Community News & Events: January 12, 2021

NEW- Abolitionist Teaching: TODAY, January 12
Join Nellie Mae for the first in their new Ed Equity Talks series, featuring Dr. Bettina Love and Dr. Brandelyn Tosolt of The Abolitionist Teaching Network! What might freedom in public schooling look like? Bettina Love’s concept of abolitionist teaching seeks to bring love to the center of learning, as well as bring together educators with parents, students, and community to create schools rooted in social justice.

NEW- Sign the Petition: Prioritize Signing SLBBR Into Law
The Student Loan Borrower’s Bill of Rights (SLBBR) is common sense legislation that would create a new office within the MA Attorney General’s office tasked with investigating complaints from individuals about their student loan servicers and require student loan servicers operating in MA to follow basic consumer protection laws. The Economic Development Bill is being sent to Governor Baker’s desk and if signed, student borrowers will be given the basic consumer protections we deserve. Please sign and share our petition to Governor Baker urging him to prioritize signing the SLBBR into law!

Teacher’s Backpack
Teacher’s Backpack is a non-profit organization that was created as a way of giving back to teachers for all they do each day. This organization supports teachers at NO COST. They offer weekly Teacher of the Week shout outs, mindfulness opportunities and they just started sending out backpacks filled with goodies for educators all over the world. You can visit and support this organization’s mission here. 

Child Care Strategies for a Just Recovery
With many public schools shifting fully online and limited spots available in child care programs, many working parents are struggling to find care for their children. However, a recent policy change from the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) may offer some support for parents who are not working because they need to care for a child or supervise remote learning. A brief summary of the policy can be found here to help parents navigate these changes. 

Mutual Aid for Hungry Union Members
Local 26 has been raising funds to distribute grocery store gift cards to laid-off workers, but at this point, the amount of need is so great that we have a waiting list of over 650 union members who have applied for and not yet been able to receive a grocery store card. The UNITE HERE Support and Education fund is a 501c(3), and donations will go to buy grocery store cards for hospitality workers. The link to donate is here.

Virtual Bullying Prevention PD: January 26, 4:00-6:00PM
Succeed Boston @ the Counseling Intervention Center is offering a Virtual Bullying Prevention PD on January 26th from 4:00PM-6:00PM for paraprofessionals and substitutes. In this PD, we will review the definition of bullying and its types and modes. We will cover cyberbullying & social media and biased based bullying as well as how to report & investigate bullying in the BPS School District.  Please click HERE to sign up.

Substance Use and Misuse Seminar
Succeed Boston @ the Counseling & Intervention Center is excited to announce the opportunity for BPS STAFF to learn more about substance use and misuse, as well as providing a virtual circle of care experiences. To sign up for both of these events, please visit TeachPoint. Workshops and the upcoming dates as well as themes can be found here.