Published On: October 8, 2024
Dear Member,

The season is changing but our focus is not. The BTU and the district have agreed to meet for an additional bargaining session TONIGHT, Oct. 8 at 5pm at the BTU Hall. The BTU agreed to this session because some of the individuals who determine Inclusive Education policy in the district will be attending. We understand that this is short notice, but we encourage you
to attend (register beforehand) to witness first-hand how we are fighting to address one of the most critical issues which confronts this city’s school system: ensuring that all students, especially students with disabilities and multilingual learners, receive the instructional support they deserve. The BTU remains steadfast in its belief that students will continue to be shortchanged if the district continues to force general education teachers to obtain multiple licenses so they can provide the individual specialized instructional minutes to students that are required by an IEP. Our goal should be to provide the best education possible to Boston’s children, not check compliance boxes.

On that note, during last Thursday’s bargaining session with BPS, the BTU once again highlighted its proposal to codify class size and staffing protocols for ABA strand classrooms. Earlier this month, the district made a unilateral decision to increase the ABA class size limit to 11, and in some cases 12, students. The BTU has heard from members citywide about how this change has created safety concerns and negatively impacted an educator’s ability to ensure each child in these classrooms receives the attention they deserve and to which they are legally entitled. We have even received resignation letters from dedicated educators who could not conscientiously continue to contribute to a system that is failing both students and educators.

The district said it would take our proposal into consideration. The BTU negotiating team also pressed the issue of work hours and pay transparency. The district has countered with a proposal which would ensure all employees receive just their work schedule by November 1st. The BTU maintains its position that every employee should receive a clear explanation of hours, pay scale and responsibilities on the first day they report to work. Period.

Tonight will be our 22nd bargaining session. We all have been working under an expired contract for more than a month. Let’s show up in a big way to prove to the district that our commitment to securing a fair contract which uplifts students and supports educators will never waver.

We will cover the state of negotiations and our plans for contract actions at the membership meeting THIS WEDNESDAY, October 9th, at the BTU Hall from 4:30 to 6:30pm. If you are able to get there in time, join your BTU siblings for a stand-out along William J. Blvd. from 3:15 to 4:15pm ahead of the membership meeting to hold signs and pass out flyers to passersby to spread awareness about our contract campaign.

Elections: National and Local goals

The November 5th election is less than 30 days away. We all have to dig deep and do our part in the coming weeks to protect the future of democracy. On Sunday, October 6th, the BTU hosted Senator Elizabeth Warren’s campaign for a GOTV phone bank in support of her reelection and the Vice President Kamala Harris/ Governor Tim Walz ticket.

Thank you to Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Mayor Michelle Wu, City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and AFT MA President Jessica Tang for delivering rousing remarks which defined the stakes and provided a clear strategy to ensure that democracy lives beyond November 5th. Check out our social media accounts (X, Instagram, Facebook) for pictures and highlights of their speeches.
The labor community, especially teacher unions, cannot afford to be complacent in this election. We have the power and capacity to ensure that Kamala Harris and fellow AFT member Tim Walz will be the next stewards of our children’s future.

To get involved, check in with with our BTU Electoral Action Team or the AFT GOTV team.
The theme on Sunday was clear: take nothing for granted and embrace the idea that every goal must be won with hard work. That is the mentality we must adopt to make sure that Ballot Question 2 passes on November 5th. Question 2 would correct a decades-long ill-informed approach to public education of handcuffing a student’s future to their ability to pass a test.
Teachers and parents agree: one standardized test shouldn’t determine a child’s future. This November, we can vote for a ballot initiative that would replace the standardized MCAS test as a high school graduation requirement, and instead require students to demonstrate that they have mastered the state’s education standards, skills, and competencies through their schoolwork and teacher evaluations.

The BTU is hosting multiple phone banks in support of Question 2, so please reach out to the BEAT team or watch our social media accounts for opportunities to get involved. You can also find details about canvassing opportunities for this weekend in the section below.

Of course we could not close without congratulating our Family and Community Liaison Brenda Chaney for organizing another successful BTU contribution to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. This past Saturday, BTU members and supporters gathered for a walk along the Esplanade and raised thousands of dollars to support the American Cancer Society’s efforts to find a cure for breast cancer.

 

NEW-BTU Special Election Information

Ballots in the special election for Vice President were mailed out later than anticipated. This delay was caused by technical problems with the mailing house. As a result the deadline for receiving ballots has been extended to October 18th, at 4pm. The results of the election will be announced the evening of the 18th. Please mail back your ballot as soon as it is received. If you do not receive a mail-in ballot or need a replacement ballot, call the vendor hotline at (203)-403-8401. In person voting will be held at the BTU on October 16th from 8am to 6pm. Every member will need to show a photo ID to vote in person. You may email Michelle Frank (mfrank@btu.org) on the 16th to find out if your ballot was received. If for some reason your ballot has not been delivered please come vote in person!

Go to the BTU website under the elections tab to hear candidates Lea-Antionette Serena and Paul Christian introduce themselves. REMINDER THAT NEW MEMBERS WILL NOT RECEIVE A MAIL-IN BALLOT AND MUST VOTE IN PERSON.

Faculty Senates and other school based committees do not endorse in BTU elections.

Here are some Dos and Don’ts for members for all BTU internal elections:
You may contact ombudsmen Danielle Fraine with questions or concerns at electioncommittee@btu.org. Members are welcome to attend and ask questions at the start of election committee meetings. Next meeting is October 28 at 5 pm at the BTU. Contact mfrank@btu with any questions about your membership status.

