BTU Events and Announcements

$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- Haitian Educators Meeting: Tuesday, November 9, 6:00-7:00PM
Join the Haitian Educators for a Parent Meet & Greet this evening at the BTU Hall.

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- In BPS Teacher Pipeline Programs’ “Bounce the Ball” Series Keynote Address: November 13, 10:00AM-12:00PM
BPS Teacher Pipeline Programs’ “Bounce the Ball” Series and Freedom Dreaming Family Engagement are inviting you to a keynote address by and discussion with Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, the award-winning associate professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. Register here.

NEW- Inclusion 101 Family Forum: November 15, 6:30-8:00PM
The Inclusion Done Right Committee welcomes all families, educators and community members to the Inclusion 101 – Family Forum. Families will have a space to ask questions and receive answers and resources, as well as connect with other families. Topics covered will include: IEP meetings, family rights, services, summer support and much more! Translation services will be provided for Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Kriolu and Vietnamese. If you are interested in attending, please fill out this short form.

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- CPS Annual Meeting Honors BTU Ethnic Studies Now! November 18, 7:00-8:30PM
Register today (for free) for the Citizens for Public Schools Annual Meeting. We’ll honor three campaigns for education justice, including the BTU Ethnic Studies Now! Organizing Committee. Register and learn more.

NEW- Intent to Retire Fair: November 29, 9:00AM-1:00PM
BTU will be hosting another Intent to Retire Session. This is for all BTU members who intend to retire from 11/29/21 to 3/39/22. Full information available here.

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.

NEW- 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 know who your CAT leader is!

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- 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.

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.

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.

NEW- Telescope Network Fall Survey
Please take the Telescope Network Fall Survey. We use your feedback to report on educator needs across the district. We also use your responses to design upcoming PD sessions. Additionally, we’re raffling off a dozen prizes (including several $25 gift cards) to people who complete the survey.