New Union Negotiating Team, BTU Fights for TPS
While we’re working on implementation of the prior contract and putting together our new Collective Bargaining Committee, our new negotiating team has begun initial preparations for our new round of contract negotiations. Our team, pictured above, consists of educators with over 300 collective years of experience just in Boston Public Schools. Our members have a range of experience spanning early education to high school, including all types of schools and roles. Four members are BPS graduates, and we have 17 children and grandchildren that have attended or currently attend BPS!
It’s not too late to weigh in! Please join us for our first BTU Community Contract Forum on Monday, December 4 at East Boston High School from 6-8 PM. Download the bilingual (English-Spanish) flyer. There will be two additional community forums on December 11 at the Mildred Avenue School and December 19 (location TBD but will be in Roxbury).
While we are happy to share good news, some of our family and members faced very difficult news right before Thanksgiving. We invite our members to take a stand with teachers, staff, families, and friends affected by last week’s announcement that TPS status for Haitian and Central American immigrants will be ended. Read more from the Boston Globe.
Please join us at a rally to save TPS on Saturday at noon. Our BTU contingency will meet at 11:45 across the street from the State House by the Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial. Please RSVP with Farah at fassiraj@btu.org if you can join us. We will continue to stand with our families, students, and educators who are being treated unjustly.
TODAY — Networking Meet & Greet: All Dorchester, South Boston, and Related Service Providers: Tuesday, November 28
Please join us from 5-7:30 PM at Cesaria Restaurant. See the flyer and RSVP now!
TODAY — BTU Parent Event: Conversation on Inclusion: Tuesday, November 28
Please join us at the BTU today from 4:30-7 PM for a conversation around inclusion in BPS. Download the bilingual (Spanish-English) flyer and RSVP by emailing Jonathan.
Restorative Justice Committee Meeting: Thursday, November 30
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 at the BTU. RSVP by emailing Shanika.
NEW — Join the BTU at Save TPS Rally: Saturday, December 2
Please join BTU and others for the Resist Deportation and Save TPS Rally this Saturday. Please email Farah Assiraj at fassiraj@btu.org if you can join us.
NEW — ELL / SLIFE Committee Meeting: Monday, December 5
Please join us at 4:30 in Room 208 at BINCA. RSVP by emailing Farah. All EL teachers (SEI / ESL / SLIFE / Content with EL Teachers), please respond to this short survey.
Unafraid Educators Committee Meeting: Tuesday, December 5
Please join us at 4:30 at the McKay School in East Boston. RSVP by emailing Jonathan.
Debt Clinic Social for All Educators: December 11
Are you or a family member one of the 44 million people in the United States with student loan debt? Are you struggling to make monthly payments or worrying about student loans following you throughout your life? Are you tired of getting phone calls from loan servicers, or concerned about how to tell scams from genuine help when it comes to debt forgiveness? If you’ve answered “yes,” you need to attend an AFT Student Debt Clinic! Please join us at the BTU at 4:30 on December 11. Register today.
NEW — Save the Date! 2018 BTU Winter Conference: February 10
Please plan to join us from 9 AM to 3 PM at the BTU on Saturday, February 10! This year our theme will be “Leading the Movement with Equity and BTU POWER.” Read more, register to attend, sign up for workshops, and download the flyer!
BTU Political Updates: Upcoming Boston City Council Hearings:
Committee on Education Public Hearing Notice: Docket #0293
Discuss BPS Student Assignment Process on December 5 at 6 PM
Committee on Education Public Hearing Notice: Docket #0196
Regulations & Enforcement of the Residency Policy for BPS Students on December 7 at 10 AM
Joint Committee on Ways & Means & Committee on Education Public Hearing Notice: Docket #1399
FY18 BPS Transportation Budget on December 11 at 10 AM
School Site Council Trainings
There are a variety of upcoming School Site Council trainings:
- SSC 102: Understanding the Budgeting Process — November 30 at the BTU and December 2 at Parent University
- SSC 101: Role and Responsibilities of the SSC — December 2 at Parent University
Refreshments served. Contact Caren at ccarew@btu.org with any questions, and register on My Learning Plan. See the flyer for more.
Community Events of Interest
NEW — 13th Annual Women’s Solidarity Breakfast: December 2
Please join us from 10 AM to 12:30 PM at the Lynn Housing Authority (10 Church Street in Lynn). BTU President Jessica Tang will be the keynote speaker. Free breakfast, childcare, and interpretation provided. See the flyer for more.
Young Worker Conference: December 2
Please join the Greater Boston Labor Council at SEIU1199’s Quincy Union Hall (108 Myrtle Street in Quincy) from 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, December 2. This year’s theme is Grabbing the Torch. To register, please fill out this form and return to GBLC. See the flyer for more.
Education Headliners Breakfast: What Makes a Good School?: December 5
Join EdVestors, Dr. Jack Schneider, Jessica Tang and Donna Muncey to discuss a new approach to measuring school quality from 7:30 to 9 AM on Tuesday, December 5 at Hampshire House. RSVP to Melissa Watton at watton@edvestors.org.
MIE Policy Breakfast: School Autonomy–To What End? December 6
Join us for a panel discussion on the challenges of creating the right conditions for school-level control over people, time, money, and program that lead to improved student performance and greater collective responsibility for student success. Wednesday, December 6 from 7:45-9:30 AM at 1 Lincoln St., 36th Floor. Register today.
Summit for the Public Good: December 9
Join the BTU as a delegate for a gathering led by communities of color, women, and unions committed to building long-term power and resistance. Join us on Saturday, December 9 from 10 AM to 6 PM at Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont Street in Boston. RSVP using this form by December 1 (must be logged in with BTU account) to join us as a BTU delegate.