Snow Days and the Student School Year
We hope all of you are recovering from the snow, even as you prepare for more. Speaking of snow, there have been a few news reports suggesting that decisions have been made regarding the cancellation of some or all school vacations and/or weekends in order to satisfy the state requirement for a 180-day student school year. There have been no formal discussions one way or another on this topic. As of right now, there’s no need, calendar-wise, to make any changes. If and when there is a need, and the superintendent has a proposal to make, we will, of course, sit down and talk with the superintendent and her team about various options.
Unnecessary Excessing of Teachers from Pilot Schools & some Turnaround Schools
We have received a few phone calls about the unnecessary excessing of teachers from pilot schools (and a few Turnaround Schools). Here is a short version of the story behind this.
The excessing of teachers from any school is the formal process by which a school uses its budget projections to gauge how many of its current permanent teachers its budget can employ for the upcoming school year. The only variable in this yearly projection is the amount of money in its budget a school can expect from the school district. The school district knew on December 15 almost precisely how much each school would have in its budget for the upcoming school year. That was the day the school committee voted to close and and merge schools, thereby decreasing the budget gap by an apparent $10.3 million. There have been no other budgetary changes in the aggregate since that date. Nor were any expected.
Instead of sitting down immediately with school leaders and going through “probable organization meetings” as it traditionally does, the school department decided to implement a change in the way it budgets individual school allocations, using a new “student-weighted formula.”
The school department hoped to finish well in advance of the February 1 deadline. This turned out to be a severe miscalculation. But the school department told no one it was having difficulty in implementing the new approach. Instead it procrastinated and held off giving out any school-based budgetary information until yesterday, placing pilot school and turnaround school principals in a bind–a bind that can still be corrected over the next 48 hours.
We did sit down with the school department late last week to see if we could agree on an extension of the February 1 deadline. (The provision to decide to extend the deadline has been in place and mutually agreed upon since the spring of 2006 (pilot) and June 2010 (turnaround). The school district refused our offer.
As of right now, individual schools (pilot, traditional and turnaround) each know to a nearly-certain degree how much they will have in their respective school budgets for next year. There is no legitimate reason to unnecessarily excess staff or to keep “excess” staff in limbo.
Just about all teachers excessed from pilot schools will be returning to those same pilot schools as quickly as the school department wishes to return them. Any delay beyond this Wednesday or Thursday is unconscionable and irresponsible.
Anyone wishing to discuss their assignment rights please call Jenna, Caren or Michael at 617-288-2000.
Education in the News
Why Bipartisanism Isn’t Working for Education Reform
From Education Week:
“It’s not surprising that President Barack Obama focused heavily on both bipartisanism and education in his State of the Union address Tuesday night. Despite recent calls for civility following the shootings in Tucson, members of both parties in the divided 112th Congress have their gloves off on health care and immigration policy, with more contentious battles in the queue. Education reform, on the other hand, is one of the few policy areas in which we have seen growing political consensus. This has been good for the tenor of debate on Capitol Hill, but less so for the children in our public schools.
“Since 1989, when President George H.W. Bush and the nation’s governors (including Bill Clinton) held a national summit on educational goals and standards, the two major political parties have inched closer to agreement on K-12 education policy. Democratic lawmakers such as the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Rep. George Miller of California worked closely with President George W. Bush to pass the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which required states to regularly test students on their mastery of academic standards.
“Today, it is often difficult to distinguish Republicans from Democrats on key education issues.
Union News and Events
IRS BTU Dues Information, 2010
Teachers $1093.60
Paras $546.80
Mini Pension Fund
The reins of leadership of the $2.40 mini pension fund have been passed over to John McLaughlin; the mailing address is: Mini Pension Fund, P.O. Box 6246, Boston, MA 02114
BTU to Sponsor Community Engagement Meeting
There will be a Community Engagement Committee meeting at the BTU on February 8, 4-6 PM. Any one who is interested in becoming involved with community organizations of all types, including faith-based, are welcome to attend.
Questions? Email Brenda Chaney or call her at 617-288-2000.
Seminar on BTU Benefits
The seminar will be held on Thursday, February 3 from 4-6. Learn about the BTU contract’s sponsored benefits with Richard Stutman, BTU President, including:
* Tax-Sheltered Annuities (403B),
* The Deferred Compensation (457) Plan
* The Health and Welfare Fund
* Sick Leave
* Sick Leave Bank
* Leaves of Absences
* Health Insurance
* Life Insurance, Disability Insurance
* Retirement Planning
* Flexible Spending Plan
Please RSVP here so we can get a reasonable count. Thank you. Refreshments will be served.
BTU Elections Committee Notice: Biennial Elections Timeline
- February: Nomination of Election Committee at membership meeting (Anyone running for full-time office or Executive Board may not serve on the Election Committee.)