 

 

BTU Members and their families posed for a photo at the finish line of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising event on the Esplanade this past Saturday.

 

BTU Events and Announcements
NEW-Stand Out for a New Contract!: TOMORROW Oct. 9th

We invite all available members to join us in a stand out on William J. Day Blvd. TOMORROW (10/9) before membership meeting, from 3:15 – 4:15pm. We’ll be outside of the BTU Hall chanting, holding signs, and distributing flyers to passersby to get the word out about our contract priorities.

NEW-YES On 2 canvassing opportunities: Oct. 12th & 13th The MTA has organized multiple canvassing drives in support of Ballot Question 2 for this upcoming weekend. You can register to volunteer for voter outreach in Jamaica Plain on Saturday or Sunday, Roslindale on Saturday, or the South End on Sunday. A student’s future shouldn’t be determined by a singe test score. Join us in the fight to remove MCAs as a graduation requirement.

Racial Justice Standing Committee Meetings: First Tuesday of each month. The Racial Justice Standing Committee will meet the first Tuesday of every month from 5-7pm. This year, the committee has set two goals: 1. to provide racial justice training for building representatives, and 2. to create a protocol for union members and building reps on how to address racial harm. If you are interested in joining us, or if you would like to receive updates about this work, please contact co-chairs Lea Serena (lserena@btu.org) or Paul Tritter (ptritter@btu.org).

 

Harvard Conant Fellowship Information Session: October 9th, 7-8 PM

This virtual event will provide an overview of degree programs and unique funding opportunities available to BTU members. Hear from Admissions and Financial Aid officers, as well as past recipients of the James Bryant Conant Fellowship, a competitive full-tuition award to support the professional growth of outstanding educators in BPS. Register Here.

Para 101 PD for newly hired paraprofessionals: Multiple sessions in October, November and December

Para 101 is about building a community of paraprofessionals who are knowledgeable about their rights and are aware of the support and strategies that they can use to build stronger relationships with students and teachers in the classroom. Please see this flyer for all of the dates and details.

Paraprofessional Informational Meeting and Resources Fair: October 10th Come join us at the BTU Hall on October 10th at 5pm for important information and great resource materials from colleges, MTEL support and more. Register here!
BTU Retirement Planning Seminar: October 25, 2024, 4:30-6:30pm

“When will I be able to Retire?” Find out by attending the BTU Retirement Planning Seminar on Friday, October 25, 2024. Trustees from the City of Boston Retirement Board and from Health Insurance and Social Security will also be in attendance. Register Here!

 

October Unafraid Educators Meeting: Monday, 10/28, 4:30-6PM

Please join us at Fenway High on October 28th at 4:30 for our next Unafraid Educators Meeting! We are the BTU’s Immigrant Rights Organizing Committee, and work to support our students and families. We’ll have pizza, salads, and snacks for everyone.

 

 

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
  • Degree Completion
  • Early Childhood Inclusive Education EdCamp: October 8, 5:30-7:00PM
  • Mentoring For Professional Licensure (Introductory Session Oct. 24th, 5:30-7:00)
  • Elementary Illustrative Math Learning Site: October 29, 10am-3pm
  • Teaching About Desegregation Busing in Boston: A Conversation About the 50th Anniversary with Educators
  • Harvard Conant Fellowship Info Sessions Virtual and In-person

Community News & Events

Urban League: Girls Empowerment Program Oct. 26th

The Urban League is co-sponsoring an event with the Northeastern University School of Law. It’s a great opportunity for middle school girls to get introduced to the practice of law and meet women attorneys of color. Please share this flyer and the registration link here: Determined to Rise Academy – Ms. JD (msjdorg.lpages.co)

Parent Power Workshop! Virtual, October 9th, 6pm

Calling all parents! The Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance (MEJA) invites you to a virtual workshop to learn more about the power that you hold in advocating for your childrens’ education! This is an opportunity for parents to come together to learn about the school system, and learn how to take action together. Please Register here

Ranked Choice Voting Hearing: Oct. 10 The Boston City Council hearing on Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is officially scheduled for October 10 at 10 AM. This hearing is pivotal to making Boston’s elections more inclusive, equitable, and representative. Register here

Right to Read Rally: October 19th, 10-11:30am

The rally for the ‘Right to Read’, protesting attempted book bans from across the country, on the plaza facing Copley Square in front of the BPL Central Library’s McKim Building. There will be a slate of speakers including from ACLU Massachusetts and BPL PSA union; a silent read-in, library card drive, voter registration and other activities.

Community Schools Virtual Forums: Limits & Possibilities of Education in an Unequal Society: Monday, Oct. 21, 4-5:30pm

A presentation with Dr. Pedro Noguera. Drawing upon research in poor communities in the U.S. and several other nations, this presentation will examine the work of community schools and the role of teachers in promoting agency and empowerment to counter oppressive conditions that often obstruct progress. More information here

Busing in Boston: A Conversation About the 50th Anniversary with Educators November 18 from 4:00-6:00

The Boston Desegregation and Busing Initiative is co-sponsoring this event with UMass Boston at the UMass Boston Campus Center, 3rd Floor Ballroom. This event is a part of a series dedicated to examining the history and impact of busing in Boston 50 years following Judge Garrity’s decision. Learn more at www.bostondesegregation.org

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