together and use our collective voice at the rally on March 19th to capture the City’s attention and emphasize the long-term benefits of an equitable contract resolution.

We encourage our members to check out our video summaries of these bargaining sessions which we have been publishing following each negotiation session on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Family2Family Recap & Professional Resources

We would also like to wish everyone a Happy belated International Women’s Day! We encourage you to check out a collection of resources and lesson plans compiled by AFT’s ShareMyLesson which highlight women who have broken barriers throughout history.

We want to thank our coalition partners for their collaboration in organizing the Family2Family Conference this past weekend. BPS students, families and BTU educators were able to come together for community building, informative workshops and strategy building so families can be the best possible advocates for their families.

A Message from the BTU Election Committee:

Get your signatures in, nominations are closing on the 12th! Online nominations will close at 6pm. Paper nominations will be collected at the monthly membership meeting from 4-6 or until the end of the meeting. Signatures will be verified by the 13th, candidates will be informed via email following verification. Once you receive notification of candidacy, please respond to the email within 24 hours if you would like your name to appear on the ballot differently than how it appears on the portal or in the nomination email.

Candidates will have multiple opportunities to share information with membership. More details will be available after nominations.

• Candidate zoom April 2 for RTC, E Board and Para Council. Statements limited to 2 minutes.
• 2 minute videos to be posted on portal –  due to election committee by April 7

Candidates will also have the opportunity to share statements in the BTU newspaper. Submissions are due March 17. Please turn in your statements to Brendan Deady bdeady@btu.org and Anne Slater aslater@btu.org

• 400 words for President; Executive Vice President; Secretary Treasure; Elementary, Secondary and Para/Sub/ABA field reps; Political Director
• 300 words for E Board, Retired Teachers Chapter and Para Council

All Election Committee resources are HERE. Candidates should review the Election Committee Campaigning Rules and Procedures.

You may contact ombudsperson Danielle Fraine with questions or concerns at electioncommittee@btu.org. Next meeting is March 24th at 5:00 pm at the BTU. Members are welcome to attend and ask questions during the first 15 minutes of the meetings. Contact mfrank@btu.org with any questions about your membership status.

BTU Events and Announcements

Future Steminist Convention: Application Deadline TODAY

Join us on March 19th for the 4th Annual Future Steminist Convention, an empowering day designed to inspire young women through hands-on activities, building lasting relationships, and sparking curiosity! We’re opening up spots for only 200 students to attend, so don’t wait – sign up today!

Stand Up for Migrant Fishing Workers’ Rights: March 17th at 4:30pm

Please join us on March 17 in front of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center to show solidarity with fishing workers from Taiwan and elsewhere who face dangerous and abusive conditions and to commemorate those lost at sea.

Flyer attached.

BPS Educators of Color peer Mentoring: Begins March 17th

The Telescope Network has offered to facilitate a mentoring space for EOC Paraprofessionals as part of their larger work! The pilot mentoring program would start March 17th. Telescope will facilitate affinity group spaces where EOC mentees can explore strategies to navigate the unique challenges of being an educator of color. Together, you will reflect on how the intersections of identity can foster culturally sustaining practices that empower both educators and students. RSVP here

Retirement Planning Seminar for Teachers and Paraprofessionals: Thursday, March 20, 2025 at the BTU Hall from 4:30-6:30pm

Is it time to finally retire? How much do I have in my pension account at this point? Can I retire before getting my 80%? Is it worth waiting? Please join us to get some of these questions answered at the Retirement Planning Seminar for both Teachers and Paraprofessionals!

Boston Arts Academy Student Performance: March 20-22nd

BAA Students present: Pippin the Musical. Please show your support for our BAA students by purchasing tickets to one of their shows! Grab your tickets here!

March 22nd Women’s Rights Committee Glass Ceiling Awards Brunch

The BTU’s Women’s Rights Committee is hosting its annual Glass Ceiling Awards where it will honor Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and journalist Latoyia Edwards. The event is from 12 to 2 at the BTU Hall, please register if you plan to attend

Join AFT Massachusetts and the Boston Teachers Union on Saturday, March 29, 2025  for the Para/PSRP Conference! This year’s conference is centered around us Moving Forward Together. Register to attend here!

BTU Dependent Scholarships: Deadline April 4th

This year there will be 16 scholarships in the amount of $2,000 awarded to high school seniors who are dependents of BTU members. To apply, please obtain an application from Michelle Frank at mfrank@btu.org or download the application from the BTU FAQ page under the “Other Benefits” drop-down section.

Retired Teacher Chapter Scholarships: Deadline April 4th

Each year the Retired Teachers Chapter of the Boston Teachers Union awards three scholarships in the amount of $2,000 to deserving high school seniors who are children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces or grandnephews of RTC members. One of these scholarships is earmarked for a student who chooses to attend a vocational school or equivalent institution. To apply, please obtain an application from Michelle Frank at mfrank@btu.org or download the application from the BTU FAQ page under the “Other Benefits” drop-down section.

