Contract Update
At our regular membership meeting on February 14, we will be presenting the new contract negotiating package: Creating the Schools Our Students Deserve. The new package was created with input from thousands of BTU educators and community members, analysis of data from our Collective Bargaining Committee, and fine-tuning from the BTU Negotiating Team. The membership meeting begins at 4:30 PM. Childcare is available, and there will also be a presentation about the new Health Portal for city employees and other important issues. We hope to see you there!
Don’t forget to Wear Red for Public Ed on Wednesday, too! Please see the full meeting agenda. Don’t worry — we plan to run an efficient meeting so that everyone will still have time plenty of time for V-day or Ash Wednesday plans!
On February 26, the Supreme Court will be hearing the impending Janus vs. AFSCME court case. Janus is about undermining workers and our unions. We will be joining workers across the nation during a day of action to support public sector workers and our freedom to work in unions for fair working conditions. The action will take place on February 26 at noon at the Boston Fire House at 125 Purchase Street.
The AFT, our national affiliate, submitted an amicus brief. As we prepare for the decision, please check to make sure that you have signed the new BTU All-In Card on our member portal.
Upcoming BTU Organizing Events
BPS Budget Hearing: February 13
Interested in budget advocacy? Join BEJA and BTU members to advocate for schools we deserve and support the #WeLoveOurSchools campaign at the next budget hearings on February 7 at the Bolling Building) and February 13 at East Boston High, both at 6 PM. To learn more about how to get involved, email Jonathan Rodrigues at jrodrigues@btu.org.
Restorative Practices, Values and Action Circle PD: Tuesday, February 13
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 at the McCormack. This circle will support our work by helping students understand how we express values and how those values are expressed in our behavior so that we can create intentionally safe classrooms. If you did not register on MyLearningPlan and would like to attend, please email to RSVP with Farah Assiraj at fassiraj@btu.org.
BEJA Fund Our Schools Campaign Meeting: Wednesday, February 21
Please join us at the Bolling Building from 5:30-7:30. RSVP by emailing Ruby at bejaruby@gmail.com.
Puerto Rican Educators Meeting: Friday, March 2
Please join Puerto Rican educators from 4-6 PM at the BTU to discuss ideas for supporting incoming families and students as well as other organizing efforts. To RSVP, email Farah Assiraj at fassiraj@btu.org.
Community Events of Interest
Intent vs. Impact: School Discipline Dinner Dialogue
Please join us on Thursday, February 15 from 6-8 PM at the Bolling Building at 2300 Washington Street in Roxbury. We invite parents, youth, educators and thought-leaders from across sectors to explore what school discipline looks like when done right and what to do when it’s not. The dialogue panel features the collective wisdom of parents, BTU educators, and experts who will explore solutions that are student-centered, community-driven and culturally conducive to today’s generation of learners. Read more and register.