This Friday, December 16: Welcome Students, Show Solidarity
We are asking BTU members and allies to welcome students into school at the beginning of the school day on Friday, December 16 as a show of BTU solidarity with two goals: 1) to reassure our students that all students are welcome in our schools in light of reports such as this one that indicate “heightened anxiety and concern from vulnerable students about their futures” and 2) to advance our desire to achieve a contract settlement that is good for school and students, and fair to our members. We have negotiated in good faith with the district for 10 months with minimal progress. It’s now time for the district to take our negotiations seriously!
Use this toolkit to help you organize for this action. Materials (stickers, buttons and posters) will be disseminated at the membership meeting on Wednesday, December 14. Please be sure to have a rep from your school there that day! We also highly encourage members to make personalized signs at your school sites as well. Please let us know that your school is participating by signing up here: btu.org/december16. On the day of the action, please use social media to tweet and share: @btu66 #BTUwelcome #unafraidBTU . It continues to be important for ALL of our schools to take part in these non-disruptive demonstrations of teachers standing up for what they believe in, and to continue to advocate for safe spaces for ALL of our students to learn and grow.
If you need support or have questions, please contact a member of the BTU Organizing Team: Jessica Tang, jtang@btu.org or 617-650-0632; Shanika Houlder, shoulder@btu.org or 857-271-6064; Jonathan Rodrigues, jrodirgues@btu.org or 857-271-6063.
Holiday Book Giveaway TODAY from 5-8 PM!
Thanks to a generous donation from Disney via FirstBook and the AFT, our BTU Parent Advisory Committee will be hosting an event TODAY from 5-8 PM at the BTU where we will be giving away 25,000 free Disney books. The reading levels are ages 0-high school and there will be over 70 titles. Please share the flyer with your BTU members and family members and plan to join us tonight!
West Roxbury/Roslindale Meet and Greet this Thursday
A BTU Regional Meet and Greet is coming to the West Roxbury/ Roslindale area! Come and share your thoughts and ideas, ask questions and get answers about the important issues in your classrooms and schools. The West Roxbury/ Roslindale Meet and Greet will take place this Thursday, December 15, from 4-6 PM at Kelleher’s Bar and Grille, 1410 Centre Street in Roslindale. See the flyer for more information.
Restorative Justice Organizing Committee Meeting
Please join us this upcoming Monday, December 19 from 4:30-6:30 PM at the BTU.
Unafraid Educators: Immigrant Rights Committee
Please join us next Tuesday, December 20 from 4-6 PM at the Jobs with Justice office at 3353 Washington Street in Jamaica Plain. Please note location change! If you would like to join the committee listserv, please contact Jonathan at jrodrigues@btu.org.
BTU Immigrant Rights Committee Resources
For educators who are looking for resources and ways to support immigrant and undocumented students, please see this Google Drive folder.