UPDATED- BTU Election Reminders
Validation of candidates in the upcoming BTU election has been completed. Based on the number of candidates no primary is needed for this election. Thanks to all who chose to participate in this process and congratulations to all candidates. You can see the list of validated candidates here. You can find the full update on the election process here.
WikiWisdom Forums
If you haven’t yet visited the WikiWisdon forum, now is the time to join the conversation! This forum is open to all BPS staff to share your best ideas in response to the overarching question: “Based on your experience with BPS, and especially this past year, we are looking for your ideas for reimagining what school could be. If there were no bounds, what would the ideal learning experience be like for our students?” Share your responses. You can respond to previously posted ideas or start a new thread of your own. All ideas will be used to produce a summary report in late March.
Return, Recover, Reimagine Task Force: Member Voices Needed
Building from our successful collaborative efforts from last summer, this Taskforce will be an opportunity to engage BPS stakeholders in the design, improvement, and implementation of planning for our return to school in fall 2020. The Task Force will be composed of 7-10 subcommittees each with key stakeholder representation including educators, caregivers, and students. Subcommittees will meet regularly through the spring and summer. Task Forces will include: Assessments (already appointed through a previous process), Curriculum, Grading, Learning Management Systems/Digital Learning, Intervention/MTSS, Out of School Time Intervention, Transformative SEL, Multilingual Learners, Special Education. Read each subcommittee’s tentative guiding question, and apply here.
Opt Out of MCAS Forums: Through March 17
Some of our partners from the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance have set up forums to educate people about the opt-out process for MCAS by telling stories of parents who opted out and by sharing the facts about parents’ rights to opt out. Please use this social media toolkit to share this out with other members and parents.
TONIGHT- BTU Open Discussion Space: March 16, 4:30-6:00PM
All BTU members are invited and encouraged to join this open space to talk to each other, to debate issues, to share challenges and to struggle with each other as we process and think together. The intention is to give members the opportunity to engage in deeper, longer and more robust discussion about topics they identify. At our first meeting, we want to focus on the immediate and urgent issues surrounding new reopening plans along with any other topics there may be interest in talking about.This is a BTU member only space. Sign up here and contact Khalida Smalls with any thoughts or questions.
TONIGHT- Virtual Meet and Greet with Congressman Jake Auchincloss: March 16, 4:00-5:00PM
Please join the BTU along with other locals from AFT-MA for a virtual Meet and Greet with Congressman Jake Auchincloss, who was elected in November 2020 to represent Massachusetts’s 4th Congressional district. The 4th Congressional District represents Newton, Brookline, Holliston, Medway, North Attleboro, etc. but everyone is welcome. Register here to receive the Zoom login information, which will be sent in the days prior to the event.
TONIGHT- Haitian Educators Committee Meeting: March 16, 5:00PM
Join the Haitian Educators Committee for a meeting. For more information and the Zoom link, please contact Bianca Pierre.
TONIGHT- Paraprofessional Virtual Break Room: March 16, 5:00-6:00PM
Join your fellow colleagues in a Virtual Break Room – Saint Patrick’s Day edition! Come in to say hello and have a casual social conversation and check-in. Remember, no work/union talk allowed! Click here to register. A link will be sent to you in the days prior. Be sure to wear something festive!
TONIGHT- This Is Us Fireside Chat: March 16, 7:00PM
As education stakeholders continue to debate the impact of the pandemic and distance learning on students, we must leverage the voices of students in the contentious and courageous conversations that focus on them. Students deserve a seat at the decision-making table. Tune in to this student panel to learn how the pandemic has impacted and shaped students’ high school experiences.
NEW- Spokesperson Workshop for AFT Members: March 18, 4:00-5:00PM
A spokesperson training teaches attendees how to effectively tell their own stories for the purpose of social change. The training will cover the elements of a good story, tools for crafting your story, time for practicing your story and receiving feedback, and an overview of where to share your story (e.g. in a press interview). Register here!
Early Literacy in Dual Language Programs Workshop: March 22, 5:30PM
Join Danissa Lopez, 1st grade Dual Language teacher at Umana Academy, for a workshop that will provide information on the basics of early literacy/language acquisition for students who speak more than one language. K-2 educators and administrators are invited. Make sure to register here!
Eliot School Salon Series: March 24, 7:00-8:30PM
Join the Eliot School Salon Series for a compelling and nuanced conversation about “Talking to Kids About Race, Justice, and Their Power Using Art” with Tanya Nixon-Silberg, Founder of Little Uprisings and co-founder of Wee the People and Zahirah Nur Truth, ZNT ARTS Teaching Artist and Arts Education Consultant. Our conversation amplifies the voices of two educators who are actively engaging with young people and the adults who help mold them.
