Join us Oct. 15 – Oct. 21 to advocate for SAFE SCHOOLS.

THURSDAY: SHARE

Take photos of yourself with these signs: “Safe Schools Mean…” and “I’m taking action with the BTU because…”. Send them to photos@btu.org and post with hashtag #SafetyFirstBPS
*Remember, don’t post during school hours except during your lunch break

FRIDAY: ADVOCATE

Call Mayor Marty Walsh at 311 and the Boston Public Health Commission at (617) 534-5395 to ask them how they determine school safety while COVID rates are above 4%. Demand they work the BTU to plan to safely teach HIPP students. Email BPHC at info@bphc.org

Sample phone script and email:

311 Call:

Good afternoon, I am calling to speak to Mayor Marty Walsh.  My name is ________ and I am a teacher (or put in your role: para, substitute, nurse, related service provider, social worker, parent, student, etc) at the _____ School in ________ (neighborhood).

I am calling to voice my concern that the Mayor and his appointees at the School Committee and the Public Health Commission are continuing to send students and educators into unsafe buildings after COVID rates have risen to unsafe levels citywide and especially in the neighborhoods where most of our students live (Dorchester, Mattapan, East Boston, Hyde Park, etc). Please honor the agreement with the BTU and ensure that all of our children have safe spaces to learn in.

BPHC Call:

Good afternoon, I am calling to speak to your Executive Director, Rita Nieves.  My name is ________ and I am a teacher (or put in your role: para, substitute, nurse, related service provider, social worker, parent, student, etc) at the _____ School in ________ (neighborhood).

I am calling to inquire about how the BPHC made a determination that our schools were safe to remain open while the rates in many of our neighborhoods have soared over 4%. We know that positive rates have already been confirmed within BPS.  What data did you reference or school site research did you all conduct before you sent a letter to the mayor last week deeming our schools safe?  (insert school specific example) Have you done an assessment on the classroom temperature levels, to deem if the classrooms are ideal learning environments for our students? I would appreciate a call back as a city employee.

Some examples of unsafe conditions you might share if they apply to you:

• Cold classrooms
• Inadequate bathroom facilities
• Lack of ventilation
• Unsafe bus conditions
• Unsafe lunch/ recess conditions
• Lack of PPE
• Problems with simultaneous remote and in-person instruction
• Inadequate classroom spacing
• Lack of physical barriers (plexiglas, etc)
• Windows that don’t open

MONDAY: SIGN & SHARE

Sign the petition to Mayor Marty Walsh to demand that he honor the MOA language by transitioning to full remote learning and work with the BTU to create a plan that ensures high quality and safe instruction for HIPP students. Share with families, educators, staff, and community members at your school!

TUESDAY: EXPOSE

Send images of the unsafe conditions in BPS schools such as freezing classrooms, inadequate HVAC systems, lack of PPE, or lack of windows to photos@btu.org (include the school name, date and a caption) and on social media with #SafetyFirstBPS. Share the truth! Be sure pictures don’t include students’ faces.

Some examples of unsafe conditions you might share if they apply to you:

• Cold classrooms
• Inadequate bathroom facilities
• Lack of ventilation
• Unsafe bus conditions
• Unsafe lunch/ recess conditions
• Lack of PPE
• Problems with simultaneous remote and in-person instruction
• Inadequate classroom spacing
• Lack of physical barriers (plexiglas, etc)
• Windows that don’t open

WEDNESDAY: OCCUPY

RALLY & WORK REMOTELY at the BOLLING BUILDING. The Bolling Building is one of the most recently renovated buildings in the school district and is currently at 10% capacity, while schools host students and staff in unsafe conditions. Join the BTU and Families with PPE and be ready to work while physically distancing to demand HIPP students and staff receive safe spaces like this and better to work in. Register for the rally here.