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.
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. Read each subcommittee’s tentative guiding question, and apply here.
NEW- E-Board Meeting: March 24, 4:00PM
If you would like to attend, please email Matt Bouvier.
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.
NEW- Connect & Share Panel Discussions: March 25, 4:30-6:00PM
Join us for a panel discussion on the topic of “Meeting Diverse Needs & Hybrid Instruction.” Hear from your BPS colleagues about what’s working in their own classrooms and schools. Connect with peers from across BPS, get new ideas, and earn PD hours as well.
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.
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.
BTU Racial Justice Town Hall: March 31, 5:00-7:00PM
Join us for our next BTU racial justice town hall, The Last Black Unicorn: 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- Reimagine Multilingual Learning Conversations: Through March 31
Please join us to learn and share input on the Roadmap for Quality Education for multilingual learning. These meetings are part of a series of meetings in which are are beginning to reimagine the Office of English Learners. Additional meetings will be coming soon! Please register here.
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- Connect & Share Math Spotlight: April 7, 4:30-6:00PM
Join us for panel discussions on how to bring joy and deep understanding to hybrid math instruction in the hybrid learning classroom. Hear from your colleagues about what’s working in their own classrooms and schools. Connect with peers from across BPS, get new ideas, and earn PD hours as well.
Annual Paraprofessional Conference: April 10, 9:00AM-12:30PM
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.
NEW- Paraprofressional Virtual Break Room: April 13, 5:30-6:30PM
Join your colleagues in a Virtual Break Room, SPRING EDITION! Come in to say hello and play a game with your fellow Paras…and feel free to bring your own games as well! Just remember: no work/union talk allowed. Click HERE to register.
NEW- Immigrant Pride Week of Action: May 3 – 7
The Week of Action seeks to celebrate the strength, joy, and resilience of our immigrant and undocumented students and families, while also fighting for equitable policies in the city of Boston and beyond. All members of the BPS community are encouraged to participate! If you are interested in participating, sign up here.
NEW- Tech Goes Home Distance Learning: May 5 – 20
TGH Distance Learning Program is a FREE program that delivers 18 hours of instruction focused on fundamental digital skills. Beginner and intermediate courses are open to adults and seniors. Register here for beginners and here for intermediate!
NEW- Apply to the JET Program: Deadline Extended to April 2
The JET Application Deadline has been extended to Friday, April 2, 2021. Please share this information with Paras/IAs who are interested in the JET Program. You can find application information process here.
NEW- Apply for Racial Justice Standing Committee
The BTU seeks members to join a Racial Justice Standing Committee focused on guiding and implementing BTU’s racial justice vision and the priority work connected to that vision. We welcome all members passionate about this work and able to meet the commitments outlined here. We also strongly encourage members currently engaged in aspects of anti-oppression work within the BTU to apply. Learn more and apply here. Email Khalida Smalls with questions.
BTU Virtual Retirement Seminars
Due to high demand, we have been extended capacity for each of the remaining 4 dates by an additional 25 spots. Be sure to register here.
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!
NEW- Seeking New Member of the Educator Supports Program (ESP) Panel
There is an opening for a new BTU appointee on the ESP Panel, which governs the Educator Supports Program (Formerly PAR and Peer Assistance). For more information about this paid opportunity which entails significant additional work, please see the ESP Website. For questions about the role or to apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to Erik Berg.
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.
NEW- 2021 Scholarship Information: Due April 23
The BTU Dependent Scholarships and the RTC Scholarships are now open for applications! See our scholarship page for more information on how to apply. Both are due by April 23.
NEW- Student Support/Success Teams (SSTs) Survey
The Division of Accountability is looking for input from teachers about their perceptions of Student Support/Success Teams (SSTs). We hope to learn more about practices that are happening throughout BPS in order to provide support/resources consistently across the District. If you have any questions, please reach out to Geoff Rose, Division of Accountability. The survey will take about five minutes to complete and can be found here.
NEW- TalentEd Postings for the Summer
Please see a list of links for job postings in OEL Programming and Programming for Students with ESY in IEP.