This week is the Unafraid Educators Week of Action. Unafraid Educators is the BTU organizing committee working on behalf of undocumented students and educators in our schools. Please check out unafraideducators.org and find them on Twitter@UnafraidBTU to learn more and get involved! Tag us on Twitter @btu66 to let us know how you are taking part in the Unafraid Educators Week of Action and International Workers’ Day (May Day)!
May is the start of Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. There are a lot of great books to support the month on First Book. If you haven’t signed up for First Book, please do at firstbook.org/aft. Signing up helps us to bring free books to our annual book fair and gives you access to hundreds of free and discounted books as well.
BTU Organizing Committees
Seeking Volunteers for Making Strides Committee
The BTU has been participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk for over 20 years. Anyone interested in participating in a committee to raise money to find a cure for this disease is invited to contact Brenda Chaney at bchaney@btu.org as soon as possible. The walk this year will be on September 30. More information to follow.
Call for Election Committee Applications
As passed by the membership in March, the Election Committee for next year’s election will be selected at next month’s membership meeting. Fifteen members will be elected after submitting a statement of interest to the President, majority vote by the Executive Board and approval by the membership. Please send a statement of interest to Marimar at mescoto@btu.org by Tuesday, May 8. Please note: No candidate for any full-time office or position on the Executive Board shall be eligible to serve as a member of the Election Committee. Candidates for delegate, however, are eligible.
Upcoming Organizing Events
NEW — Teacher Policy Talks: May 31
Get a view of education policy as it really impacts students and schools. Join our 2017-18 AFT/BTU Policy Fellows as they share their research and recommendations on the issues that matter most in their classrooms and schools. This event is open to all. See our flyer for details and RSVP today.
Paint Night at the BTU: May 4
Join Boston area educators & friends for Canvases, Cocktails, & Conversation on Friday, May 4 from 5-8 PM at the BTU. Join educators and friends for an evening of painting, snacks, a raffle, and cash bar to support the Rollins Griffith Teacher Center. Open to all! Register ASAP to save your spot.
Puerto Rican Educators Meeting: May 8
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 at the BTU. Email Farah at fassiraj@btu.org to RSVP.
NEW — Haitian Educators Meeting: May 14
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at the BTU. Email Jonathan at jrodrigues@btu.org to RSVP.
Teacher Feedback Group on Juvenile Justice: May 22
Please join us at 4:30 at the BTU. Massachusetts child-serving agencies and organizations are working on a strategic plan for the juvenile justice system. This strategic plan will lay out a vision for how the system can work better, focus us on improving outcomes for children, and improve racial equity. Please attend and share your perspective and insight as an educator. RSVP with Jonathan at jrodrigues@btu.org and Lee Nave at leenave@cfjj.org.
City Education Hearings: Member Voices Needed
The city has announced the a list of upcoming hearings regarding education and the city budget. We would love to have BTU member voices heard! See a full list of hearing times and topics and sign up to testify. Hearings will be held on May 3, 8 and 10
Can’t make it to a hearing? Submit written testimony to be read by BTU Staff! Please email your testimony to Jonathan at jrodrigues@btu.org.
Community Events of Interest
O’Bryant Teacher Chris Wiley
Support Recently Paralyzed Burke Teacher
Students at the Burke have set up a fundraiser for their teacher, Chris Wiley, who was paralyzed from the waist down this month after being struck with MRSA.
Say Yes to COSEBOC!
From May 29-31, more than 400 teacher-leaders, parents, principals, community leaders and youth from across the US are coming to Boston to attend the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color’s (COSEBOC’s) 12th Annual Gathering of Leaders. Learn more about and register.
Teacher Brendan Donovan and friends
Support BPS Teacher in Walk for Hunger
Debra Price, a teacher at the Harvard-Kent Elementary School, is looking for sponsors for her Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 6. This will be her 17th walk and a cause important to her heart. Support Debra and Project Bread today.
Teacher Raising Money for Best Buddies
Brendan Donovan is a BPS teacher and a volunteer for Best Buddies and Team Tom Brady. He is having his second annual Team Tom Brady Best Buddies Gala on May 12 in West Roxbury. Get your tickets or donate to support Brendan today.
Lee Parent Supporting Cape Verdean Students with Disabilities
Lee parent Elizabeth “Beta” Gomes is working to construct a cohort of educators, social workers, occupational therapists and more to travel to Cape Verde and provide training and mentorship to their Cape Verdean counterparts. Read more and support.
BPS Athletics Golf Outing on June 22
The BPS Athletics Team invites you to join them for the Inaugural BPS Athletics Golf Outing on Friday, June 22 at the Franklin Park Golf Course. This day supports our student-athletes and raises funds for athletic programs. Read more and sign up.
UMass Amherst Labor Scholarships
UMass Amherst announces scholarships for qualifying students to begin their Union Leadership and Activism program this summer. Read more, and contact Tom Juravich at 413-545-5986 or at juravich@lrrc.umass.edu with questions and to apply.
YouthCAN Summit on Climate and Sustainability at MIT: May 19
You are invited to the 12th annual YouthCAN Summit on May 19. See the flyer.