$how Me the Money Series: Through December 6
Join the Boston Education Justice Alliance community for a conversation about ways to advocate for better quality schools, from getting involved in your school site council to the basics of your school budget. Register here!
NEW- Inclusion Done Right Meeting: November 3, 6:30-7:30PM
Inclusion Done Right will have a meeting to plan their parent forum which will be held on Monday, November 16 at 6:30 via Zoom. We hope you can make it to our meeting or family forum. Contact Katina if you have any questions.
Telescope Trivia is Back! November 9, 8:00-9:15PM
Join on the 2nd Tuesday of the month for a virtual team trivia game! Join on your own or bring a team for some fun collaboration and light competition. Register now!
NEW- Paraprofessional Virtual Game Night: November 15, 5:30-6:30PM
Join your fellow colleagues in a Virtual Game Night to relax and unwind! This is strictly a social event so remember, no work/union talk allowed! Click to register.
NEW- Student Debt Clinic: December 1, 5:00-7:00PM
Interested in learning about the changes to getting out of student debt? The BTU is hosting a Student Debt Clinic with AFT here at the union hall – register now! Select the following clinic from the drop-down “Student Debt Clinic” menu: “MASSACHUSETTS: Boston Teachers Union 5 pm 12/01/2021”. Enter “Boston Teachers Union” in the affiliate field (both drop-down fields will fill if you just type in “Boston”) and answer the short survey.
Retirement Party for Betsy Drinan: December 3, 7:00-11:00PM
Please join us for a celebration of Betsy Drinan’s retirement after a long career serving the students of Boston and the Boston Teachers Union! The event will be held at the Union Hall. Please RSVP to Matt Bouvier and send a check for $55 payable to “Boston Teachers Union,” with “Retirement Party” in the memo line.
Fund for Teachers: Design Your Own Passion-Driven Professional Learning
The application for Fund for Teachers is now open! Design your own (often travel-based) 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! The BTU offers support and feedback to members in writing their proposals. Please contact Paul to be connected to a mentor.
NEW- BTU Climate Justice Committee
It’s time to reactivate the BTU Climate Justice Committee! As you know, ensuring that we, collectively as global citizens, act quickly and decisively to limit and eliminate carbon emissions is critical to the survival of our planet. There are many ways we can marshall the power of the BTU and AFT MA membership to be impactful in these efforts. See here for more information.
Lit with Lea: Every Friday to a classroom near you!
From Elementary Rep. Lea Serena: “I hope you all have enjoying my book suggestions in the BTU paper! Please consider signing up to have me visit your classroom and share a read aloud with you and your students! In honor of organizing and activism I am planning on reading Click, Clack, Mo, Cows that Type, Side by Side, and experts from We Rise, We Resist, and We Raise our Voices. I am also always open to a different book as a guest reader!”
Important Message on Exclusionary Medications
The Public Employee’s Commission, a City of Boston group of local unions advocating for their members’ health care benefits, released a current list of exclusionary medications not covered by Express Scripts. Ask your doctor to prescribe from one of the preferred alternatives. Use this link for exclusionary medications and alternatives.
BTU @ the Celtics: Get Your Tickets Now!
UPDATE: December 29 tickets are sold out! We have limited tickets left for the January 15 game against Chicago at 8:30 p.m. for $75 each. Tickets are first come, first served and will be sent electronically after payment has been received. Please click HERE or email Nichole for more details.
Cafeteria Plan Advisors/Flexible Spending Plan Open Enrollment: Due November 19
The open enrollment period for the Cafeteria Plan Advisors/ Flexible Spending Plan offered to City of Boston employees is open! The enrollment period extends until November 19.
JET Program 2022-23 Interest Form
The JET Interest Form for the 2022-23 JET Program Year is now available! Public school paraprofessionals who are interested in JET’s services and wish to participate in the JET program may complete the JET Interest Form, an eligibility survey that is the first part of the application process. We are planning virtual JET Information sessions starting in the Fall and will send details when they become available.
Support BTU Against Breast Cancer
The BTU joined the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer”! Support with a donation here.
Telescope Network Monthly Connect and Share
At our monthly educator-led Telescope Network “Connect & Share” panels. Our colleagues, BPS educators, will share what they’re working on and engage attendees in discussion around challenges identified by educators themselves. Get more informationon the full series and RSVP today.