TONIGHT- Telescope Trivia: January 11, 8:00-9:15PM
Schools are closed today but our monthly Telescope Trivia game is still on! Join tonight for a virtual team trivia game. Join on your own or bring a team. Come every month (2nd Tuesdays) or drop in when you can for some fun collaboration and light competition. Register now!
JET Program Information Session: January 12, 4:30-5:30PM
Join the JET Program Staff and learn about the JET Program. The virtual sessions will introduce you to the JET Program and the services it provides. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom meeting. You can also register for the February and March information sessions.
NEW- BTU Climate Justice Committee Meeting: January 13, 4:30PM
All are welcome and invited to attend the BTU Climate Justice Committee! Please register to receive the Zoom link. Learn about possible climate justice professional development opportunities as well as efforts to leverage new Federal monies to retrofit and create green, sustainable school buildings. Come and share your thoughts about the roles of educators and our union in creating just and sustainable responses to the climate crisis.
NEW- AFT Black Caucus Boston Chapter: January 15, 10:00AM
Join the AFT Black Caucus Boston Chapter meeting this Saturday at this Zoom link.
NEW- Haitian Educators Meeting: January 18, 5:00-6:30PM
Please contact Bianca Pierre for the Zoom link.
NEW- New Teacher Development PD: January 18 – 20
The NTD January PD will be held on Tuesday the 18th, Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th. NTDs should select which day and time to attend. The Zoom link can be found on the NTD Google Classroom, Google Calendar, and in the January Newsletter. Please contact Kaitlin Torossian with any questions.
NEW- Connect & Share Sessions on “Equitable Literacy”: Jan. 20 & Feb. 2
Join us on Zoom on January 20 (for grade 6-12) and February 2 (for grades K0-5) to hear from colleagues about what’s working in their classrooms and in their schools. Joinfor one or both sessions.
POSTPONED- Educators of Color Night
Educators of Color night at the BTU will be postponed until a future date. Please check future bulletins for further details!
BTU Administrative Assistant Position Open
The primary responsibilities of this role are providing administrative support to the BTU staff specifically the Political Director and Field Representatives as well as Executive Board and Committee members, anticipating needs and being self directed in an environment that can be fast paced and deadline driven. Full job description is available here.
NEW- Call to Action for R+/TARP
We are keeping the momentum going towards re-opening R+/TARP. Our newest call to action is both timely and important – timely because the legislative session is returning soon from the holiday break, important because it focuses on members of the Joint Committee on Public Service. JCPS is the committee that currently has HB4111 and held a hearing with public comment months ago. The JCPS is important and must be contacted because we need them to “report out HB4111 favorably.” Here’s a link to SENATE MEMBERS. Here’s a link to STATE REPRESENTATIVES. Attached is a list of all members of the JCPS. Use the links in this email to find their contact info and forward the R+ 1-Pager with a brief text from you about how important this is and to report HB4111 out favorably.
AFT National Convention Planning Committee
This is a call for committee members. The American Federation of Teachers National Convention will be held in Boston July 2022. As the host city, the BTU is forming a planning committee in conjunction with AFT-MA. If you would like to be part of the planning committee, please email Michael McLaughlin right away.
Important Dates for Paras: Staffing 2022
Paras should read this document for important dates, deadlines, and information for the coming year.
Circles of Support for BTU Members
Due to the strong response to our Veterans Day listening circles, the BTU is considering offering monthly support circles for members to help each other navigate the pandemic and the school year. Please complete this three-question survey if you would be interested in participating.
NEW- ACCESS Testing Window Extension
DESE announced that the ACCESS testing window has been extended through March 4, 2022. This will allow for more testing days and make-up testing time with many student absences. Please reach out to OEL via email for support.
2022 Unafraid Scholarship
Hundreds of immigrants from all over the world graduate from the Boston Public Schools each year, but many face a huge obstacle: if they’re undocumented, they don’t qualify for federal financial aid. The 2022 Unafraid Scholarship is now open to BPS undocumented seniors. Please share the application with your communities! Since its inception in 2017, the Unafraid Scholarship has awarded more than $280,000 to 105 deserving BPS graduates.
Build a Contract Action Team!
We’re getting organized at school sites to take action for our Contract Campaign! Build a Contract Action Team (CAT) at your school to enable rapid two-way communication of union actions. A CAT is like a phone tree and allows you to quickly reach every member at your school. See here for a step-by-step guide on how to get started, and let us knowwho your CAT leader is!
Early Childhood Mid-Year Assessment Window Supports
As a result of concerns and feedback raised by educators in administering assessments this fall, BPS has organized resources and supports for the second window this winter including limited availability of in-person support for testing administration. (Link accessible through BPS log-in only) Please share these with your early childhood colleagues and school administrators.
MFA Art Finders
Let us help you find art for your teaching! Tell us about an upcoming lesson (using a brief online form) and receive a customized slide deck with images from the Museum of Fine Arts collection. Art Finders centers narratives, creative voices, and perspectives that museums have historically suppressed. Slide decks are developed by small teams of volunteers working in partnership with MFA staff and a cohort of six K-12 educators serving as consultants to the initiative—including BTU members! Submit your request to Art Finders.
Individual Classroom Distance Learning from the MFA
Connect with a staff educator live from the MFA’s galleries through Individual Classroom Distance Learning. Free for BPS Schools. Program Topics: “Everyday Inspiration: Finding Art in Community and Place” (Gr. 1-5) (featuring Boston artists!), “Art of Ancient Nubia” (Gr. 6-12), and “Art of Ancient Greece and Rome” (Gr. 6-12). Learn more.
DEADLINE EXTENDED- Fund for Teachers
You now have until February 24 to complete your application. Those interested in feedback and support, should contact Paul as soon as possible. Through Fund for Teachers, you can design your own (often travel-based) passion-driven professional learning experience for Summer ’22. Individuals may be awarded grants of up to $5000 and teams up to $10,000. Learn more and apply today!
SSC/Governing Board Trainings
Empower your school community: SSC/Governing Board trainings are currently scheduled from November – January of this school year jointly run by the BTU & the BPS Office of Family & Community Advancement. To register or for more info, contact Caren Carew. Workshops are open to all elected SSC members including parents, BTU members, high school students & school administrators all of whom are encouraged to attend.
Fair Share Amendment Pledge Cards
Building reps: We’re asking you to activate your CAT team to collect Fair Share Amendment pledge cards from every member at your school. You should expect a call from a Member Organizer to bring you cards and support you in getting your school organized!