TODAY — Education Town Hall with Councilor Essaibi-George: October 23
This fall City Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George is holding a series of Town Halls across the city. Please plan to join us for a special Town Hall for Educators Only with the Councilor at the BTU today from 4:30-6 PMRSVP on Facebook. This is open to all BTU members. Contact Johnny McInnis with questions at jmcinnis@btu.org.

New Committee: BuildBPS Action Committee

The BuildBPS proposals could potentially impact a number of other schools as well. We encourage members to attend the upcoming forums. There will be one tomorrow from 6-8 PM at the West Roxbury Education Complex (1205 VFW Parkway) and on Thursday from 6-7:30 PM at the Burke in Dorchester (60 Washington Street). We will continue to work with the affected school communities and have created a new action committee for anyone interested in getting the latest updates and developments.  Please fill out this form if you would like to join, and contact internal organizer Natalia Cuadra-Saez at ncuadrasaez@btu.org with questions.


BPS Students Push for PILOT Payments

Earlier this month, BPS students who are part of the St. Stephen’s Youth Program organized a campus demonstration at Northeastern University to pressure wealthy universities to contribute more to the city via the PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) program. The BTU is proud to be a leader in the Pilot Action Group. Read the full article on the Schoolyard News website.


Upcoming BTU Events & Committee Meetings

Paint Night at the BTU: November 2
Come celebrate beating the October Blues! Join fellow Boston educators and friends for a fun, relaxing evening of painting, snacks, music, a raffle, and cash bar to support the Rollins Griffith Teacher Center of Boston. Read more and download a flyer, and reserve your space.

Ethnic Studies Now Meeting: November 4
On Sunday, November 4 from 2-4 PM, join a group of BPS educators working to bring Ethnic Studies curricula to BPS. So far we have succeeded in advocating for professional development opportunities and stipend opportunities for teachers. To learn more and RSVP please contact Natalia at ncuadrasaez@btu.org.

Academics Committee Meeting: November 8
Our Academics Committees (Inclusion, ELL, Climate Change, Early Ed, PLAB, and Arts) usually meet throughout the year on the FIRST Tuesdays of the month (special exception this month because of election day). To learn more and to RSVP please contact Natalia at ncuadrasaez@btu.org.

BTU Digitizing Oral Histories Day: Saturday, November 17
Please join us on November 17 from 10-3 at the BTU and help us preserve the history of the BTU! UMass Boston staff and a team of BTU volunteers will scan photographs and documents recording individual stories. Additionally, there will be a video station for people to record their memories of involvement with the BTU and working in BPS. Everything will be included in a digital open access archive. Interested in contributing or volunteering? RSVP at btu.org/digitizingday.

Teacher-Powered Schools National Conference in Boston
The 2018 Teacher-Powered Schools National Conference will be held this year in Boston from November 30 to December 2. The BTU is proud to be a co-sponsor. Register today on Eventbrite!


Community Events of Interest

TODAY — Author, Artist, Activist Eve Ewing Speaks in Cambridge
A timely learning opportunity: Learn about the impacts school closures can have on students, schools and communities with renowned scholar, author and artist Eve Ewing. Eve will speak as part of the Gutman Library Distinguished Author Series today from 4:30-6 PM at the Gutman LIbrary in Cambridge. Learn more.

College Access Workshop: Applying as an undocumented student: October 26
Join the Student Immigrant Movement and MIT Admissions on Friday, October 26 from 6-7:30 PM at the MIT Campus. The event is free, and dinner will be provided. Read more and register online.

Professor Yong Zhao at Wellesley: November 1
We invite you to Wellesley College to hear Professor Yong Zhao, University of Kansas, discuss his new book, What Works May Hurt: Side Effects in Education, for the annual Diane Silvers Ravitch Lecture. The talk is free and open to the public. See the flyer.