This week, we will be holding our monthly membership meeting beginning at 4:30 PM at the Boston Teachers Union. Special guests include the President of the Mass Nurses Association, Donna Kelley-Williams, and also presenters about graduate-level course opportunities for educators from Suffolk University and the Gardner Museum’s Thinking Through Art program. See the full agenda. Remember to sign up for childcare if needed.
We have so many upcoming opportunities for you to organize with your fellow BTU educators:
Seeking Volunteers for Making Strides Committee
The BTU has been participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk for over 20 years. Anyone interested in participating in a committee to raise money to find a cure for this disease is invited to contact Brenda Chaney at bchaney@btu.org as soon as possible. The walk this year will be on September 30. More information to follow.
Call for Election Committee Applications: Due Today
As passed by the membership in March, the Election Committee for next year’s election will be selected at next month’s membership meeting. Fifteen members will be elected after submitting a statement of interest to the President, majority vote by the Executive Board and approval by the membership. Please send a statement of interest to Marimar at mescoto@btu.org by today, May 8. Please note: No candidate for any full-time office or position on the Executive Board shall be eligible to serve as a member of the Election Committee. Candidates for delegate, however, are eligible.
Puerto Rican Educators Meeting: Today
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 at the BTU. Email Farah at fassiraj@btu.org to RSVP.
City Education Hearings: Today and Thursday
The city will hold two more hearings regarding education and the city budget. We would love to have BTU member voices heard! See a list remaining hearing times and topics and sign up to testify. Hearings will be held today at 6 PM (School Safety) and Thursday, May 10 at 11 AM (Diversity & Retention). Can’t make it to a hearing? Submit written testimony to be read by BTU Staff! Please email your testimony to Jonathan at jrodrigues@btu.org.
NEW — Sharing Tier 1 and Tier 2 Strategies: May 14
Join us for Finding Opportunity for Struggling Students, K0-2nd grade at the BTU from 4:30-6:30 PM. What has worked? Share your best practices. What has not worked? Share issues to resolve and next steps for the future. RSVP using this form. If you would like to participate in a five-minute presentation of your intervention work, share your idea by emailing Brooke Childs by May 11. We will create time on the agenda for teachers to share best practices.
Haitian Educators Meeting: May 14
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at the BTU. Email Jonathan at jrodrigues@btu.org to RSVP.
Improving High School PD Through Teacher Voice: Kickoff Event May 15
A BTU and BPS collaboration has been awarded a Nellie Mae Education Foundation grant to empower high school educators (and those in 6/7-12 schools) to drive their own interest-based professional learning. Join us on May 15 at 3:30 PM for an introduction to these two exciting projects and to learn how you can get involved. At the event you will have an opportunity to network with other high school educators, find people who share your learning interest, and consider leadership opportunities associated with the grant. This event is open to all educators and school leaders. RSVP today!
NEW — Committee on Teachers in SPC Roles: May 17
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 17 from 4:30-6 PM.
NEW — Unafraid Educators Meeting: May 17
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at the O’Bryant School. Please RSVP by emailing Farah Assiraj at fassiraj@btu.org.
NEW — Restorative Justice Meeting: May 22
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at the BTU. Please RSVP by emailing Farah at fassiraj@btu.org.
NEW — Guidance Counselors Committee Meeting: May 22
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at the BTU. RSVP by emailing Jonathan at jrodrigues@btu.org.
Teacher Feedback Group on Juvenile Justice: May 22
Please join us at 4:30 at the BTU. Massachusetts child-serving agencies and organizations are working on a strategic plan for the juvenile justice system. This strategic plan will lay out a vision for how the system can work better, focus us on improving outcomes for children, and improve racial equity. Please attend and share your perspective and insight as an educator. RSVP with Jonathan at jrodrigues@btu.org and Lee Nave at leenave@cfjj.org.
Teacher Policy Talks: May 31
Get a view of education policy as it really impacts students and schools. Join our 2017-18 AFT/BTU Policy Fellows as they share their research and recommendations on the issues that matter most in their classrooms and schools. This event is open to all. See our flyer for details and RSVP today.
Building Rep Elections Need to be Held by June 1
All Building Rep elections for the upcoming school year must be held and reported to the BTU by June 1, 2018. Please plan to hold your election as soon as possible and give members at least five school days of notice on when and where the election will be held. Report results by downloading a hard copy and sending to the office or filling out the online form.
Pride Parade 2018 on June 9
We are so excited that we will be walking in Pride this year as a group, and we would love for you all to join us. Pride will be taking place on June 9. Please register to join us and contact Derek Arthur at darthur@btu.org with any questions. Download a flyer.
Save the Date: Summer Organizing Institute July 2-3
Registration will open soon for the 2018 Summer Organizing Institute focused on issue-based campaigns to support our contract. The institute will take place at the BTU on July 2 and 3 from 9 AM to 3:30 PM and is open to all BTU members, both active and retired. Childcare and meals will be provided.
Teacher Summer Institute August 20-22: Registration and Call for Proposals
The BTU and BPS will host our 2nd Annual Teacher Summer Institute from August 20-22. ALL EDUCATORS are invited to come learn about the Essentials from fellow educators. Register today! If you have any questions, please email tsi@bostonpublicschools.org. If you would like to present a session at TSI 2018, please review the Call for Session Proposals.
Save the Date: EL Summer Symposium August 23-24
Hosted by the Office of English Learners, the EL Summer Symposium is for all teachers of English Learners. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us this August! If you’re interested in leading a session, please fill out this form. Contact Genevieve McDonough at gmcdonough@bostonpublicschools.org with questions and see the flyer for more.
Community Events of Interest
NEW — Pan Asian Coalition for Education APA Heritage Month event at HGSE
Can Asian American communities identify with the term People of Color (POC)? Join us this Thursday at 6 PM for a panel discussion during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on the contemporary and historical implications of categorizing Asian Americans as POC. This event invites participants to explore how this question plays out on an individual, interpersonal, and institutional level. BTU President Jessica Tang will be on the panel. Learn more and RSVP on the Facebook event.
NEW — Study Abroad with UMass Boston China Comparative Studies Tour
Apply to join the China Comparative Studies Tour this July 5-15! Travel expenses are not covered, but most of other expenses including hotel, food, and local transportation are. Some exciting highlights that you can look forward to include networking and professional exchange opportunities with innovative Chinese educators in Beijing and Chengdu; an opportunity to attend China’s largest educational conference on New Education; guided tours of historical and cultural sites, and much more! Check out this video from the 2016 trip for more details. Read more and apply. Applications sent in before May 11 will be given priority.
Say Yes to COSEBOC!
From May 29-31, more than 400 teacher-leaders, parents, principals, community leaders and youth from across the US are coming to Boston to attend the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color’s (COSEBOC’s) 12th Annual Gathering of Leaders. Learn more about and register.