The Bilingual Educator/Accelerated Community to Teacher Program open now to April 11th

The Bilingual Educator/Accelerated Community to Teacher Program (BE/ACTT) is a no-cost, in-district, multigenerational, community-based teacher preparation program. We encourage BPS paras and substitutes who wish to become teachers to apply! SY25-26 Applications are now live! Contact Ivelisse Santos-Hicks with questions: santoshicks@bostonpublicshools.org

FREE BPS Licensure Program – Applications due Apr 11

We are currently accepting applications for the BPS Teaching Fellowship, which is a free, one-year educator preparation program designed for teachers on waivers, emergency license, or provisional license to get initial licensure in either ESL or Moderate Disabilities (note: this would also allow for initial licensure in your subject area pending any other requirements from DESE). Deadline is April 11, 2025; more info and application found here: https://www.teachboston.org/bpsteachingfellowship

The Teacher Leadership Fund: What challenge do you want to solve?

Grants of up to $15,000 are available for teams of educators who want to work together to create solutions to challenges that impact our students. Grantee teams also benefit from working in community with other educators across the district and receiving support throughout project implementation. For complete information about the program including application and guidelines, bit.ly/TLFund2025. Info at bit.ly/bpsbtutlfund Early application deadline, April 1st.

AFT Teach Conference 2025: Go to D.C. with the BTU! April 11 Deadline

Join the BTU’s delegation to TEACH, our national union’s biannual professional development conference. Join thousands of educators from across the country to learn about professional issues, policy challenges, and classroom strategies. Members of the BTU’s delegation receive conference registration, shared hotel room in Washington, D.C. and reimbursement for travel. The BTU will select up to 40 members to attend, with priority given to members who have not attended in the past. For more information see the conference website. Apply Today!

Join the BTU Co-ed Softball League! Applications due by April 1st

The BTU Co-ed Softball League will begin it’s 2025 season this coming April. Teams play one or two games a week from early April until late June. Games are played on Mondays through Fridays at fields in South Boston or West Roxbury. If your school can’t field a full team, staff members who are interested in playing can be assigned to another team. If you are interested in participating in the upcoming season please contact Softball League Commissioner, Bruce Collotta, at brucecollotta@yahoo.com

Save the dates! Earth Month/Climate Week of Action April 28-May 1

The BTU Climate Justice Committee is calling for a week of action, April 28- May 1. With the climate science deniers now in ascendancy in the federal government, it is critical our students learn the truth about climate change and feel empowered to act to save our planet. Sign up here for more information. And check out this link for an April daily calendar of climate related topics for all grades.

Educator Night at the Red Sox: May 16th

We have tickets for sale to the Red Sox vs the Braves at Fenway park on May 16th at 7:10pm. Tickets are in the Right Field Grand Stand, Section 3, price is $55.00 each. There is a free Quarter Zip with each ticket purchased to be picked up at the park the night of the game. You can fill out the form and a PayPal link will be forwarded to pay for your tickets. Tickets are not guaranteed until Payment is received. Feel free to reach out to Michelle at the office or mfrank@btu.org with questions or concerns!

Support BTU Member’s Doctoral Research

BTU member Chantei Alves, as part of her Doctoral research, is surveying current MA educators to get their perspective on their teacher preparation program exposure to literacy instruction, as well as their current Science of Reading knowledge. The anonymous survey should take around 5 minutes to complete. Respondents can opt in to a confidential gift card raffle to be held in July.

Support BTU Member in need

BTU member Barry Shea is in need of support following a severe car accident which resulted in an extended stay in the ICU. Barry and will be unable to work for some time. His family would appreciate any support you can offer. Please donate here.

Connecting Cape Verdean BTU members

The BTU is looking to create a database of Cape Verdean educators so we can unite around advocacy for our Cape Verdean students and community. Please share your contact information in this form if you identify as a CV Educator! Thank you!

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.

• Critical Disciplinary Literacy ALC course, 2/3-3/17, Mondays 4-6pm, Zoom.
• Connect & Share Sessions on “Access to Fishtank for Multilingual Learners”

• Telescope Network Learning Site – Building Oral Language in Early Childhood Classrooms: March 21
• Telescope Learning Site: Building Communication through Literacy in Early Childhood Sub Separate Classrooms (ABA): March 12 or March 13
• Telescope Math Sub Separate Learning Cohort: March 20, 4:30-6:30pm
• Multilingual Learners Math Learning Site
• Spanish for BPS Educators: Intermediate Level – Feb. 25 – April 8, 2025
• Building Independence and Agency in a Productive Learning Environment Learning Site
• Climate Change in the City: Place-based Science in Boston Harbor
• “Witnessing Black America through the Art of John Wilson” Educator Workshop Thursday, April 10, 4:30-6:30pm; MFA Boston; Free
• BU Wheelock Forum, Thriving in the Middle School Years March 27-28

Community Events

Sing for Justice with BVOCAL! Boston Voices of Community and Labor: Rehearsals March 1st & March 12th

Social justice movements are stronger – more joyful, more resilient, and more powerful – when they sing. BVOCAL is a new protest chorus committed to uplifting our rallies, marches, and pickets lines with singing. Attend occasional rehearsals to learn the songs, then show up for actions when you are able. ALL voices welcome! Sign up here. More information here.

Friends of the Boston Schoolyards Newsletter

The Friends of the Boston School Yards (FOTBS) is a volunteer organization whose mission is to advocate for and support outdoor teaching and learning for all Boston Public School students as an integral part of the curriculum, and to support the development and maintenance of schoolyards as vital public spaces throughout the City of Boston. Please check out the FOTBS website for more information and the opportunity to sign up for the FOTBS Newsletter.