Last Call – THE EXAMINED LIFE: Greek Studies in the Schools
THE EXAMINED LIFE:  Greek Studies in the Schools still has space for a few more participants. Details are found on their website www.teachgreece.org or by contacting Executive Director Mary Kemper at exlteachgreece@gmail.com.

Do you have a Juris Doctorate? Fill out this form
Per our new contract, BPS and BTU are identifying teachers who have earned a Juris Doctorate to determine the most appropriate way to compensate them for their education. If you have a JD, please complete the form. Participation is voluntary.

NEW – Haitian Educators Committee, October 22
The Haitian Educators Committee will hold its first meeting of the new school year on Tuesday, October 22, 4:30 pm, at the Mattahunt Elementary School in Mattapan.  For more information, please contact Bianca Pierre at bpierre74@gmail.com.  Please join us!

NEW – BTR Early Career Teaching Network (ECTN) Planning Party, October 20
The Planning Party was designed and refined by teachers in the ECTN to counter the common problems of Sunday planing blues. Once a month gatherings designed by teachers for teachers to plan, run through lessons, look at student work, and get in-time feedback or resources from trained peer coaches. Teachers leave with materials created, copied, organized and teachers are ready to start the week right! Open to all.
Sunday, October 20. 11:00-3:00 – Project Hope 550 Dudley St Roxbury MA
Future dates: Nov 24, Dec 15, Jan 12, Feb 9, March 8

NEW – Fill Massachusetts Latino Educator Survey by October 25
In an effort to identify the policies and practices to recruit and retain Latino educators, Latinos for Education is releasing a state-wide survey for Latino teachers, staff and administrators. We want to hear directly from those who have become Latino educators to identify the best solutions. We invite you to complete the Massachusetts Latino Educator Survey to share your ideas as well as to share this opportunity with your networks.
Priority Deadline: Friday, October 25th
Final Deadline: Friday, November 8th
Complete the survey for your chance to win a $200 gift card to Donor’s Choos

Schedule A ELT Updates
Our new contract includes several changes to the ELT agreement, but many aspects remain the same. The most frequently asked about issues include:

  • $200 Supply and Material Fund – This is unchanged. Each teacher in a Schedule A school continues to be allocated $200 for supplies. Schools should use the same/similar procedures for completing orders as they have in the past.
  • TFT Time– The 40-minute teacher-directed collaborative planning time has been eliminated and is converted to individually directed P&D time for elementary teachers. For secondary teachers, this time may be converted to administratively directed CPT. Schools may choose to maintain TFT through a contractual waiver process.
  • TFT Facilitator Stipends- This expenditure has been eliminated from the contract, but BPS has opted to continue the allocation for one year. The funds must be used for stipends, but the purpose of these stipends is at the discretion of the administrator.

For more information, see this memo which was sent to principals this summer, or contact Paul Tritter or Maggie Riddell

Join our Retired Teachers Chapter Activist Network
The RTC is setting up a committee for this network. If you are interested in joining the RTC Activist Network, please fill up this form and send it to Marilyn Marion at mmarion@btu.org.

Fund for Teachers: Design Your Own Transformative PD
The BTU is a proud local partner of Fund for Teachers. Applications are now open for this year’s cycle. The Boston program is open to BPS and Boston charter school teachers to apply for grants of $5000 (individuals) or $10,000 (teams) to design professional learning experiences that inspire and sustain them as people and professionals. We will announce informational sessions soon, but you can use the Application Learning Center for help or contact Paul for more information or set up 1:1 support with your application.

Inclusion Done Right 
Please join the fight for Inclusion Done Right by filling out this survey to inform us about how inclusion/special education is being implemented at your school. Please encourage other members to do so as well! Is your school ready to take further action for the Inclusion Done Right campaign? Please contact BTU Organizer Ilene Carver at icarver@btu.org.

Fall Leadership Conference: October 18-20
The 2019 Fall Leadership Conference will be held at the Dedham Hilton. All BTU Building Reps and Member Leaders are encouraged to attend. Download a flyer for posting and please RSVP on our website.

BTU Blood Drive: October 23
The BTU will hold a blood drive from 1:00 – 6:00 pm. Read more here.

Cancer Awareness Fair: November 2
On November 2, 10:00 am-2:00 pm, the Boston Teachers Union Women’s Rights Committee is hosting a cancer awareness fair. Come learn about prevention, resources, and supports for BTU members, friends, BPS families and loved ones. Read more here.

Latinx Educators Organizing
Do you identify as Latinx? Are you a BTU or AFT-MA member? Are you interested in organizing around issues that affect Latinx educators and the wider Latinx community? Fill out this interest survey to get involved!