NEW- Teacher Leadership and Coaching Roles Info Sessions: March 2, 7 & 10
Learn about the variety of new BTU and managerial instructional leadership opportunities supporting educators to provide equitable instruction for our students. Register and attend: Wed. 3/2 @4:30 p.m., Mon. 3/7 @5 p.m., Thur. 3/10 @5 p.m. Available roles include Equitable Literacy Coach, Data Inquiry Facilitator, Telescope Networker, Ethnic Studies Coach, SEL Coach, Transformation Coach and more. Sessions will be recorded for those unable to join.
NEW- Telescope Networker Info Sessions for School Leaders: March 1 & 5
These sessions will help school leaders understand how to nominate a teacher from your school or be matched with a Networker for next year. Register and attend March 1st @ 5 p.m. or March 8th @ 5 p.m. Teachers interested in applying for Networker roles are encouraged to share this information with your school leader.
NEW- Countering Misinformation in the Classroom: March 3, 4:00-5:00PM
Teaching media literacy is not just about ensuring students cite quality sources in their papers; it’s about ensuring they’re prepared to be educated participants in democracy and civic society. In this Q & A style session, AFT President Randi Weingarten will be joined by Steven Brill, veteran journalist and co-founder of NewsGuard, to learn about the misinformation trends NewsGuard’s analysts are encountering in the field, and to discuss the tactics educators can employ in their classrooms to counter these trends. Register here!
Annual PSRP Conference: April 9
Save the date! The 2022 annual PSRP conference will be held on April 9. The theme is stress solutions, self-care, & solidarity. More info to come!
Tell BPS to Fix Pool Testing!
BPS is still accepting input on their decision about whether or not to accept the state’s new testing program. You can read the DESE memo about the policy here. FamCOSa is calling on BPS to work with the state and other partners to put in place a testing policy that actually works. Let BPS know how you feel about the state’s new testing program!
2022 AFT Massachusetts Convention: May 7
Planning for the 2022 AFT Massachusetts convention on May 7, 2022, is underway! The convention will be held at the IBEW Local 103 Hall located at 256 Freeport Street in Dorchester and every effort will be made to keep attendees safe. A COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan is being developed by the AFT Massachusetts Executive Board and the plan will be at least as preventative as the guidance as set by the AFT, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the City of Boston. More details to follow.
National Board Certification Supports
National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools. It was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. There are several upcoming support sessions scheduled. For more info, email the National Board Leadership Team or visit the team website.
NEW- Become a Networker with Telescope: Full Time Teacher Leadership Role
The Telescope Network is expanding to add eight new Networkers to the team. The Networker is a full-time teacher-leader role focused on developing and facilitating professional learning opportunities that elevate and share promising practices across Boston Public Schools. For this hybrid role, networkers will spend two days of each week assigned to a “home base” school, and spend the other three days supporting educators across the district.
Fair Share Amendment Pledge
The Fair Share Amendment, also known as the Millionaires Tax, is a ballot question that is desperately needed to fund public transportation and our public schools and colleges. For people who make more than a million dollars a year in income, the Fair Share Amendment will enact a 4% tax on every dollar earned over a million. In the lead up to the ballot questions, Raise Up MA is collecting thousands of commitment cards from residents across Massachusetts. AFT-MA has pledged to collect 5,000 cards and we need your help. Sign a pledge card now!
BEAM Scholarship Application
The Black Educators’ Alliance of Massachusetts (BEAM) is pleased to offer scholarships. Eligible applicants are encouraged to demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, school and/or community involvement, and commitment to complete a post-secondary course of study. This scholarship honors the memory of George B. Cox. The application is linked here. Email cynt91083@gmail.com with questions.
Tutor Position Available
The Home & Hospital Instruction Program is seeking new after school tutors for students. We’re inviting all BPS teachers and licensed educators to apply. This is a part-time stipend position. Apply now and contact Socorro Holland with questions.
Calling All Arts Educators
We ask you to join in our contract fight in order to provide a well-rounded culturally diverse arts program for our students. We ask you to read and share our demands in order to create and expand on the district’s arts programs. These programs are more crucial than ever due to the pandemic because they serve as natural forms of medicine and therapy for our students and school community. This is vital for their social and emotional learning, in order to serve the needs of all learners. If there are no arts, learning is hindered because we will not be able to teach the WHOLE CHILD! Fill out the survey and let us know what your school needs in connection with our contract proposal. See the demands here.
Attention Upward Bound Student and Staff Alumni: 1966-1969
If you were a student or staff member in the UMass Boston or MIT Upward Bound Program during the late 1960s (or early 1970s) and are willing to participate in a research study by conducting an oral history interview, please contact Gail Stubbs at gail.stubbs@umb.edu or 617-962-3924. Gail is a UMass Boston doctoral student doing a study called “Communities in Action: The Early Years of the Upward Bound Program.” She is interested in hearing about your experiences and memories of being part of the program during that time period.
Important Dates for Paras: Staffing 2022
Paras should read this document for important dates, deadlines, and information for the coming year.
Survey on Ventilation in BPS Cafeterias
FamCOSa is taking some action on the specific issue of ventilation in cafeterias. Please complete this survey to shed light on your school’s cafeteria situation!
Union Dues
In 2021, teachers paid $1,451.06 in union dues and paraprofessionals, substitutes and ABAs paid $725.47 in union dues. Please direct any questions about dues to Secretary-Treasurer Michael McLaughlin.
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.