BTU-Organized Conferences in January & February

Parent to Parent Conference: Saturday, January 27
Join us at Madison Park High School for this free event for parents and educators to learn from each other! See the flyer and register on the BTU website. Also, please share and invite friends on Facebook.

2018 BTU Winter Conference: Saturday, February 10
Please plan to join us from 9 AM to 3 PM at the BTU on Saturday, February 10! Our theme: “Leading the Movement with Equity and BTU POWER.” Read more, register, and download the flyer!

Upcoming BTU Events & Community Meetings

BTU Membership Meeting: Wednesday, January 10
Please join us at the BTU beginning at 4:30. The JET Program will be tabling if you’re interested in getting more information.

Restorative Practices Meeting: Thursday, January 11
Please join us at the BTU from 4:30-6:30. Email Farah at fassiraj@btu.org to RSVP.

History Social: Thursday, January 11
Please join us from 4-7 PM at the Gate Bar and Restaurant at 3171 Washington Street to learn about new iCivics resources and for some time to connect — and reconnect — with colleagues. There is street parking along Washington and Boylston Streets, and the Gate is a 5-minute walk from the Stonybrook T station. RSVP using this form with your BTU email address.

Restorative Practices Re-Entry Circle PD: Tuesday, January 16
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at the McCormack (315 Mt Vernon Street in Dorchester) for a circle about supporting a student re-entering a class or school after a suspension, conflict, or long absence to reduce the student’s anxiety and create a team to support the student’s concerns. If you did not register on MyLearningPlan and would like to attend, please RSVP by emailing Farah at fassiraj@btu.org.

Haitian Educators Meeting: Wednesday, January 17
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at the BTU. RSVP by emailing Jonathan at jrodrigues@btu.org.

Baker Pro-Charter Allies Fined Again for Illegal Campaign Donations

The Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance (MEJA) reported last week:

The Office of Campaign and Political Finance once again fined a nonprofit with close ties to Governor Baker for ‘an intent to influence the election’ and for failing to disclose its donors. This week’s finding pinned the latest lawbreaking on Strong Economy for Growth, which violated several campaign finance laws when campaigning for the 2016 ballot question to expand charter schools.

See coverage from the Boston Globe, “Campaign group allied with Baker on charter schools, pot is fined for hiding donors,” and the Boston Herald, “Bay state nonprofit penalized for violating campaign finance law.”

MEJA has been calling for the dismissal of Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Chair Paul Sagan since his previously revealed undisclosed donations to “Families for Excellent Schools–Advocacy,” money which that group illegally funneled to the Yes on 2 pro-charter campaign. They are also calling for the removal of any members of Baker’s administration who hid their contributions from the public while trying to influence public opinion or while making decisions about education in an official capacity.

Join the nearly 3,000 people who have already signed up to demand Sagan’s dismissal.