Parent2Parent Conference: March 27, 10:00AM-2:30PM
Please join us for the Parent2Parent Conference! Our theme this year is Learning, Parenting, Teaching: Strengthening Communities Together. As we’ve all adjusted to huge changes in our education system this year, collaborating to support students is more important than ever. This is a conference for parents AND educators to share and learn from each other, support family engagement, promote family advocacy, and strengthen family and educator collaboration. Register here. Flyers are available in 10 languages and interpretation will be available for all who register. For more information, please contact Ilene Carver.
NEW- DL Best Practices Language Objectives: March 29, 5:30PM
We’ve been inspired by Dr. José Medina and have made a conscious effort to incorporate strategically 4+1 language domains daily to our lessons. K-12 educators and administrators are invited. Register here!
Inclusion Done Right Committee Meeting: March 29, 4:30PM-6:00PM
The meeting agenda will include an update on inclusion expansion across the district, and an opportunity for educators and families at schools where inclusion is expanding to hear about best practices. Please come and share what’s going on with inclusion at your school so we can identify common issues as we continue to advocate for “inclusion done right”. Interpretation will be provided with registration. Please register here.
NEW- BTU Racial Justice Town Hall: March 31, 5:00-7:00PM
Join us for our next BTU Racial Justice Town Hall: A Discussion with Black Male Educators in BPS. Contact Khalida Smalls for more information. This is a virtual event for BTU members only. Please RSVP for the Zoom link.
NEW- Simultaneous Teaching Virtual EdCamp: March 31, 4:00-6:00PM
Teaching students at home and in person is hard, but so many of us are doing our best to make it work. Let’s join together as a BPS community, ask questions, share ideas, and learn from each other. EdCamps are a unique “unconference” form of PD where those in attendance lead learning for one another. The Telescope Network is co-hosting an Edcamp around the theme of simultaneous teaching. Registering in advance enters you into a raffle. Prizes will be awarded throughout the event (attendance required to win).
NEW- Tech Goes Home Distance Learning: April 1 – 28
TGH Distance Learning Program is a FREE program that delivers 18 hours of instruction focused on fundamental digital skills. Courses are open to adults and seniors. Register here!
Annual Paraprofessional Conference: April 10, 9:00AM-12:00PM
This year’s VIRTUAL conference will include a plenary emphasizing the important role you play in both your union and community, as well as a series of workshops to support both you and your students during the COVID pandemic. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity for professional development and to build connections with other fellow paraprofessionals throughout the Commonwealth. Click here to register.
Equity Protocols Training: April 27, 4:00-6:00PM
The equity is offering protocol training for Paraprofessionals and ABAs. Equity Protocols Training is an introduction to the Office of Equity. During the training, attendees will review BPS policies and procedures regarding bias-based conduct, particularly around race. They will also learn about how students, families, and others can report possible incidents of bias. It will provide an overview of the process at the school and district level bias is reported. Register now!
NEW- Ethnic Studies Week of Action: May 24 – 28
Interested in getting involved in the movement for Ethnic Studies in Boston? The BTU Ethnic Studies Now committee is organizing a Week of Action, May 24 – 28. Save the date and complete this short interest form to join in at any level!
NEW- Caregiver-Educator Support Group
We started as a caregiver-educator support group, but we’ve noticed as the year has progressed that we are all in need of a little extra support, self-care or reflection time. We’d like to invite you to spend an hour, every other week, starting at the end of March with us processing the stressors of our jobs this year! Please fill out this 1-minute surveyto indicate what day and what time would work best for you!
Seeking Support from Personnel Subcommittees and Hiring Committees
We are seeking the support of members who serve on school based personnel subcommittees and other hiring committees to ensure that experienced Boston Public Schools educators, our fellow BTU members, are considered for all open positions in your school. Please read this letter for more information.
Sick Bank Donations
The BTU Sick Bank provides additional leave in the case of an unexpected or prolonged illness when all other options have been exhausted. You never know when you may need to use the sick bank yourself, and it may help you avoid a loss of compensation in the future. Those who have 3 or more consecutive years of service are eligible.
Union Dues
In 2020, teachers paid $1,433.77 in union dues; paraprofessionals and substitutes paid $716.85 in union dues; and ABAs paid $931.81 in union dues. Please direct any questions about dues to Secretary-Treasurer Betsy Drinan.
Virtual Homework Helpers
Homework Helpers will be available for K-8 students Mondays through Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m. Students can visit the webpage during these time frames and help will be waiting. Please make sure to circulate this information to your students. The Boston Public Library is also offering a similar program.