TODAY — Restorative Justice Organizing Committee Meeting
Join us at the BTU at 4:30. We will provide a light dinner. To learn more and to RSVP please contact Natalia at ncuadrasaez@btu.org.

TODAY — Election Committee Meetings
The next Election Committee meetings are today and February 26, both at 5 PM. All meetings are open to BTU and RTC members, and the first 15 minutes of each meeting are set aside for member questions and comments. See the BTU website for everything you need to know about the BTU election, from nomination papers to positions and more: btu.org/electioncommittee.

NEW — Dual Language Organizing Committee Meeting: February 26
Do you work in a dual language program? Are you interested in advocating to strengthen and improve these programs across the district? Join with other dual language educators at 4 PM at the Hernandez K-8 (61 School Street in Roxbury) to learn from each other and advocate for the high quality dual language programs our students deserve. Email Lindsay with questions at lgthornquist@gmail.com.

NEW — Haitian Educators Meeting: Tuesday, February 26
Please join us at 4:30 at Edu & Den’s Restaurant (643 River Street in Mattapan) for community building and action planning to support the needs of Haitian educators, students, and parents in our schools. For more info and to RSVP, email Natalia at ncuadrasaez@btu.org.

NEW — Meeting for the Committee on Unassigned Teachers: February 27
Please join us at 4:30 PM at the BTU. We will provide a light dinner. To learn more and to RSVP, please contact Natalia at ncuadrasaez@btu.org.

BTU Learning Community Circles: February 28
The BTU Restorative Justice Organizing Committee is hosting a series of Learning Community Circles designed to deepen our shared understanding of Restorative Justice and to build a strong community of restorative practitioners across the district. Our second circle of the series will take place on February 28 at Dearborn STEM Academy with the theme, “But I’m Just One Person: Deepening Our Sphere of Restorative Influence.” You can register on MyLearningPlan or RSVP with Natalia at ncuadrasaez@btu.org. Experienced practitioners, newcomers, and everyone in between are welcome! Come to one session or all four — they run through April 6.

BTU Donation Drive: March 1-13
Ending student homelessness is a priority for the BTU, especially as many of our students and families face housing instability. As spring cleaning approaches, we hope you may consider donating to our clothing drive and needed items drive for three local shelters: Rosie’s Place, St. Francis House and the Pine Street Inn. Please contact Para/Sub/ABA Field Rep Colleen Hart at chart@btu.org if you would like to help out or if you have any questions. See the flyer for more.

NEW — Academics Committees Meeting: March 5
Our Academics Committees (Inclusion, Environmental Justice, Arts and PLAB) are meeting at the BTU throughout the year on the FIRST Tuesdays of the month. Join us at 4:30 PM. We will provide a light dinner. To learn more and to RSVP, please contact Natalia at ncuadrasaez@btu.org.

NEW — Early Ed Organizing Committee Meeting: March 7
Please join us at 4:30 at the BTU. We will provide a light dinner. Email Colleen at colleencmason@gmail.com to learn more.

Educator Wellness Day at the BTU: March 9
Paras, subs, teachers — all are invited to join us for a day of relaxation and healing and a celebration of self-care in our work as educators! There will be workshops to choose from: yoga, calligraphy, meditation, and Zumba. Learn from a panel of educators on their practices of self-care and building resilient cultures of support at school. Breakfast and lunch included. Read more, download a flyer and register: btu.org/educatorwellness.

Seeking All Paras! We need your input!
The BTU Early Childhood Committee is interested in hosting a professional development for our paraprofessionals! Our hope is that we would get a group of paraprofessionals to attend the training who would then be interested in serving as trainers in their own schools or networks. In order to best meet the needs and interests of the early childhood paraprofessionals, we thought we would survey you all to find out what the best use of time and content would be. Paras, please fill out our Early Childhood Paraprofessional PD Interest Survey.

Save the Date for Annual Paraprofessional Conference: April 6
Join AFTMA and the BTU on Saturday, April 6! Discussion topics will include Professionalism, Self Care Plan, Equity, Trauma vs. Behavior and more. See and share the flyer!

HIRING — BTU Community Organizer
The BTU is seeking to hire a Community Organizer. Read the full job description and find out how to apply. BTU members are encouraged to apply.

Community Events

THURSDAY — Candlelight Vigil for Parkland: February 14
Honor the 17 lives lost to gun violence one year ago. Join the vigil at the Boston Common Parkman Bandstand on February 15 at 5:15 PM. See more.

NEW — BPS School Budget Cuts Community Meeting: February 20
Please join the Boston Education Justice Alliance (BEJA) on Wednesday, February 20 from 6-8 PM at St. Stephen’s Church (419 Shawmut Ave, South End) for an emergency meeting to take action for schools facing budget cuts. Contact Ruby with questions at bejaruby@gmail.com.