- March: Election Committee receives nomination papers from candidates for all positions at March membership meeting
- March: Nomination papers are validated by Election Committee
- May: 1st Wednesday: Preliminary Election (if necessary)
- June: 1st Wednesday – Final Election
Positions on Ballot:
Full-time:
President; Executive Vice-President; Secretary Treasurer; Political Director;Paraprofessional/Substitute Field Rep; Elementary Field Rep; Secondary Field Rep.
Other:
Executive Board
Para Council, Delegate to AFL-CIO, AFT, AFT Massachusetts and Greater Boston Labor Council
Zipcar Discount
The Boston Teachers Union does not endorse any particular company or service. However, on occasion, we do lend our name to an organization or company in ziporder to provide our members with a discount.
Many of our members have asked us to join Zipcar as a corporate sponsor, and we did so a few years ago. Our Zipcar-sponsored account is under the Boston Teacher’s Union, and saying those magic words entitles one to a modest discount. Again we make no endorsement of any product.
BTU scholarships
BTU Dependent Scholarships
This year there will be 16 scholarships in the amount of $1,000 awarded to high school seniors who are dependents of BTU members.
To apply, please obtain an application from Jeanne Turner in the Union office or download the form here and return with: (1) a transcript of the dependent’s last two years of academic work; (2) evidence of acceptance by an accredited college, junior college, vocational school or equivalent institution; (3) member’s notarized federal tax return for the year 2010; and 4) a one-page statement of the dependent’s professional goals.
The application and the four supporting documents must be received in the Union office no later than Wednesday, April 13, 2011. The recipients of the scholarships will be notified by May 18, 2011.
Retired Teachers Chapter Scholarships
Each year the Retired Teachers Chapter of the Boston Teachers Union awards three scholarships to deserving high school seniors who are children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews of RTC members. One of these scholarships is earmarked for a student who might choose to attend a vocational school or equivalent institution.
Applications for these scholarships my be picked up at the RTC/BTU offices at 180 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125 or they can be downloaded here. The deadline to apply is April 22, 2011.
Career & Training Opportunities
Partnership with the BTU and the New Teacher Development Program Promotes Sharing of Best Practices
Through a partnership with the Boston Teachers Union, the New Teacher Development Program provides new (first year) teachers the opportunity to observe exemplary classroom instruction.
During the winter and spring, all new teachers will have the opportunity to go out into the field with a full-time New Teacher Developer as part of small grade-level groups, to observe practice in exemplary teacher classrooms. The morning will be devoted to observations and the afternoon to debriefing and application of new thoughts and ideas for instruction. The New Teacher Development Program will be responsible for substitute coverage.
In order to qualify to participate you must:
1. Be a first year teacher
2. Complete the registration before February 1st
Once registered, a beginning teacher will be contacted shortly thereafter by a New Teacher Developer. Questions?
Stipends to Promote Wellness Activities in 40 Schools
Here is an opportunity opportunity for two teachers (or para, nurse, and so on) in 40 Boston Public Schools to receive $750 stipends to increase physical activity in their school.
There are three information sessions about Wellness Champions this week, at the Cleveland building February 1, the Higginson Lewis building on February 2, and the Lee School on February 3. All sessions run from 4 to 5.
For more information, please contact Shannon Peterson, Physical Activity Policy and Program Specialist via phone at 617-635-6643 x41254.
Pathway Program for Moderate Disabilities & ESL Licensure and Professional Practice
Information sessions for the winter/spring Moderate Disabilities Pathway Program will be held on Wednesday, January 26 and Monday, January 31. Registration is required and must be made on My Learning Plan. Information sessions for the winter/spring ESL Pathway Program will be held on Tuesday, January 25 and Thursday, January 27. Registration is required and must be made on My Learning Plan.
Both programs are intensive, 90-hour programs of professional development leading to licensure. The winter/spring cohort will start in March and end in June. In addition to the information sessions, more details can be found in the program brochure on MyBPS–>Central Admin–>HR – Licensure and Certification page. For more information concerning the program, please email.
International Trips
If any teacher would like support planning an international trip for students for this school year or the next (it is not too early to begin planning for next year!), please contact the school department’s Bethany Wood. This is a great opportunity for our members.
Take Action on Non-Public School Teaching Bill
The Non-Public Bill has been re-filed by Representative Cheryl A. Coakley-Rivera of Springfield. This bill would allow members who previously taught pupils or acted as an administrator in a nonpublic school prior to January 1, 1973 to be eligible to purchase this service for retirement purposes. Read the bill here.
Our very important Phase 1 job is to contact our Reps and Senators right away to encourage them to support this bill.
