Yesterday, many of our members (like these Snowden educators pictured above) took part in the nationwide call to wear #RedforEd. Last week, teachers in Los Angeles and in Seattle authorized strike votes. We send our solidarity!
Why BTU Membership Matters: Fun Fact of the Week!
Did you know that your health insurance options are negotiated by the BTU in collaboration with the other city unions? The Public Employee Committee (PEC) meets with the city monthly to ensure that BTU members — along with firefighters, police, custodians, librarians and other city employees — have high-quality health insurance at an affordable cost. BTU members comprise more than 40% of the PEC, and our collective advocacy for quality health care makes a difference! If you’re interested in learning more, contact BTU Secretary-Treasurer Betsy Drinan.
Upcoming BTU Events & Committee Meetings
First Membership Meeting of the Year: September 12
Please plan to join us on Wednesday, September 12 beginning at 4:30 for our first membership meeting of the year. Our guest will be Interim Superintendent Laura Perille.
NEW — Walk With and Support the BTU Walkers! Making Strides is September 30
The BTU has been participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk for over 20 years. Please join us for this year’s walk on September 30. Contact Brenda Chaney with questions at bchaney@btu.org, and see the BTU Walkers Team fundraising page, and see Brenda’s personal page.
Back to School Fair and First Book: Saturday, September 22
Sign up for First Book at firstbook.org/aft. Signing up is free and gives you access to free and discounted books as well as other classroom supplies and needs. Signing up new members also helps us to give away over 50,000 books at our annual Back to School Fair! Save the date and plan to join us on September 22! Please contact Brenda atbchaney@btu.org if you’re interested in joining the planning committee for the fair.
NEW — Planning Meeting for Digitizing Day: September 20
If you are interested in helping to plan or learn more about the BTU History Archives Project’s Digitizing Day scheduled for Saturday, November 17 from 10-3 at the BTU hall, please contact Betsy Drinan at bdrinan@btu.org or Natalia Cuadra-Saez at ncuadrasaez@btu.org and please plan to join us for a planning meeting on Thursday, September 20 at 4 PM at the BTU. See our flyer for more. All are welcome.
Community Events & Opportunities of Interest
NEW — Resources at FirstBook for Hispanic Heritage Month!
Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 to October 15, is a great time of the year to explore and celebrate the diversity of Latino culture and experiences with all of the children you serve. First, sign up for FirstBook at firstbook.org/aft. Then check out their amazing selection of books in their Latino Culture section!
NEW — RISE for Climate, Jobs and Justice this Saturday
A growing coalition of climate activists are mobilizing for a large rally at East Boston Memorial Park this Saturday, September 8 from 12-5 PM. Please come out if you can! We’ve seen how storms can deeply impact our city, with low-income families most vulnerable to catastrophe. Organizers are also sharing a petition with their concerns for a new Eversource substation in Eastie.
NEW — National Grid Lockout Continues, Support Back to School Shopping for Families
National Grid workers (United Steel Workers union) are still locked out after two months! This has put workers and their families in a terrible position, losing their healthcare in the meantime. Workers are raising money to help families shop for back to school items for their children. National Grid refuses to negotiate on measures that would pit newly hired workers against veterans, along with cuts to healthcare.
NEW — Free MIT Program for HS Students (Deadline Approaching)
Amphibious Achievement is a unique cost-free program based out of MIT designed for high school students in the Boston and Cambridge communities. Every Sunday, students are invited to MIT to engage in an academic and athletic (rowing/swimming) mentorship program. Each student in the program is paired with an MIT-student mentor, and together they set goals to work towards throughout the semester. Applications for the upcoming fall semester are due on September 15. Students can apply online:amphibious.mit.edu/high-school-application. Contact Franie with questions atfcph@mit.edu or 585-851-1929.
NEW — Grant Applications Open for Safe and Supportive Schools
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced that the Fiscal Year 2019 Safe and Supportive Schools Grant Program, funded through the Safe and Supportive Schools line item, is now accepting proposals for the 2018-19 school year. The application and more information about the grants is available here on DESE’s website. All applications are due by 5 PM on Thursday, September 20. The main priorities for this grant are to ensure that each school creates a safe, positive, healthy, culturally-competent, and inclusive whole-school learning environment; and makes effective use of a system for integrating services and aligning initiatives that promote students’ behavioral health.
Support the O’Bryant’s SIM Club!
After awarding 11 scholarships in June, the BTU Unafraid Educators Scholarship is hoping to fund 11 more in August. The O’Bryant Student Immigrant Movement (SIM) Club has joined in the fundraising efforts. Please help them reach their $2,000 goal by making a tax-deductible donation and sharing this link with your networks.