Upcoming Events
Fundraiser at East Boston HS:
Una Sera Italiana: An Italian Evening
The East Boston High School Italian Exchange Program invites you to experience “la dolce vita” at a fundraising dinner to support their upcoming trip to Rome and Sicily. Enjoy home cooked spaghetti, meatballs and Italian cookies; enter to win fabulous raffle prizes; bring your children to participate in fun games like “pin Sicily on the map of Italy” and get their face painted with the Italian flag!
The event will take place at Savio High School, (145 Byron Street, East Boston) on Saturday, February 12th from 5-8 pm. Tickets are $10 each, or $5 for children 12 and under.
All proceeds from the event will support the East Boston High School Italian Exchange program, which brought eleven students from Sicily to East Boston High School this past November, and will be sending twelve students from East Boston High School to Italy this March.
For questions or to make a donation, please contact Jessica Gorham Cronin: Checks can be made out to East Boston High School and sent to East Boston High School Italian Exchange; c/o Jessica Gorham Cronin; 86 White Street; East Boston, MA 02128.
Greater Boston Labor Council “Organizing Our Future” Conference
Union members 35 and under are urged to join us Saturday, February 26th as we ‘Organize Our Future’ to foster and develop the skills of young union members to lead the next generation within the labor movement.
Saturday, February 26, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Boston Teacher’s Union, 180 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester
This event is free. Childcare and ride-share coordination will be provided if needed.
Deadline for registration is Friday, February 18th. To register and/or for more information, contact Rosa Blumenfeld at 617.723.2370.
First Annual Irving Middle School Gala and Fundraiser
The Irving Middle School Staff and Parent Council, along with the Irving Advisory Group cordially invite you to the 1st Annual Irving Middle School Gala and Fundraiser. Please join us for hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, dancing, and auction!
DATE: March 18, 2011, 7pm – 11pm
LOCATIONL Citizen Schools Headquarters. 308 Congress Street, Boston (above the Children’s Museum)
DONATION: $25 per person
For further information or to purchase tickets, please contact: Sharon Maalouf or Nicole Secondi.
Members in the News
Bowling League Winning Team
The first half of the league has come to a conclusion with the team of Archie Walsh, Mary Walsh, Kathy Aldred, and Carolyn Cooney defeating the team of Ray Mortlock, Jillian Sceppa, Julie Minihane, and Nanci Flaherty for the first half champs. Congratulations!
The second half of the School Employee’s Bowling League continues on Mondays at Boston Bowl on Morrissey Blvd. in Dorchester at 3:45 PM. There are cash prizes and a bowling banquet in June. Please plan to join us! All levels of bowlers are welcome. Contact Sandy or Judy at 781-961-5450.
Edwards’s Teachers Featured in AFT Magazine
Three of our members “ Ted Chambers, Kevin Qazilbash and Tracy Young “ all teachers at the Edwards Middle School were featured on the front cover of the American Teacher’s February 2011 edition, which is being delivered to your homes now. The cover story highlights the AFT innovation grant the Edwards teachers received. Congratulations go to the Edwards’s teachers.
The Edwards school, incidentally, is one often cited for being innovative and reform-driven. We agree. And we are proud that all of the reforms and all of the innovations have come through a joint effort of teachers and the administration through collective bargaining. For example, the extended day at the Edwards, which is compensable, resulted from a collective bargaining agreement.
In today’s climate, the superintendent and others are trying to impose an extended day without compensation. That’s their innovation – to get the extra time without the additional compensation. We prefer to do it in a mutually respectful way, through collective bargaining.
Teacher Allison Doherty La-Casse appointed by AFT to the AFL-CIO’s Young Worker Advisory Council
West Roxbury teacher Allison Doherty La-Casse, the chair of the Greater Boston Labor Council’s ‘Futures Committee, has been appointed by the American Federation of Teachers to the AFL-CIO’s Young Worker Advisory Council. She is the AFL-CIO’s only appointee to this body.
Congratulations, Allison. Allison also serves on the BTU’s executive board.
Become a Basic Literacy or ESOL Tutor
Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts invites prospective volunteers to one of our informational orientations held February 9, March 7, April 13, May 5, and June 15 from 6-8 PM in downtown Boston.
Volunteer tutors work one-to-one with students for 2-hours per week for a minimum of 9 to 12 months at mutually convenient times in public places. LVM trains volunteers to tutor adult learners in either Basic Literacy or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). LVM volunteers help adults acquire the literacy and English language skills that empower them to realize their goals.
For more information, visit or call 617-367-1313.
The BTU Online
Visit the BTU website at www.btu.org.
Sign up for our e-bulletin. Those who sign up are joining a protected list, which will be used for the purpose of sending these e-bulletins only. The list will not be used for any other purpose.
Sincerely,
Richard Stutman
President
Boston Teachers Union
rstutman@btu.org
617-288-2000